Angophora subvelutina

Angophora subvelutina is a large tree up to 20 m tall, with a broad-spreading canopy.

It is a widespread tree but is found primarily in coastal subdivisions, growing north from Araluen on the NSW south coast, along the central and north coasts into Queensland to around the Sunshine Coast and inland. It spreads into the Northern Tablelands and north-western slopes of NSW.

It is typically found on deep alluvial soils in areas such as river terraces and plains. It is common along the Hawkesbury/ Nepean around Richmond and Camden in Sydney and similar alluvial habitats.

The bark is fibrous and continuous, grey-brown, resembling a mahogany or stringybark-type eucalypt. However, the broad-leaved canopy and leaf shape is readily identifiable.

The juvenile foliage / coppicing growth is usually broad-lanceolate to oblong and sessile (without petioles), to 6 cm long and 6 cm wide, green to grey-green / blue-green in colour; arranged oppositely.

Angophora spp. have adult leaves that remain opposite to sub-opposite. In this species, they are lanceolate to 10 cm long and up to 5 cm wide with a petiole to 0.2 cm long, green to blue-green. Typically, they are sessile with a cordate base, a useful identification feature. The leaves are not overly odorous and the underside of the leaves are much paler, with a distinctive fine reticulate venation which aids identification. The leaves are also rough (hispid) to touch.

The primary inflorescence of “eucalypts” (Angophora / Corymbia / Eucalyptus) is an umbellaster (an umbel-like cluster of flowers). In Angophora, the flower still retains its small and free petals and sepals. They are not fused into a calyptra / operculum which is shed, as in Eucalyptus and Corymbia.

Flower buds are produced in umbellasters of 7, ovoid to globose to about 7 mm long and to 7 mm wide. The petals are very short – about 3 mm long and wide. The buds are usually green in colour and hispid. Flowering can be observed in November to January and individual flowers are up to 1 to 2 cm across, bright cream to white.

Like Corymbia spp., Angophora spp. have flowers positioned beyond the foliage at the terminals. The umbellasters are produced in compound groups.

The capsules are ovoid with conspicuous ribs and teeth, smaller than those of A. hispida or A. costata, to 10 mm long by 10 mm wide with a flat disc. Fruits can typically be readily found on the ground, assisting identification.