EUCALYPTUS exilis

Typically grow as lignotuberous multi-stemmed mallee 2- 6 metres tall with thin stems with smooth bark. Juvenile plants and regrowth coppice have smooth square-shaped sides and egg-shaped leaves 50–75 mm long.
Flower buds occur in groups of 11 in the leaf axils. Mature buds are oval to pear-shaped and open to display white flowers that occur from August to October..

Occurs naturally in the IBRA Subregions of Katanning, Lesueur Sandplain and Northern Jarrah Forest in Western Australia.

WA Conservation Code:  Priority Four: Rare, Near Threatened.

Prefers well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought resistant.

Grow notes:

Eucalypts germinate readily from seed and are generally considered one of the easiest natives to grow from seed.

Depending on the species Eucalyptus seed comes in various sizes from very fine to several millimetres long. As a rule of thumb, fine seeds should be sown on the surface of a porous mix and not buried. Seeds 1 to 2 mm in diameter can be covered very lightly and seeds from 2 mm up can be sown to a depth of the seed width.

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

1. Sow seed on the surface of a porous seed-raising mix. The basis will lodge in the pores of the mix once watered.
2. Sprinkle a very light covering of the seed-raising mix over the seed if required to hold the seed in place. Do not bury the seed deeply.
3. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
6. Germination generally occurs in around 10-28 days in the correct conditions.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.