About Eucalyptus kruseana F.Muell.
Eucalyptus kruseana F.Muell. is a straggly mallee. It has smooth coppery to dark grey bark that is shed in ribbons, with rough, fibrous bark near the base. It typically grows to a height of 2–3.5 m (6 ft 7 in – 11 ft 6 in), and has white, waxy branchlets. Juvenile leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, are sessile, and range from heart-shaped to more or less round. They are 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) long and wide, and are the same dull grey colour on both surfaces. Adult leaves rarely develop in the tree's crown. Flower buds are arranged in groups of seven on an unbranched peduncle 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long, with each bud borne on a pedicel 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long. Mature buds are oval, glaucous, 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide, and have a conical operculum. Greenish yellow flowers mainly appear from June to September, though flowers have also been observed in February, March and May. The fruit is a barrel-shaped to cup-shaped woody capsule. This species has a restricted distribution, found on granite hills and among granite outcrops east and southeast of Kalgoorlie, from Cardunia Rock north of Karonie to Binyarinyinna Rock and east of Higginsville in southeastern Western Australia. It usually grows on or near granite rock, in sandy-loam soils. Like most mallees, this small tree naturally forms multiple stems from a lignotuber, but it often forms a single stem when grown in cultivation. It is commonly called book-leaf mallee, and is sold commercially as both tube stock and seed. It is tolerant of drought and frost, and prefers a full sun position. It is sold as an ornamental plant suited to both small and large gardens, and is used for privacy screening, shade, hedging, or as a feature plant. It can withstand hard pruning to improve its shape.
