The mighty #RiverRedGum, #Eucalyptus camaldulensis, is our most widespread eucalypt, ranging across the entire continent, excepting Tas & the southwestern & northwestern plateaus of South & Western Australia.
A thread w a #ScienceAtHome activity. 1/x
Map: https://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Eucalyptus-camaldulensis/index.html

Across this range, the #RiverRedGum is highly variable in form and genetics and there are seven recognised subspecies! Do you know which one lives near you?
#EucBeaut #ScienceAtHome #ozplants #botany #naturalhistory 2/x

If you see #RiverRedGums during exercise, see if you can identify which of the seven subspecies you share your environment with.
How, you ask? By studying their flower buds, particularly the opercula (bud caps!). These ones are from E. camaldulensis subsp. camaldulensis! 3/x

Take some quick photos of the buds on the #redgums you pass to compare at home against these bud cap shapes...
acuta (left image) has elongated cone-shaped opercula: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._acuta.htm
minima (right) has egg-shaped to conical opercula: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._acuta.htm 4/x

Subspecies obtusa, arida and refulgens have obtuse or rounded opercula.
arida (1st image) ovoid (egg-shaped) to round: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._arida.htm
obtusa (2nd) ovoid to round but pointed: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._obtusa.htm
refulgens (3rd) ovoid to globular: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._refulgens.htm 5/x

Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. camaldulensis has rounded to ovoid buds with a 'beak' or 'nipple'. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._camaldulensis.htm 6/x

Finally, Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. simulata has long, horn-like opercula that can be slightly hooked. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org:8080/euclid/data/02050e02-0108-490e-8900-0e0601070d00/media/Html/Eucalyptus_camaldulensis_subsp._simulata.htm 7/x

If you are not lucky enough to have #RiverRedGums on your property, or on your regular exercise route, you can also suss out which subspecies you have around by checking out the distribution maps on each of the pages linked above.
DO NOT TRAVEL to look for eucs. #StayAtHome ! 8/x

We'd love to hear which subspecies lives near you, and the connection you feel to this #tree from your home. If you need help with identification, comment on this thread with a picture of the buds and the region it was seen in.
Our local subspecies is camaldulensis! #ozplants 9/9