Myrtaceae

microcarpa — from Greek micros, small, and carpos, fruit, referring to small fruit.

Often confused with White Box (E. albens). Grey Box has greener and narrower leaves than White Box, and smaller buds and fruit.

Widespread west of the Hume Highway on lower slopes and plains country.

Qld, NSW, Vic, SA.

Grassy woodland on moderately fertile loamy soils.

Tree to 25 m high. Open crown of dull olive-green leaves. Grey, fibrous-flaky ‘box’ bark with whitish patches, upper branches smooth-barked.

Heavy loamy soils. Tolerates moderately alkaline soil, frost, wind, infrequent flooding and extended dry periods.

Long-lived. Moderate growth rate.

White, Feb-Jun. Flowers freely each year.

Throughout year, as seeds generally retained. Good crops may be irregular.

From seed (± 729 seeds per gram).

From seed, particularly in absence of competitive exotic grasses or weeds, during wet summers. Coppices vigorously from low stumps, and regrowth is long-lived. Establishes well when direct seeded.

Useful medium-level cover in windbreaks. Good shade due to spreading crown.

Useful in gully erosion control behind fibrous-rooted understorey species.

Excellent habitat. Flowers are a food source for Sugar Gliders, Squirrel Gliders, native birds and insects. Insect-eating birds attracted. Hollows are nesting and refuge sites for native birds and mammals. Critical habitat for the Grey-crowned Babbler, Stone Curlew and goannas.

Very good.

Pale, very durable, tough and strong. Density about 1100 kg/m3. Used for posts, poles, fencing and heavy construction. Interesting furniture timber, although difficult to work.

No outstanding features, although may be suitable for larger gardens and parks.

Leaves produce a range of dyes depending on mordants used.