The Eucalypts are an iconic group of plants that can be complicated to identify correctly. Paul Gadsby has spent five years researching, growing, photographing, and writing about them to demystify the group. He hopes that his book will provide a resource for bushwalkers, plant lovers and botanists to learn and appreciate these fascinating plants and encourage their conservation.

Robyn had a chat with Paul to discuss how his interest in Eucalypts was ignited along with his love for our unique ecosystems and plants.

Can you remember when your love of plants 'blossomed'?

I grew up in New Zealand and my Mum loved large gardens, so she recruited her three sons at 50c an hour to do the labouring for her. Some may call that child labour, but I loved being outdoors. One hundred years earlier I could have been down a chimney!

I was always entranced by bushland and rivers as a youngster and was out there whenever I could be. At University I began my Environmental Science degree, but I had a particular lecturer who really ignited my interest in Ecosystems and the interrelationships within them. I developed quite an obsession with ferns, something I would like to explore more, perhaps after my Eucalypts work.

What do you love about Eucalypts?

Their diversity and importance for animals. They are among the tallest flowering trees in the world but also small, one-metre-tall Mallees. They can range in habitats from rainforest margins to desert edges to alpine regions. They are an important food source and habitat for a myriad of animals, particularly threatened species such as Koalas, Yellow Bellied and Greater Gliders, Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and Glossy Black Cockatoo, on the Central Coast region alone!

What was the first Eucalypt you studied, and which is your favourite?

Angophora costata, the magnificent Sydney Red Gum. It’s beautiful, twisted branches and varying bluish to pinkish bark at different times of the year make it a standout of the Sydney region.

Choosing a favourite is like picking a favourite child! Okay, yes, we’ve all done it! Eucalyptus paniculata, the Grey Ironbark….. at the moment! It has that wonderful chunky bark and can tower above wet forests with rainforest species below.

If you could be a Eucalypt, what would you be?

Eucalyptus cunninghamii – the Cliff Mallee Ash. Its niche is to sit on cliff lines at fabulous lookouts in the Blue Mountains area and enjoy the fabulous scenery.

Are there other species of plants that you would be interested in researching?

Absolutely! As mentioned, Ferns are close to my heart, I would love to research them as deeply as I have the Eucalypts. At the moment I’m also spending time on Sedges and Rushes, another group that people often find difficult.

What has been the most pleasurable thing about compiling your book?

The field work has been enjoyable, spending many a night camping beneath the trees I’m studying. The area the book covers is from Newcastle and south to Nowra, including the Blue Mountains, so I’ve covered a few kilometres! I’ve also enjoyed taking lots of macro shots of the 115 species and compiling them in a way to best display their identifying features. Plus, I’ve developed tables and keys to highlight important features and provide shortcuts.

Paul is a botanist, restoration ecologist and TAFE teacher. He is passionate about using education as a way, to connect people with plants and conserve our unique and fragile ecosystems.

Paul will be delivering some Eucalyptus identification workshops as part of our 2023 Environmental Volunteer Program Christmas Party at Central Coast Wetlands.

Thanks for your time Paul!

This article was written by Robyn Urquhart, Environmental Volunteer Program Officer.