''Eucalyptus sclerophylla'', known as the scribbly gum, is a tree native to eastern Australia. Very similar to the related Scribbly Gum (''E. haemastoma''), a better known tree. The best way of distinguishing the species is the smaller hemispherical to pear shaped gumnuts of ''Eucalyptus sclerophylla'', being 0.6 cm by 0.6 cm in size. Flower buds are also smaller. ''sclerophylla'' literally means ''hard leaf''. Both species have hard leaves, but Eucalyptus sclerophylla's leaves are particularly hard edged. Occurring on the poorer sandstone soils in mid to high rainfall areas. Around

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

it often occurs on the higher ridges, where the soil is drier and less fertile. It ranges north from

Jervis Bay Jervis Bay () is a oceanic bay and village in the Jervis Bay Territory and on the South Coast (New South Wales), South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. A area of land around the southern headland of the bay, known as the Jervis Bay Terri ...

, to near the Watagan district near

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area ...

. A small to medium-sized tree, up to 20 metres tall, usually seen around 6 metres tall. Smooth barked, with shedding bark of white or grey. Scribbles often found on the bark. Leaves 5 to 16 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide. Almost a glossy green, on both sides of the leaf. White flowers form between November and February.

References

* * A Field Guide to Eucalypts - Brooker & Kleinig volume 1, page 124 *
Trees for New South Wales: A Handbook of Trees and Shrubs Suitable for Planting in N.S.W.
'. The Commission; 1976. {{Taxonbar, from=Q5405705 sclerophylla Myrtales of Australia Flora of New South Wales