14 Eucalyptus badjensis can be mistaken for Eucalyptus smithii in the field because the bark and adult leaves of both species look similar. However, the following characteristics can help distinguish them: • Adult leaves: E. smithii adult leaves have a distinct, strong, crisp, herbaceous scent when crushed, which is partly why the species is harvested for essential oils. E. badjensis leaves generally lack this strong aroma. • Inflorescence (flower bud clusters): E. badjensis flower buds are arranged in groups of three, whereas E. smithii flower buds are typically in groups of seven (Figure 1 and 2). • Juvenile leaves: E. badjensis juvenile leaves are sessile (stalkless, attaching directly to the stem), lanceolate in shape (narrow, longer than wide, tapering to a pointed tip, and usually widest below the middle), and arranged in opposite pairs that persist for many pairs along the stem. E. smithii juvenile leaves are also sessile and lanceolate, but the opposite arrangement persists only for a few pairs, after which the leaves become alternate (Figure 3) Morphological identification of E. smithii versus E. badjensis Figure 1 E. badjensis flower buds Figure 2 E. smithii flower buds Figure 3 Juvenile E. smithii alternate (decussate) leaves Although the characteristics outlined above can assist in distinguishing E. smithii from E. badjensis, accurate identification in the field remains challenging. Features, such as flower buds, only develop several years after planting and may not be present before felling, while differences in juvenile leaves can be subtle and difficult to assess reliably. As a result, reliance on visual identification alone is often insufficient. For E. smithii and E. badjensis, the most important control measure is therefore sound record-keeping. Plantation managers should maintain strict records of species planted within each compartment and avoid blanking or ‘filling in’ with species other than those originally intended for that compartment.
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