Population variation and conservation status of a rare Tasmanian endemic, Eucalyptus cordata

Eucalyptus cordata (heart-leaved silvergum) is a regional endemic confined to the southeast of Tasmania. It is placed in the informal Subseries Cordatinae (Subgenus Symphyomyrtus; section Viminales) by Pryor and Johnson (1971). It is broadly grouped with other endemics such as E. gunnii, E. morrisbyi and E. urnigera as well as with mainland species such as E. pulverulenta and E. cinerea (pryor and Johnson 1971). Affinities to E. urnigera (Mueller1880; Brett 1938) and E. pulverulenta (Mueller 1880; Baker 1902; Maiden 1913; Hall and Brooker 1972) have been specifically noted. E. cordata is planted widely as an ornamental. It is usually homoblastic and the persistent, highly glaucous, cordate juvenile foliage is a distinctive feature of the species (Hall and Brooker 1972).