Narrow-leaved Peppermint - native (Eucalyptus radiata)

Narrow-leaved Peppermint is common in wetter forests e.g. near Daylesford and Trentham. It grows in the Faraday-Elphinstone districts. It can grow to a large, tall tree.

Recognise Narrow-leaved Peppermint by:

• the finely fibrous bark (similar to that of box eucalypts).
• the narrow (less than 2cm wide), paired, tapering juvenile leaves
• the numerous oil dots in the leaves. The leaves have a strong eucalyptus smell if crushed.
• the radiating clusters of buds and fruit (hence the scientific name radiata).

The juvenile leaves of Narrow-leaf Peppermint resemble those of Manna Gums. Peppermint leaves have more oil-dots and are more strongly scented than those of Manna Gums.

Some forms of Broad-leaved Peppermint have (despite the common name) narrow leaves. The buds and fruit of Broad-leaved Peppermint are larger than those of Narrow-leaveed Peppermint, the juvenile leaves are much broader (3cm or more), and the trees are usually less tall.

1: Juvenile leaves are narrow, and in opposite, stalkless pairs. Enfield. 2: Trunk with finely-fibrous bark. Faraday. 3: Narrow-leaved Peppermint. Wombat Forest. In damp conditions, lichen on the trunks is common.

4: Narrow-leaved Peppermint copse. Faraday. 5: Peppermint forest in mist. Wombat Forest.

6: Roadside tree. Pollards Road. 7. Narrow-leaved Peppermint. Burgoynes Road, Faraday.