Fauna
Plant

Flat-topped Yate

Eucalyptus occidentalis

Also known as Swamp Yate

Flat-topped yate is a rugged evergreen tree native to southwest Western Australia, notable for its rough, fibrous basal bark giving way to smooth, pale upper limbs. It thrives in seasonally wet depressions, clay flats, and saline margins where few other large trees can survive. Dense clusters of creamy-white to pale yellow flowers bloom in profusion from spring to autumn, providing an essential nectar source for local honeyeaters and native insects.

EvergreenSalt-tolerantFlowering Tree
Flat-topped Yate reference1 / 7
(c) Ann Bentley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ann Bentley · cc-by
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Psyllids
  • Borers
  • Uraba lugens caterpillars
ThreatsAgricultural land clearing, altered hydrology, rising salinity, and grazing by livestock
HabitatsSeasonally wet flats, salt lake margins, clay pans, and low-lying alluvial plains
Life span100–250 years
Classification
  1. OrderMyrtales
  2. FamilyMyrtaceae
  3. GenusEucalyptus
  4. SpeciesEucalyptus occidentalis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Foliage contains concentrated essential oils; toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.
What to notice
Look for a spreading canopy, rough dark bark on the lower trunk, and smooth grey limbs growing in low clay plains.
Support conservation
Avoid compacting the soil around root systems and leave seed capsules undisturbed to support natural recruitment.
Responsible observation
  • Bud Identification: Look for prominent, horn-shaped opercula capping the cylindrical flower buds.
  • Habitat Clues: Seek mature specimens along coastal riverbeds and the edges of salt lakes.
Related species
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