Oral Presentation Australian Native Plants Society Biennial Conference 2026

Eucalypts of the red centre- Mparntwe (142224)

Warwick Varley 1
  1. Allied Services NSW, Jamberoo, NSW, Australia

Central Australia extends across portions of five of Australia’s seven states and territories and supports more than sixty species of Eucalyptus. This region forms the core of the Australian arid zone.

Within this landscape lies the Red Centre, covering nearly half of the Northern Territory and widely recognised as the epicentre of Central Australia. It is characterised by vast desert plains, weathered ranges, and an ancient and enduring cultural significance.

Close to the geographical centre of mainland Australia—the Lambert Centre—is Mparntwe (pronounced m’barn-twa), also known as Alice Springs. Often described as the heart of the Red Centre, Mparntwe supports up to ten species of Eucalyptus.

In this presentation, these species are discussed with reference to their key identifying features and intrinsic ecological characteristics.