Eucalyptus polyanthemos
Silver dollar gum, red box, Red Box
(c) Jenny O'Connell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Silver dollar gum) is a non-native California tree in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by distinctive round/oval silvery leaves unlike typical eucalyptus.
Silver dollar gum is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal regions including San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, southern coastal ranges, southern California, Santa Catalina Island, and western Transverse Ranges at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from December to February, this plant produces white stamens in terminal or axillary panicles with 5 to 7 flowered umbels. Growing up to 25 meters tall with highly variable bark that is rough, fibrous, and persistent or smooth, shedding in gray or tan flakes or irregular strips. Its distinctive round to elliptic leaves range 5 to 10 centimeters long, displaying stunning gray-green, silver, or blue-green coloration that can appear glaucous. The fruit is a small pear to bowl-shaped structure 5 to 6 millimeters long with enclosed valves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinctive round/oval silvery leaves unlike typical eucalyptus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed coastal areas
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to southeastern Australia
Bloom period
Eucalyptus polyanthemos blooms Dec-Feb.
How to tell it apart
vs Corymbia: Check the bud cap texture - Corymbia caps are usually warty or ribbed, Eucalyptus smooth; vs Quercus: Oak flowers are tiny catkins; eucalyptus flowers are showy stamen bursts with caps; vs Melaleuca: Bottlebrush has normal petals in dense spikes; eucalyptus petals fuse into detachable cap; vs Salix: Willow has fuzzy catkins and narrow leaves; eucalyptus has caplike buds and aromatic leaves; vs Acacia: Acacia has yellow fluffy balls and compound leaves; eucalyptus has white bursts and simple leaves
Frequently asked questions
Is Eucalyptus polyanthemos native to California?
No. Eucalyptus polyanthemos is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Eucalyptus polyanthemos bloom?
Eucalyptus polyanthemos blooms Dec-Feb.
What plant family does Eucalyptus polyanthemos belong to?
Eucalyptus polyanthemos is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Eucalyptus.
What habitat does Eucalyptus polyanthemos grow in?
Eucalyptus polyanthemos grows in Uncommon. Disturbed coastal areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.