Rock mallee grows on shallow soil on limestone ridges, up to a height of 4 m. It is quite rare. Its species name comes from the Greek petra “rock” and Latin -ensis “native of”. It has smooth grey to coppery new bark, revealed in autumn when the old grey bark is shed in long strips. Twigs and leaf stalks are orange-red. Flowering occurs in autumn.
Ref:
“Leaf and branch: trees and tall shrubs of Perth” by Robert Powell. Published by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, 2009.
“The special eucalypts of Perth and the South-West” by Malcolm E. French and Dean Nicolle. F & N Publications.
“Bushwalks in the south-west”. Department of Conservation and Land management 1997.