This summer flowering tree occurs in Cape York Peninsula on flat or gently undulating terrain where it attains a height of about 10 metres.

Molloy Box - Eucalyptus leptophieba - Photo by Bill Hinton

It is not a tall tree by eucalyptus standards. In this habitat it forms a high percentage of the vegetation and is often accompanied by Melaleuca Viridflora. Together they are an important food source for the nectar eating wildlife in the area. From sunrise to sunset several species of birds feed upon the bounty but the RAINBOW LORIKEET (Trichoglossus Haematodus) must be the most prolific and noisiest of all.

MOLLOY BOX with its spreading crown deserves a place in tropical gardens, especially in the drier regions. The "gum-nuts" which take about twelve months to mature contain the very fine seed.