Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands

[3] "Mallee" refers to the growth habit of a group of (mainly) eucalypt species that grow to a height of 2–9 m (6 ft 7 in – 29 ft 6 in), have many stems arising from a lignotuber and have a leafy canopy that shades 30–70% of the ground.

The term is also applied to a vegetation association where these mallee eucalypts grow, on land that is generally flat without hills or tall trees and where the climate is semi-arid.

[6] The most extensive area of this vegetation association in Australia today is found in the Great Victoria Desert.

Prior to 1750, the largest area is estimated to have occurred in the Murray-Darling basin.

In South Australia, clearing of the mallee started in the late 19th century, following the introduction of the stump-jump plough in 1876.