There are hundreds of species, similar ones often distinguished by details of parts such as fruits, flowers and leaves. Looking at internet photos alone may not produce the same species, or result in a false identification - unless species of interest is very distinctive and commonly planted. Comparing parts of tree being wondered about with those in a nearby labeled collection might turn up a useful lead. Always follow up with reading serious written descriptions.

Hello, My husband and I bought a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus tree and planted it in our yard last July. It started growing immediately, and had been flourishing up until the past month. It probably grew about 2-3 feet from the time we planted it last year, but it has started losing its original leaves. It's still sprouting and growing the new spring leaves at the top, but it has lost almost all of the bottom leaves. Is this normal? I'm afraid that we're doing something wrong, and I really don't want to lose this tree...it's absolutely beautiful. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

I have a similar issue; as many people say, you need something that can withstand root competition and at least partial shade, as well as considerable drought, since there's little water in NE LA County, even less on a slope, and the eucalyptus will suck up most of what there is. If the eucalyptus are on your property, you could do what I did and have an arborist remove some limbs to let some more light into the understory. If you do, make sure you're ready to plant right away, because anything you don't plant, the weeds will colonize. I assure you that Scotch broom has no trouble living underneath eucalyptus. My native suggestions, all on Brenda's list: -toyon (heteromeles arbutifolia). This is the "California Holly" after which "Hollywood" is named. -coffeeberry (rhamnus californica). Very nice, evergreen, stands up to anything. -oregon grape (mahonia aquifolium). Deer won't touch it, yellow flowers, blue berries. It's not on the list, but I'll bet salvia spathacea (hummingbird sage) would work too. All of these will attract birds and butterflies like crazy. In addition, the Theodore Payne society (www.theodorepayne.org) sells seed mixes appropriate for various situations; it's a lot cheaper to buy and sow the seeds than set out one-gallon plants on a slope.

I can't recommend a ground cover, but what I'd do is take a photo with you to a local nursery and ask them for recommendations. If absolutely nothing will grow (I'm sure something will), you could cover the area with bark and set a container with flowers in it there.