Eucalyptus ambigua is not the correct name for the Smithton Peppermint of Tasmania

The name Eucalyptus ambigua DC. has been suggested as the correct name for a Tasmanian endemic eucalypt, the Smithton Peppermint (herein referred to as E. nitida Hook.f.), based on the non-glaucous character of the type specimen. However, the type of E. ambigua is inconsistent with other specimens of E. nitida housed at the Tasmanian Herbarium, as its fruit is outside the range of sizes observed on E. nitida. Its fruit size, non-glaucous character and provenance suggest the strong possibility that E. ambigua represents a hybrid or clinal form involving E. tenuiramis Miq. and E. nitida. Given the high level of uncertainty in determining its exact identity, E. ambigua should not be considered an older name for the Smithton Peppermint.