ironbark

[ ahy-ern-bahrk ]

/ ˈaɪ ərnˌbɑrk /

any of the various Australian eucalyptuses having a hard, solid bark.

Origin of ironbark

First recorded in 1905–10; iron + bark²

IRONBARK was the codename for just one source: Oleg Penkovsky.

The Spy Who Saved The World—Then Tried To Destroy It |Jeremy Duns |November 3, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Pressed, Carter replied that the agency had drawn on a number of sources, “including our IRONBARK sources.”

The Spy Who Saved The World—Then Tried To Destroy It |Jeremy Duns |November 3, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
To the northward, it opens into fine gentle Ironbark slopes and ridges, which form the heads of the Isaacs.

Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia |Ludwig Leichhardt
On these hills grew the varieties of eucalypti known in the colony, such as ironbark, bluegum, and stringybark.

Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Vol 2 (of 2) |Thomas Mitchell

The narrow-leaved Ironbark had disappeared with the primitive rocks; the moment sandstone commenced, stringy-bark took its place.

Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia |Ludwig Leichhardt
The forest consists of ironbark and acacia; grass everywhere abundant.

Journals of Australian Explorations |A C and F T Gregory
Then of a truth you will long for ironbark, or even homely oak.

The Ancient Allan |H. Rider Haggard

ironbark

/ (ˈaɪənˌbɑːk) /

any of several Australian eucalyptus trees that have hard rough bark