Eucalyptus erythrocorys

Last updated

Illyarrie
Erythrycorysbranch.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. erythrocorys
Binomial name
Eucalyptus erythrocorys
E. erythrocorys.JPG
E. erythrocorys, field distribution
Flowers and leaves of an Illyarrie (Eucalyptus erythrocorys), Margaret River, Western Australia CSIRO ScienceImage 11601 Flowering gum Margaret River Western Australia.jpg
Flowers and leaves of an Illyarrie (Eucalyptus erythrocorys), Margaret River, Western Australia
Flower buds and opercula Eucalyptus erythrocorys operculum.jpg
Flower buds and opercula
Eucalyptus erythrocorys habit Eucalyptus erythrocorys 1c.JPG
Eucalyptus erythrocorys habit

Eucalyptus erythrocorys, commonly known as illyarrie, [2] red-capped gum or helmet nut gum, [3] is a species of tree or mallee from Western Australia. It has smooth bark, sickle-shaped to curved adult leaves, characteristically large flower buds in groups of three with a bright red operculum, bright yellow to yellowish green flowers and sculptured, bell-shaped fruit.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus erythrocorys is a small tree or a mallee, with an open spreading habit and typically grows to a height of 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft) and a width of 3–6 m (9.8–19.7 ft). The bark is smooth with a creamy colour but can have a few rough brown coloured patches where it persists on the trunk instead of being shed. The smooth bark sheds in short ribbons or small polygonal flakes. Young plants and coppice regrowth have hairy stems, broadly lance-shaped to egg-shaped or heart-shaped leaves 50–130 mm (2.0–5.1 in) long and 30–60 mm (1.2–2.4 in) wide. The adult leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, sickle-shaped, lance-shaped or curved, 90–200 mm (3.5–7.9 in) and 12–30 mm (0.47–1.18 in) wide on a flattened or channelled petiole 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long. They are thick, the same glossy green colour on both sides. [4] [5] [6] [7]

The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of three on a peduncle 12–26 mm (0.47–1.02 in) long, the individual buds on a pedicel 2–10 mm (0.079–0.394 in) long. Mature buds are oval, 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) long and 20–26 mm (0.79–1.02 in) wide with a flattened, bright red operculum that has four lobes. The flowers are bright yellow to greenish and appear between February and April and have the stamens arranged in four bundles. The fruit is a woody, broadly bell-shaped capsule 28–40 mm (1.1–1.6 in) long and 30–55 mm (1.2–2.2 in) wide. Sometimes the fruit are so numerous that they weigh the tree down, giving it a weeping habit. [4] [5] [3] [8]

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus erythrocorys was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1860 in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae . [9] The type specimen was collected by Augustus Frederick Oldfield in 1858 from along the Murchison River and is cited as Ad flumen Murchison et sinum squalorum versus in planitibus petraeis. [10]

The species is a member of the sub-genus Eudesmia, a group that has stamens in four bundles each at the corner of the squarish flower. It is in a sub-group that includes E. pleurocarpa . [3]

The species name erythrocorys is taken from the Greek words erythro meaning "red" and korys meaning "helmet" in reference to the bright red operculum. [3] The common name Illyarrie, is the Noongar peoples' name for the plant. [2] [11]

Distribution

The species has a limited distribution north of Perth where it is found on undulating limestone ridges and outcrops growing in sandy alkaline soils near Dongara as well as north of Kalbarri National Park. [3] It is also found on sandy plains, particularly the Geraldton Sandplains between Shark Bay and Jurien. [12]

Conservation status

Illyarie is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [7]

Cultivation

The plant is sold commercially in seed form [13] or as tube stock [14] and is a popular species throughout Australia. The seeds germinate readily. [8] It can become untidy but is easily kept in shape with a light pruning. The colourful flowers make it appealing to nectar loving birds. [12] The trees are known to shed limbs as a result of the weight of the fruit they carry. [6] It is reasonably fast growing and both drought and smog resistant [15] but can be frost tender. [8] It prefers a position in full sun, in well-drained soils and can be grown in containers and in coastal locations. The flowers are used in wreaths. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Corymbia ficifolia</i> Species of plant

Corymbia ficifolia, commonly known as red flowering gum, is a species of small tree that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, egg-shaped to broadly lance-shape adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, bright red, pink or orange flowers and urn-shaped fruit. It has a restricted distribution in the wild but is one of the most commonly planted ornamental eucalypts.

<i>Eucalyptus microcorys</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus microcorys, commonly known as tallowwood, is a species of medium to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or string bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven or nine, white to lemon-yellow flowers and conical fruit. It grows in forests near the coast of Queensland and New South Wales.

<i>Eucalyptus cladocalyx</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus cladocalyx, commonly known as sugar gum, is a species of eucalypt tree found in the Australian state of South Australia. It is found naturally in three distinct populations - in the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and on Kangaroo Island.

<i>Eucalyptus forrestiana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus forrestiana, commonly known as fuchsia gum or fuchsia mallee, is a species of small tree or mallet and is endemic to an area near Esperance, Western Australia. It has smooth grey bark, narrow oblong to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds that are square in cross-section, red at maturity and arranged singly in leaf axils, yellow flowers and four-angled, winged fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus cloeziana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus cloeziana, commonly known as Gympie messmate or dead finish, is a species of tree that is endemic to Queensland. It has rough, flaky to fibrous bark on its trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves that are much paler on the lower side, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus youngiana</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus youngiana, commonly known as large-fruited mallee, Ooldea mallee and yarldarlba, is a species of mallee, less commonly a tree, that is native to arid and semi-arid areas of southern Western Australia and South Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on some or all of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, red, pink or bright yellow flowers and short, broad, conical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus megacarpa</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus megacarpa, commonly known by its Noongar name of bullich, is a species of robust mallee or small to medium-sized tree with a scattered distribution in the forests of the south-west of Western Australia. It has smooth bark throughout, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and cup-shaped, bell-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus eudesmioides</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus eudesmioides, commonly known as mallalie, desert gum or mallabie is a species of mallee that is endemic to Western Australia. It is a rounded, bushy mallee with smooth bark, egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaves arranged in opposite pairs, club-shaped flower buds arranged in groups of three, whitish flowers and cylindrical to barrel-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus salmonophloia</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus salmonophloia, commonly known as salmon gum, wurak or weerluk or woonert or marrlinja. is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth bark, narrow lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and thirteen, creamy white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus luehmanniana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus luehmanniana, commonly known as the yellow top mallee ash, is a species of mallee that is endemic to a small area in New South Wales. It has smooth white bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven or more, white flowers and cup-shaped, urn-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit. It has a restricted distribution on poor, rocky soils near Sydney.

<i>Eucalyptus planchoniana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus planchoniana, commonly known as the needlebark stringybark or bastard tallowwood is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, cylindrical or barrel-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus baileyana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus baileyana, commonly known as Bailey's stringybark, is a tree endemic to near-coastal areas of eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy bark on its trunk and main branches, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers with stamens in four bundles and urn-shaped to more or less spherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus cooperiana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus cooperiana, commonly known as the many-flowered mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to an area along the south coast of Western Australia. It is described as being "of striking appearance by reason of its smooth, white bark and acutely angled branchlets". It has lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and thirteen or more, creamy yellow flowers and urn-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus gamophylla</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus gamophylla, commonly known as warilu, blue-leaved mallee, twin-leaf mallee, twin-leaved mallee or blue mallee, is a species of mallee that is native to Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. It usually has smooth bark, mostly only juvenile leaves arranged in opposite pairs, flower buds in groups of three, whitish flowers and cylindrical to barrel-shaped fruit that is four-sided in cross-section.

<i>Eucalyptus longicornis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus longicornis, commonly known as red morrel, morryl, poot or pu, is a species of large tree that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has rough, fibrous, fissured bark on the trunk, smooth greyish bark above, flower buds in groups of seven or more, white flowers and shortened spherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus nutans</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus nutans, commonly known as red-flowered moort, is a species of mallet that is endemic to a small area near the south coast of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, oblong to almost round adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, red or pinkish flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus oldfieldii</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oldfieldii, commonly known as Oldfield's mallee, is a species of mallee or tree that is endemic to Western Australia. It has a sprawling or spreading habit, mostly smooth greyish or brownish bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and conical, cup-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus buprestium</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus buprestium, also known as the apple mallee or ball-fruited mallee, is a small mallee that is endemic to an area along the south coast of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and almost spherical fruit with a small opening.

<i>Eucalyptus doratoxylon</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus doratoxylon, commonly known as the spearwood mallee, spearwood or geitch-gmunt in Noongar language is a species of mallee that is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth, powdery white bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves mostly arranged in opposite pairs, flower buds in groups of seven, white to pale yellow flowers and pendulous, more or less spherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus raveretiana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus raveretiana, commonly known as the black ironbox, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Queensland. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth pale grey bark above, lance-shaped leaves, flower buds in groups of seven on a branched peduncle, white flowers and small, hemispherical fruit.

References

  1. "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  2. 1 2 Howard, Bob. "Noongar names for plants". Forest Department of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Australian Native Plants Society. 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. 1 2 Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Illyarrie Eucalyptus erythrocorys" (PDF). Native Plant Notes. Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  8. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Australian Seed. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  9. "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". APNI. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  10. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1860). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  11. "Noongar glossary; Noongar Words and Definitions". Government of Western Australia. 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-06. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Plant of the Month — March 2004 Eucalyptus erythrocorys F.Muell. — Illyarrie". Florabase. Western Australian Herbarium. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  13. "Eucalyptus erythrocorys Illyarrie". Nindethana Australian Seeds. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  14. "Eucalyptus erythrocorys 'Red Cap Gum'". Ellenby Tree Farm. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  15. 1 2 "Eucalyptus erythrocorys". Australian Native Plants. Retrieved 4 December 2017.

Further reading