Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
red cap gum
Family Name:
Myrtaceae
Botanical Name:
Eucalyptus erythrocorys
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Eucalyptus erythrocorys is a small, fast-growing woody evergreen with an open spreading habit, sprouting from single or multiple trunks. This tree often develops into a small, open-canopied mallee. Its height reaches between 25 to 30 feet, having an average spread of 20 feet. 90 percent of its shallow root system may be found in the top 12 inches of soil. Bark is smooth and a striking cream color with thin brown bark hanging loose on its surface. Leaves are lanceolate or falcate, up to 10 inches long, slightly glaucous, and have red petioles. Flowering occurs in summer and late fall. At its earliest stage of flowering, a bright red operculum remains attached to the flower bud, a unique feature for the genus Eucalyptus. When the operculum is released, perianths emerge as stamens and turn bright yellow as spent stamens move outward, exposing a now receptive stigma. These large flowers are borne in pairs of two or three per axillary bud. Flowers give way to woody, pedicellate, broadly campanulate fruit (1, 2).
Compound:
Euc ery
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Australasia
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
E. erythrocorys is one of many gum trees native to Western Australia and is distributed in North of Perth, Dongara, and Kalbarri National Park. It is commonly found growing on limestone soils and is well adapted to alkaline conditions in Arizona (3).
Cultivation Notes:
The habitat of the Red Cap Gum encompasses regions with an elevation below 2,400 feet, tolerating extreme aridity and saline soils, conditions typical of coastal regions. This tree prefers full sun, and well-drained soils that are alkaline to slightly acidic. Overall, they grow rather effectively in poor soil conditions and reseed rapidly in warm climates. Propagation is best done by seed and should be pruned while young to encourage upright growth and to elevate the canopy (4).
Ethnobotany:
Red Cap Gum has been used worldwide as a landscape ornamental and accent tree in residential areas and gardens. Given this species high tolerance for drought, it has also been used for desert rehabilitation and is a rich source of nectar and pollen for bees in Israel during July and September when sources are scarce (5).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
