Corymbia eximia
Encyclopedia
Corymbia eximia, commonly known as the Yellow Bloodwood, is a bloodwood
native to New South Wales
. It occurs around the Sydney Basin
often in high rainfall areas on shallow sandstone soils on plateaux or escarpments, in fire prone areas. Growing as a gnarled tree to 20 m (70 ft), it is recognisable by its distinctive yellow-brown tessellated bark. The greyish green leaves are thick and veiny, and lanceolate spear- or sickle-shaped. The cream flowerheads grow in panicles in groups of seven and appear in spring. Known for many years as Eucalyptus eximia, the yellow bloodwood was transferred into the new genus Corymbia
in 1995 when it was erected by Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson. It is still seen under this name in some works.
and Ferdinand Bauer
between September and October 1803, the yellow bloodwood was described as Eucalyptus eximia by Johannes Conrad Schauer
in 1843. The species name is derived from the Latin
adjective eximius "exceptional" or "uncommon", and might related to the distinctive and unusual appearance of either the bark or flowers of the tree. In 1995, the Eucalyptus genus was split into three genera by Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson
, with E. eximia transferred into Corymbia
. Hill and Johnson classified it in the section Ochraria along with eleven other species, this group known as "yellow bloodwoods". A combined analysis of nuclear rDNA
(ETS + ITS) and morphological characters published in 2009 found this group to be monophyletic, and it was renamed section Naviculares within the subgenus Blakella (the name originally coined by Maiden in 1929 as Eucalyptus series Naviculares), with C. eximia as the type species
.
The common name is derived from the gum veins in the wood.
s, the buds on short stalks (pedicellate) initially measuring 1.3 to 1.5 cm (0.5-0.6 in) long by 0.6 cm (0.2 in) wide and pear- or club-shaped. The gumnuts are the typical urn shape of most bloodwoods. The seeds are without wings, and are mature by December and remain on the tree for up to 16 months.
Seedlings have opposite leaves for the first three six pairs, and these are elliptic to lanceolate in shape. These are followed by oblong to lanceolate juvenile leaves which become more alternate along the stems. A light blue-green in colour, these measure 7.5 to 12.5 cm (3-5 in) long by 2.5-3.2 cm (1-1.3 in) wide.
, it is common on sandstone plateaux and escarpments in the vicinity of the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers, and lower Blue Mountains, particularly on western aspects of slopes. It is seen up to altitudes of 500 metres, with annual rainfall of 730-1800 mm. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest on sandstone soils, associated with such species as red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera
), dwarf apple (Angophora hispida
), smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata
), narrow-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus sparsifolia
), white stringybark (E. globoidea
), sydney peppermint (E. piperita
), grey gum (E. punctata), scribbly gums (E. haemastoma and E. racemosa
) and black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis
).
(Pteropus poliocephalus) eats the flowers. It is highly sensitive to the white leaf and shoot blight (Sporothrix pitereka)
A smaller form, "nana" has been propagated and used as a garden or street tree.
Bloodwood
Bloodwood has several meanings. It is the name of a dark red wood, from South America. It is also a common name for several unrelated groups of trees, for instance:* Brosimum paraense, a tree found in Central and South America...
native to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. It occurs around the Sydney Basin
Sydney Basin
The Sydney Basin is a sedimentary basin on the east coast of New South Wales, Australia consisting of Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks...
often in high rainfall areas on shallow sandstone soils on plateaux or escarpments, in fire prone areas. Growing as a gnarled tree to 20 m (70 ft), it is recognisable by its distinctive yellow-brown tessellated bark. The greyish green leaves are thick and veiny, and lanceolate spear- or sickle-shaped. The cream flowerheads grow in panicles in groups of seven and appear in spring. Known for many years as Eucalyptus eximia, the yellow bloodwood was transferred into the new genus Corymbia
Corymbia
Corymbia is a genus of about 113 species of tree that were classified as Eucalyptus species until the mid-1990s. It includes the bloodwoods, ghost gums and spotted gums. The bloodwoods had been recognised as a distinct group within the large and diverse Eucalyptus genus since 1867...
in 1995 when it was erected by Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson. It is still seen under this name in some works.
Taxonomy
First collected near the Grose River by Robert BrownRobert Brown (botanist)
Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
and Ferdinand Bauer
Ferdinand Bauer
Ferdinand Lucas Bauer was an Austrian botanical illustrator who travelled on Matthew Flinders' expedition to Australia.-Biography:...
between September and October 1803, the yellow bloodwood was described as Eucalyptus eximia by Johannes Conrad Schauer
Johannes Conrad Schauer
Johannes Conrad Schauer was a botanist interested in Spermatophytes. He was a professor of botany at the University of Greifswald. Amongst his published works are descriptions of the myrtles of Western Australia.-References:...
in 1843. The species name is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
adjective eximius "exceptional" or "uncommon", and might related to the distinctive and unusual appearance of either the bark or flowers of the tree. In 1995, the Eucalyptus genus was split into three genera by Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson
Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson
Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson, known as Lawrie Johnson, was an Australian taxonomic botanist. He worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, for the whole of his professional career, as a botanist , Director and Honorary Research Associate .Alone or in collaboration with colleagues, he...
, with E. eximia transferred into Corymbia
Corymbia
Corymbia is a genus of about 113 species of tree that were classified as Eucalyptus species until the mid-1990s. It includes the bloodwoods, ghost gums and spotted gums. The bloodwoods had been recognised as a distinct group within the large and diverse Eucalyptus genus since 1867...
. Hill and Johnson classified it in the section Ochraria along with eleven other species, this group known as "yellow bloodwoods". A combined analysis of nuclear rDNA
Ribosomal DNA
Ribosomal DNA codes for ribosomal RNA. The ribosome is an intracellular macromolecule that produces proteins or polypeptide chains. The ribosome itself consists of a composite of proteins and RNA. As shown in the figure, rDNA consists of a tandem repeat of a unit segment, an operon, composed of...
(ETS + ITS) and morphological characters published in 2009 found this group to be monophyletic, and it was renamed section Naviculares within the subgenus Blakella (the name originally coined by Maiden in 1929 as Eucalyptus series Naviculares), with C. eximia as the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
.
The common name is derived from the gum veins in the wood.
Description
The yellow bloodwood grows as an attractive gnarled tree, up to 20 metres (70 ft) tall. It can have a multistemmed stunted habit when growing on an exposed site. The distinctive bark is a yellowish fawn colour, and flaky, rough in consistency with a somewhat tessellated pattern. Measuring up to 20 cm (8 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, the adult leaves are greyish green, thick and veiny, and lanceolate (spear-shaped) or falcate (sickle-shaped), and have a prominent raised yellow midrib and taper to the end. They are arranged alternately along the stems. The cream flowers begin as buds in February and are open from August to October, and are sometimes used in floral arrangements. Groups of seven flowers are arranged in paniclePanicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....
s, the buds on short stalks (pedicellate) initially measuring 1.3 to 1.5 cm (0.5-0.6 in) long by 0.6 cm (0.2 in) wide and pear- or club-shaped. The gumnuts are the typical urn shape of most bloodwoods. The seeds are without wings, and are mature by December and remain on the tree for up to 16 months.
Seedlings have opposite leaves for the first three six pairs, and these are elliptic to lanceolate in shape. These are followed by oblong to lanceolate juvenile leaves which become more alternate along the stems. A light blue-green in colour, these measure 7.5 to 12.5 cm (3-5 in) long by 2.5-3.2 cm (1-1.3 in) wide.
Distribution and habitat
The yellow bloodwood is found in central New South Wales from Howes Valley in the north to Tolwong in the south. Around the Sydney BasinSydney Basin
The Sydney Basin is a sedimentary basin on the east coast of New South Wales, Australia consisting of Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks...
, it is common on sandstone plateaux and escarpments in the vicinity of the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers, and lower Blue Mountains, particularly on western aspects of slopes. It is seen up to altitudes of 500 metres, with annual rainfall of 730-1800 mm. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest on sandstone soils, associated with such species as red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera
Corymbia gummifera
Corymbia gummifera, commonly known as Red Bloodwood, is a hardwood tree native to eastern Australia.-Description:It usually grows as a tree, but may take the form of a mallee in very poor soils. As a tree it typically grows to a height of 20 to 34 metres and a trunk diameter of one metre dbh....
), dwarf apple (Angophora hispida
Angophora hispida
Angophora hispida grows as a malee, or as a tree to about 7 m in height.A. hispidas small size, especially when compared to its Angophora and Eucalyptus relatives, leads to it being known by the common name Dwarf Apple...
), smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata
Angophora costata
Angophora costata is a common woodland and forest tree of Eastern Australia and is known by a variety of names including smooth-barked apple, rose gum, rose apple or Sydney red gum. It grows primarily on sandstone soils, usually on headlands, plateaus or other elevated areas. A...
), narrow-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus sparsifolia
Eucalyptus sparsifolia
Eucalyptus sparsifolia, commonly known as the narrow-leaved stringybark, is a tree endemic to New South Wales. It was described by William Blakely in 1934....
), white stringybark (E. globoidea
Eucalyptus globoidea
Eucalyptus globoidea, known by the common name White Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia. It has thick, fibrous bark usually colored light gray over reddish brown. It is also known for its distinctive glossy green leaves in its adult life...
), sydney peppermint (E. piperita
Eucalyptus piperita
Eucalyptus piperita, commonly known as Sydney Peppermint and Urn-fruited Peppermint, is a small to medium forest tree native to New South Wales, Australia.-Description:...
), grey gum (E. punctata), scribbly gums (E. haemastoma and E. racemosa
Eucalyptus racemosa
Eucalyptus racemosa, known as the Scribbly Gum, or Snappy Gum is a tree native to eastern Australia. An alternative name is Narrow Leaved Scribbly Gum, as the leaves are different to the related Eucalyptus haemastoma, a similar and better known tree. Occurring on the poor sandstone soils in mid to...
) and black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis
Allocasuarina littoralis
Allocasuarina littoralis or Black Sheoak is an endemic medium-sized Australian tree . A...
).
Ecology
The yellow bloodwood regenerates by regrowing from epicormic buds after bushfire. Trees live for over a hundred years. The Grey-headed Flying FoxGrey-headed Flying Fox
The Grey-headed Flying-Fox, Pteropus poliocephalus, is a megabat native to Australia.Members of the genus Pteropus include the largest bats in the world. The Pteropus genus has currently about 57 recognised species....
(Pteropus poliocephalus) eats the flowers. It is highly sensitive to the white leaf and shoot blight (Sporothrix pitereka)
Uses
The relatively small size and rarity of Corymbia eximia meant it was rarely used as timber. It has been used as a street tree in Australian cities, and its small size and attractive bark make it a good tree for backyards. It was listed in the catalogue of Treseder's nursery of Truro in Cornwall in 1905.A smaller form, "nana" has been propagated and used as a garden or street tree.