Field of Science

Friday Fabulous Flower - Red gum tree



This red-flowered gum tree is a widely spread ornamental species, probably Corymbia ficifolia.  At some former time it was a Eucalyptus, and TPP has no idea what the distinction is that led to this reassignment.  As soon as you see one of these trees, and they can grow quite large, you know you're not in Kansas any more.  It was fairly common urban tree in New Zealand although the southern Magnolia was probably more common. Lots of birds and lots of insects visiting made this a busy tree. And as the image above shows, the androecial whorl are the visually attractive portion of the flower.




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