Cabbage ghost gum facts for kids
The Cabbage ghost gum (scientific name: Corymbia flavescens) is a special type of tree found only in northern Australia. People also call it the bastard ghost gum or wrinkle-leaf ghost gum. The Jaru people, who are Indigenous Australians, call this tree warlarri. It's known for its smooth, white bark and pretty white flowers.
Quick facts for kids Cabbage ghost gum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Corymbia
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| Species: |
flavescens
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus flavescens K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson |
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Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Cabbage ghost gum is a tree that usually grows up to 15 meters (about 50 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if its top part is damaged, for example, by a bushfire.
Bark and Leaves
The tree has smooth, powdery bark. When the bark is new, it's bright white. As it gets older, it peels off in thin, grayish pieces.
Young Cabbage ghost gum plants have yellowish-green leaves. These leaves are shaped like hearts or eggs. They are about 70 to 155 millimeters (2.7 to 6.1 inches) long. They are also about 45 to 110 millimeters (1.7 to 4.3 inches) wide.
Older leaves are usually arranged one after another along the stem. They are yellow-green on both sides. These leaves are shaped like eggs or spears. They can be 70 to 235 millimeters (2.7 to 9.2 inches) long. They are 13 to 60 millimeters (0.5 to 2.3 inches) wide. Each leaf has a short stem called a petiole.
Flowers and Fruit
The tree's flower buds smell nice. They grow in groups of three. Each group of three buds is on a short stalk. The buds themselves are oval or pear-shaped. They are 6 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long.
The Cabbage ghost gum usually flowers from April to June. It can also flower from November to December. Its flowers are white or creamy white and also smell good.
After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are like capsules. They can be shaped like cups, cylinders, barrels, or cones. They are about 8 to 12 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. They are also 8 to 11 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The seeds inside are dull or slightly shiny. They are red or reddish-brown.
How It Was Named
The Cabbage ghost gum was first officially described in 1995. Two botanists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, gave it its scientific name, Corymbia flavescens. They wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea.
The specimens they studied were collected in 1925 by William Blakely. Blakely thought these plants might be a mix of two different types of trees. However, Hill and Johnson later decided that the tree was a unique species on its own.
Where Does It Grow?
The Cabbage ghost gum grows in northern Australia. You can often find it in red earth soils. It also likes to grow near watercourses, which are places where water flows.
In Western Australia, this tree is found in many areas. These include the Central Kimberley, Dampierland, and the Pilbara regions. It also grows in parts of the Great Sandy Desert and Tanami Desert.
In the Northern Territory, it grows in places like the Davenport Murchison Ranges. You can also find it in the Gulf Fall and Uplands, and the Sturt Plateau regions.
