Rough-leaved ghost gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rough-leaved ghost gum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Corymbia
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| Species: |
aspera
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The Corymbia aspera, often called the rough-leaved ghost gum, is a special tree found only in northern Australia. People also know it by names like rough leaf range gum or snappy gum. This tree is easy to spot because of its smooth, white bark. Sometimes, it has a bit of rough bark near its base.
Its leaves are shaped like hearts or eggs and grow directly from the stem without a stalk. The tree produces flower buds in groups of seven. These buds open into creamy white flowers. After flowering, it grows interesting cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruits.
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What Does the Rough-Leaved Ghost Gum Look Like?
The rough-leaved ghost gum is a tree that usually grows between 4 to 10 meters (about 13 to 33 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 15 meters (about 49 feet)! It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like from a bushfire.
Bark and Branches
This tree has beautiful smooth bark that can be white, cream, or grey. Sometimes, the bark at the very bottom of the trunk is rough and flaky. The small branches of the tree do not have oil glands inside them.
Leaves of the Ghost Gum
Young ghost gum plants and new shoots have heart-shaped or egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 20 to 65 millimeters (0.8 to 2.6 inches) long and 10 to 43 millimeters (0.4 to 1.7 inches) wide. They grow in pairs directly opposite each other on the stem.
The leaves that make up the main leafy part of the tree are also heart-shaped or egg-shaped. They are dull green to greyish on both sides. These leaves are about 15 to 68 millimeters (0.6 to 2.7 inches) long and 7 to 35 millimeters (0.3 to 1.4 inches) wide. Their base often wraps around the stem or is rounded.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds of the rough-leaved ghost gum are smooth. They grow in groups of seven on small branched stalks. Each bud is oval or pear-shaped, about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long. They have a flat cap on top.
The tree usually flowers from October to December. Its flowers are white or creamy white. After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like cups, barrels, or cylinders. They are about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. Inside, the seeds are reddish-brown and flat.
Who Named This Tree?
The rough-leaved ghost gum was first officially described in 1859. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Eucalyptus aspera. Later, in 1995, two other scientists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, changed its name to Corymbia aspera.
The word aspera comes from a Latin word meaning "rough to the touch." This name likely refers to the rough leaves that young plants of this species have.
Where Does the Rough-Leaved Ghost Gum Grow?
The Corymbia aspera tree likes to grow in open woodlands. You can find it on hills, ridges, and flat areas. It also grows on floodplains. It prefers red sand, alluvial soil (soil left by rivers), and shallow, rocky soils.
This tree is found across a large part of northern Australia. Its home stretches from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions in Western Australia. From there, it goes east through the Roper and McArthur River areas in the Northern Territory. It even reaches into Queensland, as far east as the Selwyn Range near Cloncurry.
