Corymbia chartacea facts for kids

Corymbia chartacea is a special kind of small tree. It has branches that often hang down, making it look like it's "weeping." This tree is found only in the Top End of the Northern Territory in Australia. It has thick, rough bark on its trunk and branches. Its leaves are broadly heart-shaped and grow in pairs. When it flowers, you can see groups of pink or white blossoms. After flowering, it produces interesting urn-shaped fruits.

What Does This Tree Look Like?

Corymbia chartacea is usually a small tree, growing up to about 8 meters (26 feet) tall. It often has long, drooping branches, which gives it its "weeping" look.

Leaves and Bark

The tree has thick, rough bark on its trunk and branches. Young trees and new shoots have heart-shaped or egg-shaped leaves. These leaves can be up to 120 mm long and 70 mm wide. They grow in pairs, one leaf directly opposite another. The main part of the tree's leaves are also heart-shaped or oval. These leaves are about 60 to 160 mm long and 30 to 86 mm wide. They also grow in opposite pairs.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of Corymbia chartacea grow in groups of three or seven. They appear at the ends of the branches. Each flower bud is shaped like a pear. These buds are about 10 to 16 mm long and 8 to 11 mm wide. The flowers can be pink or white. People have seen this tree flowering in February, May, and August. After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like an urn or a short sphere. They are about 21 to 30 mm long and wide.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The scientific name Corymbia chartacea was first officially described in 1995. This was done by two botanists, Kenneth Hill and Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson. They published their description in a science journal called Telopea.

The second part of the name, chartacea, comes from a Latin word. "Chartaceus" means "papery." This name was chosen because of the texture of the tree's leaves, which feel a bit like paper.

Where Does It Grow?

This special eucalypt tree grows in forests and woodlands. It is found only in a specific area of Australia. You can find it in the north-western part of Arnhem Land and the nearby rocky areas. It often grows as a smaller tree under taller ones.