Corymbia oocarpa facts for kids

Corymbia oocarpa is a type of tree found only in the Top End of the Northern Territory in Australia. It has rough, thin bark on the lower part of its trunk, but smooth bark higher up. Its adult leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. The tree produces white flowers, which grow in groups of seven. After flowering, it develops woody, barrel-shaped or urn-shaped fruits.

About the Corymbia oocarpa Tree

The Corymbia oocarpa tree usually grows to about 15 meters (around 50 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, for example, by fire.

The bark on the lower part of the trunk is thin and can be grey to orange-brown. It looks like it's made of small, flat pieces. Higher up, the bark is smooth and can be grey or cream-colored.

Young Corymbia oocarpa trees have leaves that are shaped like an egg or a spear. These leaves are about 5.5 to 9.5 centimeters (2 to 3.7 inches) long and 1.3 to 2 centimeters (0.5 to 0.8 inches) wide. They have a small stalk, called a petiole, that connects them to the stem.

As the tree gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the branches. They are glossy green on both sides and are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are much longer, about 10 to 22 centimeters (4 to 8.7 inches) long, and 0.9 to 2.7 centimeters (0.35 to 1 inch) wide. They also have a petiole, which can be 0.8 to 2.6 centimeters (0.3 to 1 inch) long.

The tree's flower buds grow at the ends of its branches. They are arranged on a branched stalk called a peduncle, which is about 0.6 to 1.8 centimeters (0.2 to 0.7 inches) long. Each small branch of the peduncle holds seven buds. These buds are attached by thin stalks called pedicels, which are 0.3 to 1.2 centimeters (0.1 to 0.5 inches) long.

When the buds are ready to open, they are shaped like a pear or an oval. They are about 0.7 centimeters (0.3 inches) long and 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches) wide. Each bud has a rounded cap, called an operculum, which often has a small point in the middle.

Corymbia oocarpa trees have been seen flowering in March, and their flowers are white. After the flowers, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a capsule that is shaped like a barrel or an urn. It's about 1 to 1.4 centimeters (0.4 to 0.55 inches) long and 0.8 to 1.1 centimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The fruit is smooth, and its parts that open to release seeds are hidden inside.

How it Got its Name

This tree was first officially described in 1987 by two botanists, Denis Carr and Stella Carr. They called it Eucalyptus oocarpa. They studied samples of the tree that were collected in 1967 by another botanist, Norman Byrnes, in the Katherine Gorge National Park.

Later, in 1995, two other botanists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, changed its name to Corymbia oocarpa. This new name placed it in a different group of trees, the Corymbia genus.

Where it Lives

The Corymbia oocarpa tree grows in sandy soil, often in low areas or near rocky sandstone outcrops. It is only found in a specific part of the Northern Territory in Australia, known as the Top End. Its range stretches from the coastal area near Mudginberry, south through Pine Creek, across the Arnhem Plateau, and down to Katherine Gorge.