Corymbia torta facts for kids

Corymbia torta is a special kind of tree found only in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. It's known for its smooth bark and interesting leaves that are shaped like a spear. When it flowers, it has creamy white blooms, and its fruit can look like a cup or a barrel.

About the Corymbia torta Tree

This tree usually grows to be about 12 to 15 metres (39 to 49 ft) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber, which helps it regrow if there's a fire.

Bark and Leaves

The bark of the Corymbia torta is smooth. It can be white, cream, or pale grey, and it peels off in thin pieces. The leaves grow in a pattern where they alternate on the stem. They are shaped like a spear (lance-shaped) and can be a bit wavy or twisted. Both sides of the leaves are a shiny green color. They are usually 70–175 mm (2.8–6.9 in) long and 7–25 mm (0.28–0.98 in) wide. The leaves narrow down to a flat or grooved stalk called a petiole, which is 5–22 mm (0.20–0.87 in) long.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers grow at the ends of the branches. Each flower stalk, called a peduncle, has groups of three or seven flower buds. These buds sit on smaller stalks called pedicels, which are 2–7 mm (0.079–0.276 in) long.

When the buds are ready to open, they look like a pear or are round. They are about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, is rounded or flat. This tree has been seen flowering in November, and its flowers are a creamy white color. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruit. These fruits can be shaped like a cup, a cylinder, or a barrel. They are about 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) long and 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) wide. The parts that release the seeds are hidden inside the fruit.

Naming and History of Corymbia torta

How it Got its Name

The Corymbia torta tree was first officially described in 1995. Two botanists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. They found the first samples of this tree near Mount Jameson, by the upper Drysdale River.

The second part of its scientific name, torta, comes from the Latin word tortus. This word means "twisted," and it refers to the twisted shape of the tree's adult leaves.

Different Types of Corymbia torta

In the same science paper, Hill and Johnson also described three slightly different types, or subspecies, of Corymbia torta. These subspecies are recognized by plant experts today:

• Corymbia torta subsp. allanii
• Corymbia torta subsp. mixtifolia
• Corymbia torta subsp. torta

Where Corymbia torta Lives

This type of eucalyptus tree is found in certain areas of Western Australia. You can find it in places like the King Leopold Ranges, Mitchell River National Park, and Drysdale River National Park. These areas are part of the Central Kimberley and Northern Kimberley regions. The tree likes to grow in sandy soils that are thin and sit over sandstone or granite rocks.

Is Corymbia torta Endangered?

Good news! All three subspecies of Corymbia torta are considered "not threatened." This means they are not currently at risk of disappearing. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of this.