Katherine Gorge bloodwood facts for kids

The Corymbia arnhemensis, also known as the Katherine Gorge bloodwood, is a special type of tree. It grows only in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. This tree is known for its rough bark on the lower trunk and smooth bark higher up. It has long, narrow leaves, white flowers, and cool, urn-shaped fruits.

What Does It Look Like?

The Katherine Gorge bloodwood is a tall, slender tree. It can grow up to 15 meters (about 50 feet) high. At its base, it has a woody swelling called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, for example, by a bushfire.

The bark on the lower part of the trunk is rough. It's usually grey to grey-brown and looks like a puzzle or checkerboard pattern. Higher up, the bark is smooth. It can be white, grey, or even a little pink.

Young plants and new shoots (called coppice regrowth) have leaves that are shaped like an egg or a spear. These leaves are about 3.5 to 11.5 centimeters (1.4 to 4.5 inches) long.

The adult leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are dull green on top and lighter underneath. These leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. They can be 7.5 to 18 centimeters (3 to 7 inches) long. Each leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, which is about 0.6 to 2.5 centimeters (0.2 to 1 inch) long.

The tree's flowers grow in groups of seven. These groups are found on a thin, branched stalk called a peduncle. Each flower bud is oval or pear-shaped. It has a rounded or cone-shaped cap, called an operculum, which protects the flower before it opens. The flowers are white. They have been seen blooming in November and from February to April.

After flowering, the tree produces woody, urn-shaped fruits. These fruits are like capsules, about 8 to 14 millimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) long. The parts that release the seeds are hidden inside the fruit.

How Did It Get Its Name?

Scientists first officially described the Katherine Gorge bloodwood in 1985. Denis Carr and Stella Carr gave it the name Eucalyptus arnhemensis. They studied samples collected near Oenpelli in 1948.

Later, in 1995, two other scientists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, changed its name to Corymbia arnhemensis. The second part of its name, arnhemensis, tells us where it grows. It refers to Arnhem Land, a region in the Northern Territory.

Where Does It Grow?

The Katherine Gorge bloodwood is found only in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. You can find it between Jabiluka and Katherine Gorge, which is in Nitmiluk National Park. This tree likes to grow among sandstone rocks. It is usually found on steep slopes or ridges, in shallow, sandy soil.