Melville Island bloodwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melville Island bloodwood |
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| Corymbia nesophila north of Musgrave | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Corymbia
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| Species: |
nesophila
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus nesophila Blakely |
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The Melville Island bloodwood (scientific name: Corymbia nesophila) is a special type of tree. It grows only in northern Australia. This tree has rough bark that looks like a puzzle. Its leaves are long and curved. It grows creamy white flowers and fruit shaped like an urn.
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What the Melville Island Bloodwood Looks Like
The Melville Island bloodwood tree usually grows quite tall. It can reach heights of 7 to 30 meters (about 23 to 98 feet). It has rough, grey-brown bark on its trunk and branches. This bark often looks like a puzzle or is crumbly.
Leaves of the Bloodwood Tree
Young bloodwood plants have dull green leaves. These leaves are lighter on their underside. They are often shaped like a heart or an egg. These young leaves can be 48 to 125 mm long and 23 to 80 mm wide.
As the tree gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are shiny green and a bit lighter underneath. They are long and curved, like a spear. These leaves measure 73 to 210 mm long and 7 to 28 mm wide. Each leaf has a stem called a petiole, which is 9 to 23 mm long.
Flowers and Fruit of the Bloodwood
The flowers of the Melville Island bloodwood are creamy white. They usually bloom between May and August. The flower buds grow in groups of seven. Each bud is oval or pear-shaped. They are about 5 to 7 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide.
After the flowers, the tree produces fruit. The fruit is shaped like an urn or a pot. It has thin walls and holds the seeds inside.
How the Melville Island Bloodwood Got Its Name
This tree was first described in 1934. A scientist named William Blakely gave it the name Eucalyptus nesophila. He wrote about it in his book, A Key to the Eucalypts.
Later, in 1995, two other scientists changed its name. Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson renamed it Corymbia nesophila. This is the name we use today.
Where the Melville Island Bloodwood Grows
The Melville Island bloodwood grows in different parts of tropical northern Australia. You can find it in the eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia. It also grows in the Top End and islands off the coast of the Northern Territory.
You can also see it on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. It likes to grow on lower slopes and flat areas. The soil there is usually sandy or a mix of sand and loam.
