Scraggy bloodwood facts for kids
Corymbia abbreviata, also known as the scraggy bloodwood, is a type of tree that looks a bit messy or "straggly." It grows naturally in parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This tree has rough bark and stiff leaves that grow in pairs. Its flower buds often appear in groups at the ends of its branches. After flowering, it produces fruit shaped like small urns.
Quick facts for kids Scraggy bloodwood |
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| Corymbia abbreviata near the Gibb River Road | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Corymbia
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| Species: |
abbreviata
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus abbreviata Blakely & Jacobs |
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Contents
What Does the Scraggy Bloodwood Look Like?
The scraggy bloodwood is a tree or shrub that usually grows to be about 2 to 6 meters (7 to 20 feet) tall. It has bark that looks like a puzzle, with flaky, grey-brown pieces over a red-brown color.
Leaves and Branches
The younger branches are smooth and shiny, often silvery or green. Young plants and new shoots have large, heart-shaped leaves that hug the stem. These leaves are about 15 to 23 centimeters (6 to 9 inches) long and 8 to 15 centimeters (3 to 6 inches) wide. The adult leaves are similar, also heart-shaped or broadly spear-shaped, and can be 7 to 23.5 centimeters (3 to 9 inches) long. They also wrap around the stem or have a lobed base.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds usually grow in groups at the ends of the branches. Each group typically has seven buds. These buds are oval or pear-shaped, about 11 to 16 millimeters long. When they are ready to bloom, a rounded cap (called an operculum) covers the flower.
Scraggy bloodwood trees bloom between July and January, producing creamy white flowers. After the flowers, the tree grows smooth, woody, urn-shaped fruits. These fruits are about 20 to 35 millimeters long and have a clear "neck" at the top.
How the Scraggy Bloodwood Got Its Name
The scraggy bloodwood was first officially described in 1934 by two botanists, William Blakely and Maxwell Jacobs. They initially called it Eucalyptus abbreviata. Later, in 1995, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson changed its name to Corymbia abbreviata.
The word "abbreviata" comes from Latin and means "shortened." This name was chosen because of the way the flower heads are grouped closely together.
Where Does the Scraggy Bloodwood Grow?
You can find the scraggy bloodwood scattered across different areas, from Wyndham in the Kimberley region of Western Australia all the way east to Dorisvale and Willeroo in the Northern Territory. It often grows in rocky soil on stony slopes, ridges, and outcrops made of sandstone, granite, or quartzite.
