Urn-fruited bloodwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Urn-fruited bloodwood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Corymbia
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| Species: |
pachycarpa
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| Synonyms | |
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The Corymbia pachycarpa, often called the urn-fruited bloodwood, is a unique tree. It is also known by local names like mawurru, yilanggi, or warlamarn. This tree is only found in northern Australia. It has thick, patterned bark and leaves that can be heart-shaped or egg-shaped. Its flowers are white, and its fruit looks like a small urn or barrel.
What Does This Tree Look Like?
The Corymbia pachycarpa is usually a small tree. It can also grow as a mallee, which means it has many stems growing from the ground. It typically reaches about 6 meters (20 feet) tall. This tree has rough, brownish bark that looks like a puzzle (tessellated) on its trunk and branches.
Its leaves are light green on both sides. They are arranged in pairs and can be heart-shaped, egg-shaped, or shaped like a spear. These leaves are about 40 to 120 millimeters (1.5 to 4.7 inches) long. They are also about 17 to 50 millimeters (0.7 to 2 inches) wide.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of three or seven. They are found at the ends of the branches. Each bud is pear-shaped and quite large. They are about 15 to 26 millimeters (0.6 to 1 inch) long. The flowers themselves are white and have been seen blooming in December.
After flowering, the tree produces woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like an urn or a barrel. It is about 23 to 38 millimeters (0.9 to 1.5 inches) long and 25 to 33 millimeters (1 to 1.3 inches) wide. The fruit has a clear neck, and its seeds are held inside.
How It Got Its Name
The Corymbia pachycarpa was officially named in 1995. It was named by two scientists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson.
The local Jaru people have their own names for this tree. They call it mawurru, yilanggi, or warlamarn.
The scientific name pachycarpa comes from ancient Greek words. Pachys means "thick," and karpos means "fruit." So, the name pachycarpa means "thick-fruited." This name describes its large, thick-walled fruit.
Where Does This Tree Grow?
This special tree, a type of eucalypt, grows in the dry (arid) parts of northern Australia. You can find it in northern Western Australia and nearby areas of the Northern Territory.
Its home stretches from the Great Sandy Desert to near Halls Creek, Western Australia. It also grows east through the edges of the Tanami Desert. You can find it as far as Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory.
