Illyarrie (eucalyptus erythrocorys)

Illyarrie or Red-capped Flowering Gum (Eucalyptus erythrocorys)



The Illyarrie or Red-capped Flowering Gum is one of the prettiest of the flowering trees. This Eucalyptus erythrocorys which is a native of Western Australia is currently in flower, the bright red-capped buds and brilliant yellow blossoms are spectacular.

The tree is of medium height (3 - 8 metres) with generally smooth cream bark, and grows on sandy soil with limestone ridges or outcrops. The foliage is dark green with typical eucalyptus shaped leaves

The flowers are preceded by large squarish red-capped buds. These caps fall off as the yellow flower emerges.

The flowers are usually in groups of three and each may be 7 cm in diameter with four tufts of golden stamens at the corners. Bees are attracted to these flowers.
After the flowers, come the fruit -- these are very large woody seed capsules and are so heavy that the tree is often bowed down with weight and prone to breakage in windy conditions.

I tried to think of something amusing or entertaining to preface the botany lesson, but too much golf in the heat has caused by imagination to ooze elsewhere!