Wow what a show! Flowering at the moment, and putting on quite the spectacle, is our locally native Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia).
This large tree is distinguished by its clusters of bright creamy-white flowers, rough tessellated bark, and barrel- or urn-shaped fruit. The flowers have a sweet, caramel scent which carries on the wind.
Beyond being spectacular eye candy for us humans, this tree is very important for so many of our native wildlife. It is listed as a shelter and secondary food tree for the Koala (Endangered in Queensland), and provides nectar, pollen and sap for other wildlife including many bird species, flying foxes (Vulnerable in Australia), bees, butterflies and gliders (of which several local species are listed as Threatened).
The Pink Bloodwood is so named for both its pink timber, and thick red sap that exudes when cut.
Images by our President, Murray Oke.
