Corymbia ficifolia is one of around 80 eucalypts which were transferred in 1995 from the genus Eucalyptus to the newly created genus Corymbia. The species was formerly known as Eucalyptus ficifolia.
The red flowering gum is one of the most widely cultivated of all eucalypts both in Australia and overseas. It often grows larger and more vigorously in cultivation than in its natural habitat. The species is best suited to temperate districts with low summer rainfall and humidity. It can be grown in sub-tropical areas in well drained, sunny positions but cannot be regarded as reliable in those areas. Even in temperate areas the species can be unreliable – in the Sydney region, for example, there are some excellent examples but there are probably just as many that fail to thrive. In suitable climates the tree is moderately fast growing and may eventually reach 15 metres but is often smaller. Foliage is dark, glossy green and the bark is rough and persistent (ie it does not shed annually).
Corymbia ficifolia is superficially similar to Marri, Corymbia calophylla. It differs in that it has barrel shaped fruits rather than urn shaped, its seeds are smaller and have wings, and its oil glands in the leaves are not prominent. It crosses readily with Corymbia calophylla. The hybrids are intermediate in these characters and often set fewer fruits (gumnuts).
Because of the difficulty in propagating all eucalypts from cuttings, plants available in nurseries have been usually grown from seed. Seedling variability means that the resulting plants may vary from the parent both in the habit of the plant and in the flower colour. Consequently, the flower colour of seedlings cannot be guaranteed and white, pink and orange flowers are seen, as well as red.
Established trees are cold hardy to 20 degrees F but protection from frost is required for young plants.
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