Spotted Gum – Corymbia maculata
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Natural History
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Other Names: Eucalyptus maculata (formerly known as), Spotted Irongum, Mottled Gum, Broad-leaved Spotted Gum, Large-Leaved Spotted Gum, Spotted Eucalypt, daraani (Dhurga), urara, gir-ree-poot (Kutthung/Kattang), kree-pun (Kutthung/Kattang), boona (Dharawal), yura (Gidabal)
Distinctive Characteristics: This tall, straight, evergreen tree has shedding patches of bark, mottled in coppery brown and numerous shades of grey; the underside is a smooth, creamy, yellow-white to green. The base of older trees is flared.
Distribution: Native to coastal areas of southeastern Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it is widely distributed, with an isolated population in east Gippsland, Victoria. Elevation: sea level to 2,100 ft. (650 m).
Ecosystem: Found in temperate and subtropical open forests and on coastal plains, mainly on slopes and ridges, in tall, open forests in pure stands or with Ironbark, Blackbutt, Tallowwood, Grey Gum, Sydney Blue Gum, Grey Box, White Mahogany, Brush Box, and Pink Bloodwood.
Maximum Age: Estimated at 500 years.
Maximum Height and Girth: 298 ft. (91 m) in height; 34 ft. (10.4 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Koalas eat the leaves. Bees, bats, and birds such as rainbow lorikeets eat the nectar. Glider possums nest in hollows.
Traditional Uses:
Medicine: The gum, mixed with water and swallowed, was used as an anti-inflammatory. The leaves were crushed and soaked in water to be used as an antibacterial and antiseptic.
Tools and Objects: The wood and bark were used to make dishes, bowls, weapons, and tools.
Shelter: The bark was used to construct shelters.
Transportation: The bark was used to make canoes.
Modern Uses: An important commercial timber species, the strong, bendable wood has been used to make
houses, ships, bridges, mining structures, railroad ties, carriages, fencing, flooring, furniture, tool handles, farm implements, poles, plywood, and charcoal. The flower nectar is valued for honey production.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened.
Distinctive Characteristics: This tall, straight, evergreen tree has shedding patches of bark, mottled in coppery brown and numerous shades of grey; the underside is a smooth, creamy, yellow-white to green. The base of older trees is flared.
Distribution: Native to coastal areas of southeastern Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it is widely distributed, with an isolated population in east Gippsland, Victoria. Elevation: sea level to 2,100 ft. (650 m).
Ecosystem: Found in temperate and subtropical open forests and on coastal plains, mainly on slopes and ridges, in tall, open forests in pure stands or with Ironbark, Blackbutt, Tallowwood, Grey Gum, Sydney Blue Gum, Grey Box, White Mahogany, Brush Box, and Pink Bloodwood.
Maximum Age: Estimated at 500 years.
Maximum Height and Girth: 298 ft. (91 m) in height; 34 ft. (10.4 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Koalas eat the leaves. Bees, bats, and birds such as rainbow lorikeets eat the nectar. Glider possums nest in hollows.
Traditional Uses:
Medicine: The gum, mixed with water and swallowed, was used as an anti-inflammatory. The leaves were crushed and soaked in water to be used as an antibacterial and antiseptic.
Tools and Objects: The wood and bark were used to make dishes, bowls, weapons, and tools.
Shelter: The bark was used to construct shelters.
Transportation: The bark was used to make canoes.
Modern Uses: An important commercial timber species, the strong, bendable wood has been used to make
houses, ships, bridges, mining structures, railroad ties, carriages, fencing, flooring, furniture, tool handles, farm implements, poles, plywood, and charcoal. The flower nectar is valued for honey production.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened.
