red flowering gum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• red-flowering-gum
• red-flower gum
• Red Flowering Gum
• Red-flowering gum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eucalyptus ficifolia
• Eucalyptus ficifolia var. bakeri
• Eucalyptus ficifolia var. carmina
• Eucalyptus ficifolia var. rosea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, falling into the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Corymbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a highly fragmented geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and diverse climates. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found specifically in Madeira. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is located in Rwanda. In the Northeast Tropical region, the species is established in Ethiopia. Finally, its range reaches East Tropical Africa, encompassing both Kenya and Tanzania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Corymbia ficifolia is characterized by its preference for lowland habitats, where it occupies specific ecological niches within its distributional range. This species is specifically adapted to thrive within an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 2000 m AMSL to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Corymbia ficifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cellular structure. This species possesses a chromosome number of 22, a fundamental genetic parameter that influences its reproductive biology, inheritance patterns, and evolutionary lineage within the Myrtaceae family. This diploid number provides the framework for the plant's genomic complexity, dictating how genetic information is passed from one generation to the next through meiosis and fertilization. Such chromosomal stability is essential for maintaining the phenotypic characteristics and adaptive capacities that allow the species to thrive in its native ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

22

Life history

The life history of Corymbia ficifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to maintain its physiological functions and structure over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it allocates its biomass into significant woody structures, specifically large trees, where the reproductive buds are held well above the ground level. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity, rather than shedding leaves seasonally. Its biological development follows a long-term growth strategy typical of large woody perennials, establishing a permanent presence in its ecosystem through sustained vegetative and reproductive cycles.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Corymbia ficifolia is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or a hemi-epiphyte. The plant's stature is substantial, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 30 meters. Its structure is defined by its robust woodiness, supporting its upright, non-climbing habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Corymbia ficifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody angiosperms that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by elliptic leaf forms, which serve as the primary sites for gas exchange and light interception. These leaves exhibit specific dimensional parameters, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 7.5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. The lateral expansion of the foliage is similarly constrained, with leaf widths measuring between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 4 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

7.5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Corymbia ficifolia is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that typically begins in August and concludes in September, though it can be variable. The plant produces striking red flowers arranged in an umbel inflorescence. Following pollination, the development of the fruit results in a woody capsule that is dehiscent in nature. These capsules vary in size, with a length ranging from 2 to 3.5 cm and a width between 2 and 3 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of 0.02935 g, though individual seed masses range from a minimum of 0.02381 g to a maximum of 0.03985 g. The dispersal syndrome for this species is classified as unspecialized. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this plant, indicating a reliance on sexual reproductive processes.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower colour :

red

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Fruit width min:

2 cm

Inflorescence :

umbel

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.03985 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02935 g

Seed mass min:

0.02381 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Corymbia ficifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)