Collar of tessellated bark

A characteristic tree in eucalypt forest and associated woodlands on flat, deep soils of medium to high fertility, very noticeable by its collar of tessellated bark changing to smooth grey white. It’s a fast-growing evergreen tree which reaches 10-20 metres tall. The lower part of the trunk has persistent, rough, dark grey bark that is closely and evenly cracked into rectangular segments (tessellated). The upper part of the trunk has a smooth grey or white surface. Narrow, lanceolate leaves may be up to about 15 cm long and as little as 1 cm wide. The fresh fruiting capsules are thin and can be squashed easily with the fingers (hence also known as one of the paper-fruited bloodwoods). Widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory on deep well-drained soils. Resistant to strong winds, heat and drought and will tolerate a moderate amount of salt spray. Propagation is from seed. Flowering occurs from midwinter to early summer. Fruit cylindrical or ovoid, more or less striate, 8-11 mm long, 6-8 mm wide, disc depressed, valves enclosed.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Generally fruits in the summer months. The fresh fruiting capsules are thin and can be squashed easily with the fingers. Fruit is cylindrical or ovoid 8-11 mm long. Red to brown seeds are about 2 mm long. Propagate from seed. Seeds start to germinate in about three days if grown at 35°C with no pretreatment required.

Coryimbia tesseraris fruit. Photo: Ian Brooker and David Kleinig CC BY 3.0 AU