Scientific Name: Eucalyptus Gummifera
Common Name: Red Bloodwood
Nunukul Name: Bunna (Welsby, 1916)
Turrbal Name: Bun’a (Petrie, 1904)
Kabi Kabi Name: Boonar (Skyring, 1870)
Indigenous Use
Nectar sucked or soaked in water to be drunk. Source of manna (evaporated insect exudate). In herbal medicine the kino was used for venereal sores.
Colonial Use
Wood used for house stumps. The kino used as a cure for ringworm. Manna collected by colonialists.
When to Use
The tree flowers in summer to autumn. The manna and kino are available all year round.
Identification
Leaves: The adult leaves of Eucalyptus gummifera are lanceolate to falcate (sickle-shaped), measuring 8-16 cm in length and 1.5-3 cm in width. They are a dull green to grey-green colour, with a slightly leathery texture. The juvenile leaves are ovate and often have a blue-green hue (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Bark: The bark of Eucalyptus gummifera is rough, thick, and persistent on the trunk and larger branches. It is reddish-brown and sheds in small flakes, giving the tree its common name, Red Bloodwood. The bark has a tessellated pattern, providing a distinctive appearance (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Eucalyptus gummifera are creamy-white and appear in large clusters known as inflorescences. Each flower measures about 1-2 cm in diameter. They are rich in nectar and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and birds. Flowering typically occurs from late winter to early summer (Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Gumnut: The fruit of Eucalyptus gummifera is a woody capsule, often referred to as a gumnut. The capsules are urn-shaped to barrel-shaped, measuring 1.5-2.5 cm in length and 1-2 cm in width. They contain several small, brown seeds and ripen from late summer to autumn (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Floridata, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Eucalyptus Forests: Eucalyptus forests are characterised by their dominant eucalyptus tree species, thriving in a variety of soil types and pH levels, usually ranging from 4.5 to 7. These forests support a diverse understory of shrubs, grasses, and ground covers, and are adapted to periodic fires which help in seed germination and pest control. Common plants found in eucalyptus forests include wattles, grevilleas, and native grasses. These ecosystems are prominent in areas such as Toohey Forest, the Glass House Mountains, and D’Aguilar National Park.
References
Australian National Botanic Gardens. (2024). Eucalyptus gummifera. Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au
Plants of the World Online. (2024). Eucalyptus gummifera. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org
Floridata. (2024). Eucalyptus gummifera. Available at: https://floridata.com
Cribb A.B. and J.W., Wild Food in Australia. Collins, Sydney, 1974
Leiper, Glen, Muteroo: Plant use by Australian Aboriginal People. Eagleby South State School, Brisbane
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.
Skyring, Z., Zachariah Skyring’s Kabi Dictionary (Local Aboriginal Language) 1870 Unpublished Original from Gympie Library Local History Collection.
Welsby, T., Recollections of the Natives of Moreton Bay. University Society (Brisbane), 1916
Petrie, Constance, Tom Petrie’s Reminiscences of Early Queensland. Angus and Robertson, 1975, (facsmile of 1904 edition)