Family: Myrtaceae

Coral gum is a fast-growing tree that produces a dense, upright, spreading crown. It will grow to 35 feet over its lifetime at a rate of 2 feet a year. Rough, brown bark spreads from the trunk into the branches. Leaves are long, narrow, and pale green. Showy flowers fill the crown in the Fall time. Ranging in color from white to yellow/pink to pink, they look like the bodice of a ballerina wearing a tutu. Their unique form is breathtaking. Massive amounts of nectar are produced during the flowering season; pollinators readily harvest the bounty. Fruit, a hard capsule, follows flowers. The litter, although pretty, could be problematic if planted in the wrong area.

Native to Western Australia, coral gum is drought tolerant. It makes an excellent windbreak as the branches are quite strong. In general, coral gum is a low maintenance tree with unobtrusive roots.

Plant Uses:

• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening
• Shade
• Specimen
• Windbreak

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric weeds present (other Eucalyptus species are listed as weeds)
  
• Broad climate tolerance (heat, frost, alkaline soil, salinity)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Unpalatable to grazing animals (chemical deterrence)
  
• Wide soil tolerance (sandy to clay)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people (popular street tree)
  
• Wind‑dispersed minute seeds
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Tolerates mutilation, fire, and cultivation (epicormic buds)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization outside native range
  
• No documented weediness (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• Probably self‑sterile (requires cross‑pollination)
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• No persistent seed bank (seeds viable <1 year)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No evidence of allelopathy, toxicity, or allergenicity
  
• Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)