Flowering gum trees

The red flowering gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia) has extremely long stamens which force the top of the gum nut off, allowing bees, butterflies and birds access to the nectar during the day, and at night the possums and flying foxes.

The gum tree is a symbol of Australia, and there are around 91 eucalypt species found in the greater blue Mountain region. Australia has around 850 species in total, adapted over millions of years to every habitat.

Although susceptible to bushfires since the oil is volatile, they recover quickly after a fire. Eucalyptus oil is extracted from gum leaves and is used in antiseptics, gargles, and cough medicines, as well as paint, and cleaning products.

Here you see the flower forcing open the gum nut with the top cap coming off.

The trees in Australia are used to generate electricity, desalinate marshlands, and produce particle board. The sap is used in tanning leather. Citronella oil comes from the Lemon scented gum, and is mosquito repellant.

Eucalyptus trees have a special symbiotic relationship with ectomycorrhizal fungi. The fungi provide water and nutrients to the tree, and in return the tree gives the fungus carbon. Chinese eucalyptus plantations failed to thrive until inoculated with the fungal spores.