March 23 was National Eucalypt Day in Australia. Each year, those who wish to can place an online vote for the Eucalypt of the year and the winner is announced on Eucalypt Day.
The winner for 2020 is Eucalyptus erythrocorys, or Illyarrie, the name given to it by the Noongar people of Western Australia. It is also known as the red-capped gum.
This tree, which grows in a street near where I live is not very tall and quite scrappy but what it lacks in tailoring it more than makes up for in glorious decoration.
Very nice eucalypt. I have never come across it with those bright yellow flowers. Wattle look alike almost.
Yes, a very similar colour, Gerard, and just as cheering.
Absolutely gorgeous flowers, I don’t think I have come across it either, but it deserves to win!
I didn’t know about it until quite recently. Being a WA plant I think it would be quite difficult to grow in this area. It’s the only one I know of in this town…not that I know all the trees and plants, but I’m sure you understand what I mean.
What a beautiful sunny yellow. I’ve never come across this one. But then there are so many I probably don’t know many at all.
Yes, there about 700, so I think we can be excused for not knowing some of them!
What a glorious plant!
Gorgeous, and full of sunshine.
It’s a beauty. I keep telling Mr ET I would like to plant some flowering gums.
There are so many beautiful ones, it would be hard to choose.
How gorgeous! And so lovely having the bright golden-yellow pom-poms against the red (seeds?) I love so many of your Australian trees.
It really is spectacular, isn’t it. The red parts are the buds and the seeds develop in quite large gum nuts.
Splendid
It is, thanks, Derek.
Beautiful, Jane! I hope you’re doing okay.
Thanks, Kris, we are fine, as I hope you are. Thank goodness for our gardens to keep us busy.
Wonderful colours. I’m not sure if I’ve seen one locally but I’ll keep an eye open.
As they’re a WA eucalypt perhaps they’re not seen so often outside that state. My own experience in growing WA natives has been rather unsuccessful, so I wouldn’t try to grow it in my garden.
What a stunning photo. I’ve never seen this species before but I suppose our winters in Canberra aren’t very welcoming. I have to admit I didn’t even know it was National Eucalypt Day. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks Barbara. Perhaps Illyarrie isn’t very well known because it’s a WA tree and plants from there can be difficult to grow here (in my experience). I wonder if there’s one at the NBG?
I literally gasped when I saw the photograph. Stunning!
Yes, it’s rather special. No wonder it won.