This article is another instalment in our series, Know Your Park Lands Plants, where we introduce you to the myriad of species that populate your Adelaide Park Lands. Today, we look at the Lemon-scented gum.

by Mick Mansfield - Park Guardian for Bullrush Park / Warnpangga (Park 10)

Lemon-scented gums (Corymbia citriodora) are one of the most iconic and captivating Australian trees.

With their towering height, smooth bark, and citrus fragrance, these trees have captured the admiration of botanists, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts.

Lemon scented gums are native to temperate and tropical Queensland, but have been introduced to (and become naturalised in) other parts of Australia, including many specimens that have been planted in various parts of your Adelaide Park Lands.

A eucalypt but not a “Eucalyptus”

Despite being known as a “gum” and a “eucalypt” it has been classified, since 1995 as a “Corymbia” rather than a Eucalyptus species. There are 113 species of Corymbia (also known as “bloodwoods”). They are part of the broader Myrtaceae family.

Mature Lemon-scented gum trees commonly reach 20-30 metres tall, although some can grow as high as 50 metres. They tend to be reliably vertical, making them a commanding presence in the landscape.

One of their most striking features is their smooth, pale bark, which can range in colour from white, pink, coppery-red to blue-grey. The bark sheds in long patches, flakes or strips over spring and summer to reveal a creamy-white surface beneath.

The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are glossy and emit a strong lemon or citronella fragrance when crushed.

The tree produces small, creamy-white flowers that appear in clusters during the warmer months.

These flowers are rich in nectar, making them a resource for pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies.

The subsequent woody seed capsules contribute to the reproductive cycle of the species and provide food for various fauna.

Lemon-scented gums provide habitat and sustenance for a diverse range of wildlife. Birds often nest in their high branches, while insects thrive on the nectar from their flowers. The lemony scent deters some herbivorous pests.

The tree’s adaptability to different soil types and climates has enabled it to thrive in a variety of environments, from coastal regions to inland plains.

Its deep root system helps stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and promote groundwater recharge, making it favoured for some reforestation and land rehabilitation projects.

However, Lemon-scented gums (along with River Red gums and Sugar gums) are well-known for dropping branches (more likely to occur in hot and/or windy weather), and therefore are not recommended for planting near houses.

The tree’s strong and durable wood has historically been used for tools, shelter, and firewood.

In modern contexts, the tree is prized for its ornamental value, and of course its scent. The citrusy scent intensifies after rain or when the leaves are crushed.

The aromatic leaves have been used in Aboriginal traditional medicine as an antiseptic, and as a natural insect repellent. Lemon-scented gum oil is an ingredient in some commercial mosquito repellents. It’s also been used in “essential oils” and candles.

Want to know more about the plants in your Park Lands? Head over to iNaturalist where you can record, share and discuss your findings with fellow naturalists.

There is an iNaturalist page which can show you exactly where citizen scientists (like you!) have observed lemon scented gums in your Adelaide Park Lands.

See the other plants featured in this series here:

• https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/know-your-park-lands-plants