Discover our host of flowering eucalypts then vote for your favourite!
Australia’s eucalypts are celebrated on National Eucalypt Day, held annually on 23 March and now in its 11th year. Join a guided walk to discover the eucalypts of Kings Park or explore on your own and vote for your favourite.
The eucalypts are Australia’s most distinctive and widespread trees. The term ‘eucalypt’ applies to members of the three genera – Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora. Eucalyptus is one of Australia’s most important plant genera, with around 800 species known and others still to be described. The related genus Corymbia has around 100 species.
Western Australia is home to some 400 species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia, many having special features and exhibiting a great diversity in form and size. This is well described in the following quote: “South-western WA…contains the greatest diversity of species; many western species are renowned for their colourful flowers and extraordinary fruits” (Corrick & Fuhrer 2009. Wildflowers of Southern Western Australia).
Eucalypts in Kings Park
Many eucalypts have been planted throughout the managed areas of Kings Park, while Marri (Corymbia calophylla), Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) grow in their natural habitat in Kings Park’s 270 hectares of bushland.
Eucalypts will be found flowering within the Park at any time of the year. Even when they are not in flower, they often display an interesting assortment of buds, fruits (‘gum nuts’), bark and growth habit.
Western Australian eucalypts are especially well-represented in the Roe Gardens. Other areas that are particularly rich and worth exploring are outlined below. If you visit these areas, you’ll find that many of the planted eucalypts have name labels.
Within the WA Botanic Garden:
- along Forrest Drive between the Roe Gardens Carpark and Botanic Gardens Carpark (which overlooks the Pioneer Women’s Memorial statue and fountain)
- in the Wax and Kangaroo Paw garden – lots of the weeping Silver Princess (Eucalyptus caesia)
- outside the Wanju Marr volunteer hub on Lovekin Drive, where you’ll find a large display collection of mature West Australian eucalypts chosen for their suitability as street trees and for planting in gardens
- along both sides of the Botanic Terraces, near the Botanic Garden entrance
- beside the grassy slope on the river side of the Forrest Roundabout
- within the Conservation Garden, where there are eucalypt species and hybrids that are rare in the wild
Beyond the Botanic Garden:
- around the Whadjuk carpark (the main carpark) and outside Aspects Gallery
- around the base of the reservoir
- along Kattidj Close between the Kings Park Admin Building and the Education Building, and along the path leading to the Wardong Buspark
- within the May Drive Parkland, especially around Zamia Café.
- around Koorak Café (off Kings Park Road)
Once you have explored the eucalypts of Kings Park you can vote for your favourite urban eucalypt at Eucalypt Australia. The 2023 eucalypt of the year was the Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata). Help make this year’s winner a WA species! Voting closes March 20.
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