Desert Bloodwood | |
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Bloodwood tree in Karijini, Western Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Corymbia |
Species: | C. terminalis |
Binomial name | |
Corymbia terminalis |
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Synonyms | |
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Corymbia terminalis, also known as the Desert Bloodwood, is a tree native to Australia. The tree is most well known for the distinctive red kino that it exudes. Australian Aboriginal people collect bush coconuts (a type of bush tucker) from the tree, which are produced by an insect in gall.[1]
Region
The tree grows in the desert climate of Australia's Northern Territory, Central Australia (particularly around Alice Springs) as well as Western Australia and South Australia.[1]
Description
The desert bloodwood has a rough bark, which when penetrated oozes a thick red kino. Typical of desert flora, the tree has tough leathery leaves. Flowers appear during cooler months, producing pollen and nectar which is harvested by a variety of wildlife. The hard fruit produced by the tree is the gumnut. The tree generally grows 8 – 10 metres (30 feet) in height.[1]
Use in bush medicine
Occasionally a bloodwood tree will shed a piece of bark, hence opening a "wound" through which a blood-like kino will flow. The sap flows until it crystallises, covering up the hole in the bark. Australian Aboriginals collect this substance as bush medicine. They apply the sticky gum directly to sores or cuts and it works as an antiseptic. If the sap is in a dried form, it can be crushed into powder and boiled in water to use as an antiseptic wash.[2]
Another use of the bloodwood sap by Aboriginal people is to tan "kangaroo-skin waterbags".[1]
Roots
The roots of the bloodwood tree store water. Aboriginal peoples would dig up the roots and drain the water into a container.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d "Nature Notes - Desert Bloodwood Tree". Alice Springs Desert Park.
- ^ "Desert Bush Medicine". Alice Springs Desert Park.
- ^ "Kwatye — water". Alice Springs Desert Park.