MELBOURNE STREET TREES 31 - ANGOPHORA

Angophora is a genus of ten species of trees or large shrubs in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to eastern Australia. It is closely related to Corymbia and Eucalyptus, and all three are often referred to as "eucalypts". The differences are that Angophora have opposite leaves rather than alternate, and lack a bud cap or operculum. Angophora also has fruit with sharp ribs, while the fruit of Eucalyptus is usually smooth.

The species vary in appearance from a bushy form, such as the Dwarf Apple (Angophora hispida), to tall trees growing to a height of 30 m. The bark is rough and scaly. The lanceolate leaves are darkgreen. The creamy white flowers grow in large inflorescences. The name Angophora comes from the Greek phora ("carries") from phoreus ("carrier") from pherein ("to carry"), and angos, meaning "box", "jar" or "vessel": This refers to the cup-shaped fruit borne by members of the genus.

This fine specimen is growing in suburban Northcote and I think it is the species Angophora costata. It is known by a variety of names including smooth-barked apple, rose gum, rose apple or Sydney red gum. In its natural environment it grows primarily on sandstone soils, usually on headlands, plateaus or other elevated areas.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme,
and also part of the Nature Footsteps Winged meme.