species: Corymbia ficifolia
common name: red-flowering gum tree
family: Myrtaceae
where & when encountered: Pacific Grove, CA - 2013
Actually I had seen these trees for years before learning their name around 2013. It's a classic Australian import in the same family as Eucalyptus. The term "gum tree" refers to trees that exude a sticky sap-like substance. Their native range in the southwest corner of Australia is actually quite small.
Funny... I had never really thought about the "gum tree" reference.
ReplyDelete