Red ironbark Facts

Red ironbark Facts
Red ironbark, also known as Mugga ironbark, is type of eucalyptus. It belongs to the myrtle family. Red ironbark grows natively in south-eastern parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It can be found on the hillsides, slopes and plains. Red ironbark thrives on the poor, shallow, well-drained, sandy, clayey or gravelly soil, in areas that provide plenty of sun. Red ironbark is frequently cultivated in ornamental purposes (especially in the urban areas) and as a source of timber and essential oils.
Interesting Red ironbark Facts:
Red ironbark is medium sized, evergreen tree that can reach 35 to 60 feet in height and 35 to 50 feet in width. It has wide crown made of weeping branches.
Red ironbark produces lance-shaped, grayish-green or bluish-green leaves. They change color into bronze, but remain on the tree during the winter.
Red ironbark has thick, deeply furrowed, dark brown or black bark, filled with reddish resin.
Red ironbark produces white, yellow or pink fluffy flowers arranged in umbels (umbrella-shaped clusters) composed of 7 to 9 individual flowers. Flowers of red ironbark contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers).
Red ironbark blooms from May to November. Flowers are rich source of nectar which attracts bees and birds, main pollinators of this plant.
Fruit of red ironbark is woody capsule, shaped like a wine glass. Capsules remain on the tree until the next winter.
Red ironbark propagates via seed. At temperature of 20 degrees of Celsius, seed starts to germinate in 5 days. Just like other types of eucalyptus, red ironbark cannot be cultivated from cuttings.
Red ironbark provides shelter for various birds, squirrels and sugar gliders during the winter.
Leaves of red ironbark are important source of food for koalas.
Red ironbark tolerates moderate salinity of the soil and it is often cultivated in coastal areas as a windbreak. Thanks to its decorative morphology, red ironbark is also frequently used in landscaping.
Ornamental flowers of red ironbark are used as cut flowers for the preparation of various bouquets.
Red ironbark is highly appreciated by beekeepers because of its flowers that represent excellent source of nectar (which is essential for the manufacture of honey).
Leaves of red ironbark are source of high-quality eucalyptus oil. This oil is used in treatment of respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchitis and cough and for the manufacture of mouthwashes (in the chemical industry), chewing gums and various candies (in the food industry).
Red ironbark has dark red, extremely durable wood that is used for the manufacture of furniture, floorings, poles, joinery, fence posts, piers, bridges, beams and heavy construction. It is also used as firewood.
Red ironbark is perennial plant that can survive more than 15 years in the wild.


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