Scribbly gum
Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.
Read more about Scribbly gum
The scribbly gum is a native Australian eucalyptus tree which is easy to spot because of the distinctive markings along its smooth yellow-grey trunk. These zig-zag tracks or ‘scribbles’ are made by the moth grub as it tunnels between the old and new bark. Every year when the tree sheds the old bark, new markings are revealed.
The scribbly gum generally grows to 15m and produces white flowers in summer, attracting native Australian birds such as honeyeaters.
The scribbly gum is found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. Two other species of scribbly gum are found in NSW: eucalyptus racemosa, which is found nearby; and eucalyptus rossii, which is found on the western slopes of NSW.
Plant facts
- Common name
- Scribbly gum
- Scientific name
- Eucalyptus haemastoma
- Conservation status in NSW
- Protected
Parks in which this plant is found
- Blackheath area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Brisbane Water National Park
- Garigal National Park
- Heathcote National Park
- Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Lane Cove National Park
- Lower Grose Valley area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Lower Snowy River area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Mount Jerusalem National Park
- Muogamarra Nature Reserve
- Southern Blue Mountains area in Blue Mountains National Park