Red-flowering gum blossom

Gum Trees are the Australian trees - as much a part of the landscape as our central deserts, koalas and kangaroos, beaches and coastal cities.

Unlike many flowers, the gum blossom doesn't consist of petals. The colourful bloom is provided by the stamens, which attract pollinators such as insects or nectar-feeding birds. While many gum blossoms are white, they come in a kaleidoscope of other colours, including sulphur, orange, vermilion, red, pink, lime and purple.

I spotted a New Holland Honeyeater in this Ironbark red-flowering gum (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) in front of the Mitcham Shopping Centre. The bird was gone by the time I removed my lens cap, so this blossom made a pretty interesting second choice.

See more red.

The red-flowering gum is widely grown across southern Australia for its fiery show of blooms, which can completely hide the foliage of the tree in summer.