| Water Gum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Tristaniopsis |
| Species: | T. laurina |
| Binomial name | |
| Tristaniopsis laurina (Sm.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh. |
|
Tristaniopsis laurina, the Water Gum or Kanooka is a tree native to Australia, where it usually grows near the eastern coastline and along the banks of streams, where the trunks and branches tend to be shaped in the direction of the current and give an indication of the flood height. It is popular in cultivation, being easy to grow and making a nice shade tree. Many are grown as street trees, especially in Sydney. The Tristaniopsis laurina has a slow rate of growth, and usually grows to be 15 - 30 feet tall. They are multi-branched and may be clipped to a compact shape. However, they can grow to be 128 feet tall.[1]
The flowers are bright yellow and have a distinctive and to some, an unpleasant odour.[2] They attract honeybees as well as small native species of bee. They usually come out in the late spring or early summer.[3]