In the south of Western Australia, where the coastline meets ancient forests, the Corymbia ficifolia stands as a testament to resilience and beauty. Often referred to as the Red- Flowering or Yorgam by the Minang Noongar people, this tree is more than just a plant—it’s a symbol woven into this special part of Western Australia. Its roots reach deep into the soil, and its branches stretch towards the sun, showcasing flowers in fiery red tones. These blooms light up the summer landscape, creating a spectacle of colour and life that lasts from December into autumn.

The Corymbia ficifolia was born in a small pocket of the southern coast in the Walpole – Mt Frankland region. From there, it has spread, also becoming a beloved tree in urban landscapes, where it cools, creates shade and cleans the air. When it blooms, its flowers draw in birds, bees, and pollinators, filling the air with the hum of life. Honeyeaters flock to the tree’s vibrant canopy for nectar while Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos (Ngoolaark) chase the seeds, creating a dance of colour as they feed. Meanwhile local beekeepers gather honey that owes its unique and world-class taste to the Corymbia’s nectar-rich blooms.

Beyond its beauty, the tree embodies survival. When fires sweep through the land, a natural part of the Australian ecosystem, the Corymbia ficifolia proves its adaptability, with new growth sprouting from protected buds at the base of the trunk, giving life to scorched landscapes.

For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have understood the tree’s value. They’ve used it to track the changing of the seasons, and its leaves for medicinal purposes, with its healing properties particularly strong for the eyes.

Today, the Corymbia ficifolia is celebrated at the State Buildings, where its strength and elegance bring warmth to the festive season. Together with Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Benara Nurseries, and Fox and Rabbit Premium Flowers, the Corymbia reminds all who see it of nature’s resilience, beauty, and quiet strength. It’s a timeless gift to the people, a vivid flame lighting up both the wild and the city with a story of survival and grace.

FACTS ABOUT THE TREES

• Native to Western Australia: Originally from a small area along the southern coast of WA, Corymbia ficifolia is now commonly found in coastal areas of the Walpole-Mt Frankland region, in the eastern section of the Stirling Range and near Two Peoples Bay. Here in Perth, trees are often grafted on the root stock of Corymbia maculata, adding strength and resilience for Swan Coastal Plain conditions. Grafted specimens can be found in nurseries, and on display in urban streetscapes and in Kings Park near Wadjuk car park.
• Resilient with Assistance: Growing on sandy soils in low-lying areas, Corymbia ficifolia may appear to be the perfect choice for Perth soils, but is typically found in heath or woodland vegetation, rather than the Banksia woodland of the Swan Coastal Plain. To add these stunning trees to Perth landscapes, grafted plants are the ideal choice, with their root stock resilience and increased colour variety of reds, oranges and pinks.
• Wildlife Magnet: An important food source for the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, these birds seek out the seeds of the tree’s large woody fruits. The flowers, rich in nectar, also attract many species of honeyeaters, alongside other birds, bees and pollinators, making this tree an ideal fauna-friendly addition to home gardens and landscapes.
• Spectacular Flowers: This tree is known for its showy flowers, most often blooming in red, giving the species its common name, Red-flowering Gum. Cultivars of the species sold in nurseries – bred for resilience – flower in vibrant shades of red, pink and orange, with flowers covering the canopy.
• Summer Blooms: While spring is often thought of as the time for flora to burst into colour, the flowers of this tree typically bloom in summer and autumn, lighting up landscapes and home gardens.
• Urban Favourite: As one of the state’s smaller native trees, Corymbia ficifolia is a popular choice for gardens, streetscapes and landscaping, growing to 6m with a thick canopy perfect for casting shade in streetscapes. Grafted trees available in many nurseries couple the tree’s manageable size and dense canopy with the resilience of the Corymbia maculata’s root stock, to create the perfect tree for Perth soils and climate.
• Health and Longevity: Some Corymbia species can live for centuries, contributing significantly to local ecosystems over their lifetime. A vital addition to Perth’s urban canopy, a mature Yorgam will uptake around 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over a 20-year period.
• Traditional Uses: Corymbia ficifolia played an important role as a seasonal indicator for Australia’s first people, indicating the start of the warmer months and the coming of Birak. The tree is also an important medicinal plant, with the leaves holding healing properties, particularly for the eyes.