Plant · GBIF taxon 3188062
Water Gum
Tristaniopsis laurinaAlso known as Kanooka, Kanooka Gum
Water gums line eastern Australian waterways with smooth, pale bark that peels in soft ribbons to reveal creamy underlying wood. In early summer, bright yellow five-petaled blossoms burst across dense dark green foliage, filling the air with a sweet honeylike fragrance that draws native bees and honeyeaters. Stems along riverbanks often lean downstream, permanently shaped by torrents during heavy seasonal floods.
Riparian TreeEvergreenFlowering Tree
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Sawfly Larvae
- Longicorn Beetles
ThreatsMyrtle rust, stream bank clearing, urban weed invasion
HabitatsStream banks, rainforest margins, coastal creek beds
Life span50–100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMyrtaceae
- SpeciesTristaniopsis laurina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Seasonal Bloom: Look for vibrant yellow summer flowers that attract native Australian pollinators.
- Flood Markers: Examine trunk angles along creeks to identify historical flood current directions.
- Gardening Context: Widely planted as an urban street tree for its non-invasive root system.
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