Eucalyptus sideroxylon
Red iron bark
(c) Wendy F, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Red iron bark) is a non-native California tree in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by unique persistent dark furrowed bark and often pink stamens.
Red iron bark is a naturalized shrub found in coastal central California regions including the Central Coast, southern coastal ranges, southern California, northern Channel Islands, and western Transverse Ranges at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from December to February, this plant produces pink to red (occasionally white) flowers in small umbels of 5 to 7 blossoms. Growing as a multi-stemmed shrub up to 25 meters tall with a distinctive dark brown to nearly black bark that is deeply furrowed and hard, it develops a robust and textural appearance. Its leaves are dull gray-green, lanceolate, measuring 6 to 14 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide, creating a dense, muted foliage canopy. The fruit is approximately 1 centimeter long, ovoid in shape with valves that remain enclosed within the flower structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; unique persistent dark furrowed bark and often pink stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Coastal, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, Contra Costa, San Diego, Butte, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, Ventura, Santa Clara, Monterey
Outside California: native to southeastern Australia, commonly cultivated in California
Bloom period
Eucalyptus sideroxylon blooms Dec-Feb.
How to tell it apart
vs Corymbia: Check the bud cap texture - Corymbia caps are usually warty or ribbed, Eucalyptus smooth; vs Quercus: Oak flowers are tiny catkins; eucalyptus flowers are showy stamen bursts with caps; vs Melaleuca: Bottlebrush has normal petals in dense spikes; eucalyptus petals fuse into detachable cap; vs Salix: Willow has fuzzy catkins and narrow leaves; eucalyptus has caplike buds and aromatic leaves; vs Acacia: Acacia has yellow fluffy balls and compound leaves; eucalyptus has white bursts and simple leaves
Frequently asked questions
Is Eucalyptus sideroxylon native to California?
No. Eucalyptus sideroxylon is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Eucalyptus sideroxylon bloom?
Eucalyptus sideroxylon blooms Dec-Feb.
Where in California does Eucalyptus sideroxylon grow?
Eucalyptus sideroxylon occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, Contra Costa, San Diego, Butte, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Eucalyptus sideroxylon belong to?
Eucalyptus sideroxylon is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Eucalyptus.
What habitat does Eucalyptus sideroxylon grow in?
Eucalyptus sideroxylon grows in Uncommon. Coastal, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.