Eucalyptus tereticornis
Forest red gum
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Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest red gum) is a non-native California tree in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by distinctive tall horn-shaped smooth bud caps.
Forest red gum is a naturalized shrub found in southern California regions including San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, coastal southern California, northern Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in disturbed coastal areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white stamens with flowers arranged in umbels of 7 to 11 blooms. Growing 10 to 25 meters tall with a straight form, it has distinctive bark that persists near the base and sheds in irregular strips, appearing smooth and gray or tan. Its leaves are long and narrow, measuring 8 to 20 centimeters in length and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide, with a classic lanceolate shape. The fruit is small and hemispheric, measuring 7 to 9 millimeters with valves that extend outward from the center.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinctive tall horn-shaped smooth bud caps
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed coastal areas
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to eastern Australia
Bloom period
Eucalyptus tereticornis blooms May-Aug.
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 tereticornis native to California?
No. Eucalyptus tereticornis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Eucalyptus tereticornis bloom?
Eucalyptus tereticornis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Eucalyptus tereticornis belong to?
Eucalyptus tereticornis is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Eucalyptus.
What habitat does Eucalyptus tereticornis grow in?
Eucalyptus tereticornis grows in Uncommon. Disturbed coastal areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.