What is the Difference Between Corymbia and Eucalyptus

The key difference between Corymbia and Eucalyptus is that Corymbia is a genus of about one hundred species of flowering plants, while Eucalyptus is a genus of more than 700 species of flowering plants.

“Eucalyptus” refers to any woody plant with capsule fruiting bodies belonging to one of seven closely related genera found across Australia. Corymbia, along with Eucalyptus, Angophora, and several smaller groups, is collectively referred to as Eucalypts. Until 1990, plants of Corymbia were included in the genus Eucalyptus. However, there is still considerable disagreement among botanists regarding whether separating them is valid. Therefore, Corymbia and Eucalyptus are two genera of flowering plants.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Corymbia  
3. What is Eucalyptus
4. Similarities – Corymbia and Eucalyptus
5. Corymbia vs. Eucalyptus in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Corymbia and Eucalyptus
7. Summary – Corymbia vs. Eucalyptus

What is Corymbia?

Corymbia species are also known as bloodwoods. It is a genus of about one hundred species of tree. The species of Corymbia occur in all mainland states of Australia and in the Northern Territory. The species of this genus are all endemic to Australia, with the exception of four species also found in New Guinea. Additionally, one species is endemic specifically to New Guinea.

The plants of this genus are mallee-like, characterized by rough, fibrous, or flaky bark, or smooth bark that sheds in small flakes or short strips. The leaves of young plants differ from adult leaves, and the leaves of adult plants are arranged alternately with oil glands. Moreover, the flower buds of these plants are arranged in groups on a branching peduncle, with each branch typically having seven buds. However, the pedicels on each branch vary in length. Consequently, the inflorescence of these plants is flat-topped or convex. In the inflorescence, the anthers are joined to the filament at their midpoint, and they open by parallel slits.

What is Eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus is a genus of more than 700 species of flowering plants. It contains mallee-like plants and few shrubs. Plants in this genus have bark that is either smooth, fibrous, hard, or stringy.  The leaves of plants have oil glands, and their sepals and petals are fused to form an operculum over the stamens. Moreover, the fruit of these plants is a woody capsule commonly known as a “gumnut”.

Most species of Eucalyptus are native to Australia. Normally, about three-quarters of Australian forests are eucalypt forests. Furthermore, many of these species have adapted to wildfire. In addition to that, these plants are able to resprout after a fire or have seeds that survive from fire. A few species are also native to islands north of Australia and a very small number are only found outside the continent.  These plants have valuable timber, or they can be used for pulpwood, honey production, or essential oils.

What are the Similarities Between Corymbia and Eucalyptus?

• Corymbia, along with Eucalyptus, Angophora, and several smaller groups, are referred to as Eucalypts.
• Until 1990, plants of Corymbia were included in the genus Eucalyptus.
• The plants of both genera are mainly found in Australia.
• In both genera, the flowers of plants have five sepals that are fused to form an outer calyptra and five petals that are fused to form an inner calyptra.
• In both genera, the fruit of the plants is normally a woody capsule.

What is the Difference Between Corymbia and Eucalyptus?

Corymbia is a genus of about one hundred species of flowering plants, while Eucalyptus is a genus of more than 700 species of flowering plants. Thus, this is the key difference between Corymbia and Eucalyptus. Furthermore, all plants of the Corymbia genus are mallee-like. On the other hand, the majority of plants of Eucalyptus are mallee-like and a few are shrubs.

The infographic below presents the differences between Corymbia and Eucalyptus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Corymbia and Eucalyptus

What is the common name for Corymbia?

Bloodwoods is the common name of Corymbia.

Are there two types of Eucalyptus?

The two types of Eucalyptus are mallee-like and shrubs.

What is the common name for eucalyptus?

Southern blue gum or blue gum is the common name of Eucalyptus.

Summary – Corymbia vs. Eucalyptus

Corymbia and Eucalyptus are two genera classified as Eucalypts. Until 1990, plants of Corymbia were part of the Eucalyptus genus. However, Corymbia is now a separate genus comprising around one hundred species, while Eucalyptus stands as a distinct genus with over 700 species. Notably, all plants of the Corymbia genus exhibit a mallee-like growth habit, whereas the majority of Eucalyptus plants are mallee-like, with only a few being shrubs. So, this summarizes the key differences between Corymbia and Eucalyptus.

Reference:

1. “Eucalyptus.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.
2. “Corymbia – An Overview.” ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Corymbia ficifolia Flowers” By JJ Harrison – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Eucalyptus grandis” By Mauricio Mercadante (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr