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Angophora costata Gaertn., Britten 1916 subsp. costata

Common name(s): Sydney Red Gum, Rusty Gum, Smooth-barked Apple

Family: Myrtaceae Synonym(s): Metrosideros costata Gaertn., Angophora lanceolata Cav.
Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 29th November, 2024 at Gawler, South Australia
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf_front
Leaf (Front)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Flower_bud
Flower Bud
Taken by Ken Harrington
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Ken Harrington
Inflorescence
Inflorescence
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
Taken by Ken Harrington
Stem_upper
Stem (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NC, CT, CC, SC
  • QLD: LE, PC, BN, WB, MO
Plant Type
Evergreen Tree
Evergreen Tree
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub
Oceanic,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full
Sun - Full
Habitat Range(s)
Forest - Littoral, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Forest - Littoral,
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Habitat Zone(s)
Forest Margins, Coastal margins, Exposed, Exposed Stony embankments, Foothills, Garden, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Hills, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Plains, Ridges, Riparian areas, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Rock crevices, Rocky, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Slopes, Water sides, Well drained, Windy
Forest Margins,
Coastal margins,
Exposed,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Foothills,
Garden,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Hills,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Landscape,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Plains,
Ridges,
Riparian areas,
Rivers / Creeks / Streams,
Rock crevices,
Rocky,
Sandy Moist,
Scattered,
Slopes,
Water sides,
Well drained,
Windy
Mature Height
20-25m, 25-30m
20-25m,
25-30m
Mature Width
10-15m, 15-20m
10-15m,
15-20m
Plant Shape
Domed - Broad
Domed - Broad
Domed - Broad Domed - Broad
Growth Rate
Moderate, Fast
Moderate,
Fast
Maturity
8-10 yrs
8-10 yrs
Life Span
75-100yrs.
75-100yrs.
Leaf Properties
Juvenile Leaf Colour(s) (front)
Red-green, Green, Red-brown
Red-green,
Green,
Red-brown
Juvenile Leaf Colour(s) (back)
Red-brown, Green, Red-green
Red-brown,
Green,
Red-green
Juvenile Leaf Shape(s)
Elliptical
Elliptical
Ovate
Ovate
Elliptical Elliptical,
Ovate Ovate
Juvenile Leaf Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Juvenile Leaf Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Juvenile Leaf Length
60-65mm, 65-70mm, 70-75mm, 75-80mm, 80-85mm, 85-90mm, 90-95mm, 95-100mm, 100-125mm
60-65mm,
65-70mm,
70-75mm,
75-80mm,
80-85mm,
85-90mm,
90-95mm,
95-100mm,
100-125mm
Juvenile Leaf Width
20-22.5mm, 22.5-25mm, 25-27.5mm, 27.5-30mm, 30-35mm, 35-40mm, 45-50mm, 50-55mm, 55-60mm, 60-65mm
20-22.5mm,
22.5-25mm,
25-27.5mm,
27.5-30mm,
30-35mm,
35-40mm,
45-50mm,
50-55mm,
55-60mm,
60-65mm
Juvenile Leaf Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Juvenile Leaf Attachment
Sessile
Sessile
Sessile Sessile
Juvenile Leaf Apice(s)
Acute Narrowly
Acute Narrowly
Acute Narrowly Acute Narrowly
Juvenile Leaf Base(s)
Cuneate
Cuneate
Obtuse
Obtuse
Cuneate Cuneate,
Obtuse Obtuse
Juvenile Leaf Cross Section
Flat
Flat
Flat Flat
Juvenile Leaf Arrangement
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate Opposite & Decussate
Colour (front)
Glossy, Green
Glossy,
Green
Colour (back)
Green
Green
Shape(s)
Falcate
Falcate
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Falcate Falcate,
Lanceolate Lanceolate
Aroma
Spicy-Slight
Spicy-Slight
Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Leathery
Leathery
Glabrous Glabrous,
Leathery Leathery
Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Leathery
Leathery
Glabrous Glabrous,
Leathery Leathery
Leaf Length(s)
70-80mm, 80-90mm, 90-100mm, 100-125mm, 125-150mm, 150-175mm, 175-200mm
70-80mm,
80-90mm,
90-100mm,
100-125mm,
125-150mm,
150-175mm,
175-200mm
Leaf Width(s)
10-15mm, 15-20mm, 20-25mm, 25-30mm, 30-40mm
10-15mm,
15-20mm,
20-25mm,
25-30mm,
30-40mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Cross Section(s)
Flat
Flat
Flat Flat
Venation(s)
Pinnate
Pinnate
Pinnate Pinnate
Arrangement
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate Opposite & Decussate
Apice(s)
Acute Narrowly
Acute Narrowly
Acute Narrowly Acute Narrowly
Base(s)
Cuneate
Cuneate
Obtuse
Obtuse
Cuneate Cuneate,
Obtuse Obtuse
Attachment
Petiolate
Petiolate
Petiolate Petiolate
Petiole Length
7.5-10mm, 10-12.5mm, 12.5-15mm, 15-17.5mm, 17.5-20mm, 20-25mm
7.5-10mm,
10-12.5mm,
12.5-15mm,
15-17.5mm,
17.5-20mm,
20-25mm
Petiole Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Petiole Colour
Brown-red
Brown-red
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Orange-brown , Pink
Orange-brown,
Pink
Colour(s) Lower
Grey, Grey-brown, Orange-brown
Grey,
Grey-brown,
Orange-brown
Texture(s) Upper
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Textures(s) Lower
Pitted
Pitted
Scaly
Scaly
Smooth
Smooth
Pitted Pitted,
Scaly Scaly,
Smooth Smooth
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Lignotuber
Lignotuber
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid
Lignotuber Lignotuber,
Wood Fibres / Solid Wood Fibres / Solid
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem Feature(s)
Bark - Sheds, Short Strips , Trunk-multi , Trunk-single
Bark - Sheds, Short Strips,
Trunk-multi,
Trunk-single
Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter
400-450mm, 450-500mm, 500-550mm
400-450mm,
450-500mm,
500-550mm
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Mid - Summer Early
Flower Colour(s)
Cream-white, White
Cream-white,
White
Flower Shape(s)
Filamental Cyathiform
Filamental Cyathiform
Filamental Cyathiform Filamental Cyathiform
Flower Size(s) Width
15-20mm
15-20mm
Petal Size
4-5mm
4-5mm
Petal Shape(s)
Reniform
Reniform
Reniform Reniform
Aroma(s)
Sweet-slight
Sweet-slight
Attachment
Pedicelate
Pedicelate
Pedicelate Pedicelate
Pedicel Size (flower stem)
3-4mm, 4-5mm, 5-6mm, 6-7mm, 7-8mm, 8-9mm, 9-10mm, 10-11mm, 11-12mm, 12-13mm, 13-14mm, 14-15mm
3-4mm,
4-5mm,
5-6mm,
6-7mm,
7-8mm,
8-9mm,
9-10mm,
10-11mm,
11-12mm,
12-13mm,
13-14mm,
14-15mm
Pedicel Colour
Brown-red
Brown-red
Pedicel Texture
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Arrangement(s)
Corymb Compound
Corymb Compound
Corymb Compound Corymb Compound
Terminal
Terminal
Arrangement Size(s)
5-10mm, 10-15mm, 15-20mm, 20-25mm
5-10mm,
10-15mm,
15-20mm,
20-25mm
Flowers per Arrangement
3-4
3-4
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Bees,
Birds,
Butterflies
Bud / Operculum Shape
Bud - Ovoid
Bud - Ovoid
Bud - Globose
Bud - Globose
Bud - Ovoid Bud - Ovoid,
Bud - Globose Bud - Globose
Petal Number
5
Stamen Number
many
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule
Capsule
Capsule Capsule
Shape(s)
Barrel-shaped
Barrel-shaped
Disc Descending
Disc Descending
Barrel-shaped Barrel-shaped,
Disc Descending Disc Descending
Outer Colour(s)
Brown-red
Brown-red
Outer Texture
Ribbed
Ribbed
Ribbed Ribbed
Ribbed-Slightly
Ribbed-Slightly
Length
10-15mm, 15-20mm
10-15mm,
15-20mm
Aroma
None
None
Season of Fruiting
Summer Late
Summer Late
Maturation for Fruiting
4 yrs., 5 yrs., 6 yrs.
4 yrs.,
5 yrs.,
6 yrs.
Seed Properties
Type
Achene
Achene
Achene Achene
Colour(s)
Brown, Red-brown
Brown,
Red-brown
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid
Texture(s)
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Seed Length
5-6mm, 6-7mm, 7-8mm
5-6mm,
6-7mm,
7-8mm
Seed Dispersal
Gravity, Insects, Wind
Gravity,
Insects,
Wind
Seed Number
many
Root Properties
Type
Plate
Plate
Plate Plate
Shallow
Shallow
Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Hard , Woody
Hard,
Woody
Colour(s)
Brown Dark
Brown Dark
Invasiveness
Medium-High
Medium-High
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition(s)
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Moist - Dry
Moist - Dry
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist,
Moist - Dry Moist - Dry
Fertile , Poor , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Poor,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Soil / Water Contamination Tolerance(s)
Grey Water
Grey Water
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR3 - never let soil dry out,
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Nectar, Insect, Seed, Nesting, Habitat
Nectar,
Insect,
Seed,
Nesting,
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Carbon Sequestration Potential
High
High
Wood Density
Medium High 600 - 800 kg/c.m.
Medium High 600 - 800 kg/c.m.
Coastal
1st Line
1st Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Regeneration(s)
Epicormic Buds
Epicormic Buds
Fire Retarding
Poor
Poor
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Minimum Temperature Tolerance
0 - 2°C
0 - 2°C
Smog Tolerant
Good
Good
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Street Use
Moderate
Moderate
Commercial Use(s)
Horticulture - Amenity
Horticulture - Amenity
Maintenance(s)
Pruning - Canopy Lift, Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Shaping
Pruning - Canopy Lift,
Pruning - Formative,
Pruning - Shaping
Pests/Diseases
Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii), Borers, Eucalypt Sawfly, Myrtaceae Tip Blight, Psyllid
Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii),
Borers,
Eucalypt Sawfly,
Myrtaceae Tip Blight,
Psyllid
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Park land, Coppiced, Branch-dropper, Fire Resistant, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Informal, Garden-Woodland, Sand Binder, Shade tree-Light, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Windbreak
Garden-Park land,
Coppiced,
Branch-dropper,
Fire Resistant,
Garden-Australian Native,
Garden-Informal,
Garden-Woodland,
Sand Binder,
Shade tree-Light,
Shady Moist,
Soil Binder,
Specimen,
Sunny Moist,
Windbreak
Dormancy
Summer
Summer
Humidity Requirements
Low, Medium, High
Low,
Medium,
High
Vulnerability
LC - Least Concern
LC - Least Concern
Altitude Range - Habitat
0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m, 1,000-1,250m, 1,250-1,500m, 1,500-1,750m, 1,750-2,000m, 2,000-2,250m, 2,250-2,500m, 2,500-2,750m, 2,750-3,000m, 3,000-3,250m, 3,250-3,500m, 4,000m>
0-100m,
100-200m,
200-300m,
300-400m,
400-500m,
500-600m,
600-700m,
700-800m,
800-900m,
900-1,000m,
1,000-1,250m,
1,250-1,500m,
1,500-1,750m,
1,750-2,000m,
2,000-2,250m,
2,250-2,500m,
2,500-2,750m,
2,750-3,000m,
3,000-3,250m,
3,250-3,500m,
4,000m>
Annual Precipitation Range
600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 950mm, 1,000mm, 1,100mm, 1,200mm
600mm,
650mm,
700mm,
750mm,
800mm,
850mm,
900mm,
950mm,
1,000mm,
1,100mm,
1,200mm
Fertilising Requirements
FR8 - apply Australian Native Plant fertiliser every 6 mths
FR8 - apply Australian Native Plant fertiliser every 6 mths
Wind Tolerance
Strong Winds
Strong Winds
Propagation
Fresh Seed
Weed Potential(s)
New Zealand
  • N.Z.: Naturalised

General Notes

A large, handsome tree often gnarled and crooked with pink to pale grey bark shed in spring showing new salmon-pink bark. The timber can be brittle so isn't used much in construction. As it can drop branches do not plant where it will overhang a building. Makes a nice specimen tree in a larger garden or landscape setting.

There is two sub species 

  • Angophora costata subsp. costata, no hairs on the flower and smaller fruit
  • Angophora costata subsp. euryphlla, hairs on the base of the flower, larger fruit

Propagation Notes

Fresh Seed
Material Preparation

Collect seed when the capsule turns brown. Place in a paper bag and allow to dry fully in a warm, dry place for 1-2 weeks and the seed will fall out of the capsule. Clean or leave with the frass.  Store in a cool dark place before sowing.  Seeds are non-dormant.          

Viability:-         1- 5 years   (95%)

Seeds/gram:- 

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow seed on the surface, cover lightly with fine gravel, water in, keep moist, place outside. Optimal temperature for germination is 20-28o C                    

Viable seeds/gram:- 

Germination time:-  7 - 30 days

Pricking out:-           5 – 8 weeks into tubes after germination

Tube Mix:-                Premium Seed Raising Mix