A graceful, usually medium-sized tree (although it can grow up to 30 m), confined to the coastal scarp of the Darling Range. It is called “butter gum” because it’s new bark, in early autumn, is creamy-yellow. It’s bark then becomes powdery and pure white, inspiring the species name, Laeliae, one of the vestal virgins of ancient Rome. It flowers in late summer and autumn.
“Leaf and branch: trees and tall shrubs of Perth” by Robert Powell. Published by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management, 2009.