The genus Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angopohora are all closely related, and members of the Myrtaceae Family. Corymbia differ from Eucalyptus both morphologically (their shape, especially flower structure) and molecularly (their cell structure). The differences represent varying stages of evolution , with Angophoras displaying the most primitive form.

Only a small area of Spotted Gums is found south of the Bega River but “White Bloodwood”, a hybrid of Spotted Gum and Red Bloodwood, was regularly used for saw logs at Mandeni Park around 1900. Today only a single tree remains at Mandeni Park at 60300E 18500N. There are several trees in BNR north east of Mandeni and there is a magnificent specimen at the back of Kangarutha Nursery.

We would like to replant White Bloodwood but have been unable to buy plants. This is because hybrids are rare and are usually infertile. Spotted Gums occur further north than Manna Park, so our White Bloodwood probably was created when Flying-fox (fruit bats) first fed on Spotted Gum nectar, then flew here with pollen on their fur, then fed on local Bloodwoods, causing the cross-pollination.