Corymbia papuana, commonly known as Ghost Gum, is an evergreen tree native to open woodlands, monsoon forests, and savannahs in New Guinea and northern Queensland, Australia. It can reach up to 40 meters (130 feet) in height and is characterized by its striking smooth, white to cream-colored bark that sheds in flakes. The adult leaves are lance-shaped, and the tree produces flower buds in groups of three or seven. The creamy white flowers bloom in October and November, are perfumed, and are followed by distinctive woody, barrel-shaped or urn-shaped fruit. Young plants and coppice regrowth exhibit hairy, elliptic to egg-shaped or lance-shaped leaves, which differ from the adult foliage.

Ghost Gum is valued for its ornamental bark and fragrant flowers, making it a striking feature in large gardens, parks, and as a street tree in suitable climates. It is drought-tolerant, requiring low amounts of water once established, and prefers full sun exposure with well-drained soils. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to borer insects and should be monitored for infestations. This species forms a lignotuber, which allows it to resprout after damage, making it resilient to environmental stresses. Due to its size and potential for falling limbs, it should be planted away from structures and areas of high pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0