The distinctivemarkings often found on the bark arecaused by the scribbly gum moth (Ogmograptis) which tunnels into the bark surface and scribbles all over the tree.

It is a small to medium-sized tree, up to 20m tall. The bark is smooth in colours of white, grey or yellow. The tree sheds the bark in short ribbons.

Scribbly gums can be found on the edges of the Blackbutt forests, on the better drained, higher country of K'gari.