Cryptocarya bidwillii

Cryptocarya bidwillii
Yellow Laurel
Cryptocarya bidwillii - flanged trunk
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cryptocarya
Species: C. bidwillii
Binomial name
Cryptocarya bidwillii
Meisn.

Cryptocarya bidwillii is a small to medium sized tree in the laurel family. Occurring in Australian rainforests from Nymboida in the state of New South Wales to Townsville in tropical Queensland. Often found in the dryer ridges in dry rainforest or in viney scrubs.

Contents

Naming

The type specimen was collected by John Carne Bidwill at Wide Bay, Queensland. Cryptocarya is literally "concealed nut". Alluding to the fleshy perianth concealing the hard seed within. The Swiss botanist Carl Meissner is the describing scientist.

Description

The Yellow Laurel reaches a height of 20 metres and a trunk diameter of 50 cm. Usually seen much smaller, with a low spreading crown on a short bole. Often seen with coppice shoots from the base.

Trunk, bark & leaves

The trunk is straight and round in cross section, though somewhat flanged or buttressed in larger specimens. The bark is grey or brown and usually fairly smooth. Some reddish lenticels or horizontal cracks may be seen. Small branches are smooth with green tips, with raised dots.

Leaves are alternate, elliptic, 6 to 12 cm long, with a blunt tip. Both leaf sides green and glossy. Leaf margins wavy, leaf stalks 5 to 10 mm long. Leaf veins visible on both surfaces, more evident above the leaf. Three to ten lateral veins, angled at 45 degrees to the mid vein. Net veins easily seen. Underneath the leaf, the mid vein is raised and slightly flattened.

Flowers, fruit & germination

White or cream flowers in panicles. Individual flowers about 3 mm long, bell shaped and hairy. Flowering occurs between November to January.

The fruit is a black globular drupe, usually ribbed and pointed. 12 mm in diameter. The seed is around 8 mm in diameter. Fruit ripe from November to February. Eaten by the Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Topknot Pigeon and Wompoo Fruit Dove. Like most Australian Cryptocarya fruit, removal of the fleshy aril is advised to assist seed germination. Seeds germinate well.[1]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Flora of Brisbane — The greater Brisbane area of Queensland Australia, has many species of indigenous flora . This article links the flora to its geography with: *a list of indigenous genera and species with common names and reference links *a list of places you… …   Wikipedia

  • Chavez Ravine Arboretum — The Chavez Ravine Arboretum, in Elysian Park, just north of Dodger Stadium, at 929 Academy Road, Los Angeles, California, USA contains more than 1,000 varieties of trees from around the world, including what are believed to be the oldest and… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Nature Conservation Act vulnerable flora of Queensland — This is a list of the flora of Queensland listed as Vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.* Acacia ammophila * Acacia attenuata * Acacia barakulensis * Acacia baueri subsp. baueri * Acacia chinchillensis * Acacia crombiei * Acacia… …   Wikipedia

  • Chavez Ravine Arboretum — Cascada y rocalla del Elysian Park en 1956. El Arboreto Chavez Ravine (en inglés: Chavez Ravine Arboretum), es un arboreto que se encuentra en Los Ángeles, California, Estados Unidos. Fue el primer arboreto en crearse y el más antiguo del sur de… …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”