Gossia bidwillii
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
|name = Python tree
|image = Gossia bidwillii flower and foliage.jpg
|image_caption = Gossia bidwillii flower and foliage
|status =
|status_system =
|genus = Gossia
|species = bidwillii
|authority = (Benth.) N.Snow & Guymer
|synonyms =
}}
Gossia bidwillii, known as the python tree is a rainforest myrtle of eastern Australia.{{Cite web |date=8 March 2022 |title=Species profile - Gossia bidwilli |url=https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/details/?id=27383 |access-date=6 August 2022 |website=WildNet Database |publisher=Queensland. Dept. of Environment and Science}}{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Gossia bidwillii (Benth.) N.Snow & Guymer |url=https://apps.lucidcentral.org/rainforest/text/entities/gossia_bidwillii.htm |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Australian tropical rainforest plants |publisher=CSIRO. Lucid Central}}{{Cite web |last=Atlas of Living Australia |first= |date=6 August 2022 |title=Species: Gossia bidwillii (Lignum) |url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2919596 |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=bie.ala.org.au |language=en-AU}} The usual habitat is the drier rainforest areas. The range of natural distribution is from the Hunter River (32° S) in New South Wales to Coen (13° S) in far northern Queensland.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2022 |title=Gossia bidwillii (Benth.) N. Snow & Guymer |url=https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Gossia~bidwillii |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=PlantNET - FloraOnline |publisher=National Herbarium of New South Wales}}
Other common names include lignum-vitae, scrub ironwood and smooth-barked ironwood.
Taxonomy
The species was first described in 1867 by George Bentham as Myrtus bidwillii,{{APNI2|name=Gossia bidwillii|id=180918|access-date=2024-12-05}}Bentham, G. (5 January 1867), [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16483958 Orders XLVIII. Myrtaceae- LXII. Compositae. Flora Australiensis 3: 275-276] but in 2003 was transferred to the genus, Gossia, by Neil Snow, Gordon Guymer and Sawvel.{{cite Q|Q55767955|pages=1-95 39-44, Figs. 10, 11}}
Description
A medium-sized tree, usually around 18 to 25 metres tall and up to 20 cm in trunk diameter. The trunk is crooked and not cylindrical, the bark being smooth and orange/brown in colour with attractive green blotchy markings. Hence the common name of Python Tree. The bark sheds in thin papery flakes.
Branchlets are smooth and brown. The leaves are opposite, simple and not toothed, being 5 to 8 cm long. Elliptic to ovate in shape with a leaf stem 3 to 6 mm long. Oil dots prominent when viewed with a lens, the leaf has a faint eucalyptus smell. Leaf venation evident, with a raised midrib on both sides, and an intramarginal vein around the leaf edge.
File:Gossia bidwillii seedlings.jpg
White, scented flowers form between October and December.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2022 |title=Gossia bidwillii (MYRTACEAE); Python tree, ironwood |url=http://www.brisrain.org.au/01_cms/details_pop.asp?ID=33 |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Brisbane rainforest plants |publisher=Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information network}} The fruit is a black berry. Flattened and warty, 6 mm in diameter. Inside are 3 to 5 attractive mauve coloured seeds. Fruit matures from January to May, eaten by various birds including the Rose crowned fruit dove.
Image:Gossia bidwillii Booyong Reserve July 23, 2000.jpg, Australia]]
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u9EsAQAAMAAJ&q=Rainforest+trees+of+mainland+south-eastern+Australia+inkata+press |title=Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia |first=A. G. |last=Floyd |author-link=Alexander Floyd |publisher=Elsevier Australia - Inkata Imprint, copyright Forestry Commission of New South Wales |location=Port Melbourne |publication-date=1 December 1989 |year=1989 |edition=1st |isbn=0-909605-57-2 |page=245 |access-date=7 June 2009}} [https://www.bookdepository.com/Rainforest-Trees-Mainland-South-Eastern-Australia-G-Floyd/9780909605575?ref=grid-view&qid=1597082346285&sr=1-64 (other publication details, included in citation)]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q5587487}}
Category:Myrtales of Australia
Category:Flora of New South Wales
Category:Taxa named by George Bentham
Category:Taxa named by Neil Wilton Snow