Symplocos stawellii
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Symplocos stawellii large Hacking River.JPG
|image_caption = A large Symplocos stawellii growing by the Hacking River, Australia
|genus = Symplocos
|species = stawellii
|authority = F.Muell.
|synonyms =
- Symplocos cochinchinensis subsp. thwaitesii var. stawellii (F.Muell.) Nooteb.
- Symplocos spicata Roxb. var australis Benth.
- Symplocos cochinchinensis Lour. Moore var. stawellii F.Muell. Nooteb.
}}
Symplocos stawellii, or the white hazelwood, is a rainforest tree growing in eastern Australia. It often grows along creeks in gullies, in tropical and sub-tropical rainforests. The natural distribution is from Gerringong Creek in the upper Kangaroo Valley (34° S) of New South Wales to the Atherton Tableland (17° S) in tropical Queensland. It also occurs in New Guinea.
Description
A small to medium-sized tree, up to 30 metres tall and 80 cm in diameter, but usually much smaller. The trunk is straight and cylindrical, the butt is flanged in larger specimens.
The bark is fairly smooth; grey or fawn in colour. Often with horizontal bands. The outer surface sometimes has vertical pustules and horizontal cracks. Leaves alternate, firm and toothed, elliptic in shape 8 to 16 cm long with a rounded leaf tip. The leaf stalk is 9 to 20 mm and smooth. Veins are visible on both sides, more prominent below with the net veins visible.
The fragrant white flowers form in panicles between the months of April to July. The fruit is a fleshy drupe. Blue/black and egg shaped maturing in October to April. The brown pear-shaped seeds are 8 mm long. Fruit eaten by various rainforest birds such as rose-crowned fruit-dove and superb fruit-dove.
Gallery
File:Symplocos stawellii leaf.jpg|Symplocos stawellii leaf on forest floor, Little Mountain, QLD
Image:Symplocos stawellii flowers Hacking River.JPG|Symplocos stawellii flowers on the forest floor, Hacking River, Australia
Image:Symplocos stawellii foliage Hacking River.JPG|Symplocos stawellii foliage, photographed from the forest floor, Hacking River
Image:Podocarpus elatus & Symplocos stawellii Hacking River.JPG|Podocarpus elatus (foreground left) and the trunk of Symplocos stawellii, Hacking River
Image:Symplocos stawellii butt Hacking River.JPG|Symplocos stawellii base of tree, Hacking River
Image:Symplocos stawellii panicle.JPG|flower panicle of Symplocos stawellii
Image:Symplocos stawellii bark close up.JPG|Symplocos stawellii close up of bark
Image:Symplocos stawellii butt Hacking River2.JPG|Symplocos stawellii base of tree, Hacking River
Image:Symplocos stawellii bark witih climber.JPG|Symplocos stawellii, Hacking River
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=1989-12-01 |year=1989 |isbn=0-909605-57-2 |pages=395–397 |access-date=2009-05-24}} [https://www.bookdepository.com/Rainforest-Trees-Mainland-South-Eastern-Australia-G-Floyd/9780909605575?ref=grid-view&qid=1597082346285&sr=1-64 (Publication details included in citation)]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3595211}}
Category:Ericales of Australia