Category: Nature

Rainforest Tree of the Month (December) – Glochidion hylandii

 Around the world there are up to 300 species of Glochidion.  In the rainforests of tropical Queensland there are 12 with Glochidion hylandii being the one most usually seen in and around Paluma.  It is commonly known as Hyland’s Buttonwood and Pinflower Tree, which can be quite confusing as several other species, very similar in appearance, are also popularly named Pinflower, Buttonwood and Cheese Tree, the last presumably because the fruit is reminiscent of a round cheese.

Glochidion hylandii is a shrub or small tree growing to a height of up to 12 metres, usually to be found on the edges of rainforests or in revegetation areas as a pioneer tree.  The leaves are simple, elliptic and between 30 and 150 mm long with clearly defined veins. Upper surfaces are smooth, or sparsely covered with fine hair while the undersurface is slightly waxy with fine brown hairs.  Flowers, growing in the leaf axils are inconspicuous, being only 2 or 3 mm with 6 green sepals and no petals.

The fruit, about 12 to 15 mm x 8 to 10 mm, is a notable identifying feature of this tree.  Nestling in the leaf axils, the pink and pale green fruit is more reminiscent of a padded cushion than a round cheese.  It is actually a 5 or 6 valved capsule, containing white or cream seeds enclosed in a red or orange aril (fleshy membrane).  Fruiting can occur at any time of year.

Wompoo Fruit-doves eat the fruit of Glochidion hylandii while other species of Glochidion attract a variety of birds such as Double-eyed Fig-parrots, Victoria’s Riflebirds, Silvereyes, Riflebirds and Lewin’s Honey-eaters.

Take a walk around Paluma.  You will see many of these small trees, particularly among the vegetation on the road verges at either end of the village and along the Loop Road.

Article & Photos by Colwyn Campbell

Pink Ash – Alphitonia petriei

 Around the world there are 20 species of this distinctive tree, mostly in tropical Asia, while in Australia there are seven or eight species, found in eastern  northern Australia.  Alphitonias are known by several popular names which can cause some confusion in identifying a particular species. Pink Almond, White-leaf, White Ash, Soap Tree, Sarsaparilla, Red Ash, Red Almond, Foam-bark and Pink Ash are those names most commonly used.

Alphitonia petriei is a pioneer species which grows rapidly on the edge of the forest or in a gap where sunlight can reach.  Trees can grow to a height of 40 meters and sometimes look grotesque with gnarled and twisted limbs and branches which reach out impossible distances laterally from the trunk.  At present trees around Paluma are particularly eye-catching as most are densely covered in white flowers, often with a tiered effect and, from a distance, appear like snow-laden Christmas trees.

The flowers which grow in dense panicles at the ends of branchlets and between leaves are white, cream or pale green. They have five petals, only 1.5 mm long which envelop the stamens. Flowering is usually from September through to March. Pollination is by beetles. Butterflies are also attracted to Alphitonia. The fruit is produced from February to July; globular, dark capsules, which ripen to reveal three orange to red seeds surrounded by a powdery flesh.  Many birds, including King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas, feast on these while fallen fruit is eaten by cassowaries.

Leaves of the Alphitonia are simple, lanceolate and can be 65 to 180 mm long.  The upper surface is glabrous and a dull grey-green in colour while the undersurface is whitish and slightly hairy.  In some species of Alphitonia, notably A. excelsa, the leaves when rubbed in water will produce a soapy froth, hence the popular name Soap Tree.   This species is more commonly found at a lower altitude than that of Paluma.

The bark on the trunk and limbs of this tree is grey, flaky, almost tessellated and if torn gives off a liniment-like odour.  This is a distinctive feature of the tree.  The strong liniment smell of broken twigs and leaves is methyl salicylate, produced in the cambial layers of the limbs.  Some people liken the smell to sarsaparilla, hence another popular name for this tree.  Rainforest Aborigines used the Alphitonia petriei medicinally, probably as a liniment.

Alphitonia petriei is one of the many rainforest trees that contain bio-active chemicals which could potentially produce valuable medicinal drugs.  In his book ‘Plants of Tropical North Queensland’, John Beasley says that “research at Paluma found that more than half the trees tested showed marked bioactivity.”

There are many of these interesting trees growing in and around Paluma.  Particularly good specimens may be seen outside No 62 Mount Spec Road and at the corner of the western entry to Lennox Crescent from Mount Spec Road.

Text and photos by Colwyn Campbell