Trochocarpa laurina
Trochocarpa laurina is an Australian shrub or small tree. It occurs from near Bermagui (36° S) in southern coastal New South Wales to the Wet Tropics in Queensland. It grows at the summit of Mount Bellenden Ker,[citation needed] which has an average annual rainfall of 8312 mm. The minimum annual rainfall requirement is 1200 mm.[1]
| Trochocarpa laurina | |
|---|---|
| Trochocarpa laurina at Elvina Bay, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Trochocarpa |
| Species: | T. laurina |
| Binomial name | |
| Trochocarpa laurina | |
The habitat is rainforest of various types and wet sclerophyll forest. In August 1990, the then-largest known specimen was documented in the Sydney suburb of Eastwood; it stood 13.4 m (44 ft) tall.[2] Common names include tree heath, axebreaker, sandberry, wheel-fruit, waddy wood, laurel heath and turkey bush.
Description edit
A small tree or shrub with a corky trunk, and heavy low branches. The crooked trunk can be up to 45 cm in diameter, slightly flanged at the base. Often seen around 4 metres tall.[3]
Leaves alternate, grouped at the ends of the branchlets. Not toothed, elliptic, 5 to 7 cm long, pointed at the tip. Glossy green both sides, paler beneath. Five to seven parallel and longitudinal veins on the leaf. New leaves brilliant dark pink or red.[3]
White flowers single or on spikes, 2 to 3 cm long form in all months, mostly seen in June and July. The fruit is a small flattened drupe; purple to black in colour, maturing from March to October. Within the aril of the drupe is a ten ribbed bony endocarp, each of the ten cells within contains a seed. Seed germination is very slow and difficult, taking between two and four years for the first seedling to appear. Fruit eaten by Lewin's honeyeater and the pied currawong.[3]
Ecology and uses edit
Host to the parasitic mistletoe Korthasella rubra ("korthal mistletoe"). Host tree for epiphytes including bird's-nest fern and elk horn fern. Used by Aboriginal Australians for waddies.[1] Timber is hard with an attractive grain.
References edit
- ^ a b "Trochocarpa laurina". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ Floyd, Alexander G. (1990). Australian Rainforests in New South Wales. Vol. 2. Chipping Norton, Australia: Surrey Beatty & Sons (published 1990-08-31). p. 174. ISBN 0-949324-32-9. Retrieved 2009-06-09. (other publication details, included in citation)
- ^ a b c Floyd, A. G. (1989). Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia (1st ed.). Port Melbourne: Elsevier Australia - Inkata Imprint, copyright Forestry Commission of New South Wales (published 1989-12-01). p. 122. ISBN 0-909605-57-2. Retrieved 2009-06-09. (other publication details, included in citation)