Alloxylon wickhamii (W.Hill & F.Muell.) P.H.Weston & Crisp

Proteaceae

Weston, P.H. & Crisp. M.D. (1991) Telopea 4(3): 502.

Oak, Pink Silky; Oak, Satin Silky; Satin Oak; Tree Waratah; Satin Silky Oak; Pink Silky Oak; Oak, Satin

Oak grain in the wood and a matching pattern in the inner blaze.

Leaf blades about 5-17 x 1-3.5 cm. Lateral veins generally depressed on the upper surface and forming loops well inside the blade margin. Oak grain in the twigs.

Pedicels paired, very long, more than half the length of the perianth, common peduncle absent. Pedicels and the outer surface of the tepals glabrous, flower bracts linear, about 5 mm long. Tepals pink-red, about 20-30 mm long. Hypogynous glands absent. Ovary on a long stalk. Ovules about 8-10.

Fruit +/- spindle-shaped, about 5.5-12 cm long. Seed winged at one end, seed + wing about 4-7 cm long, wing about 2.5-5 x 1.5 cm.

Cotyledons broadly obovate, about 12 x 12 mm. First pair of leaves with entire margins. Third and fourth leaves with entire margins. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade +/- linear, apex obtuse or rounded, base attenuate, glabrous, lateral veins forming definite loops inside the blade margin; terminal bud clothed in rusty red hairs. Seed germination time 11 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from 100-1250 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites but is probably more abundant in upland and mountain rain forests.

Not as well known as Alloxylon flammeum but deserves an equal place in horticulture and will grow on a wide range of soil types.

Produces a beautiful soft, silky textured timber with a conspicuous oak grain.

Wood specific gravity 0.53 Cause et al. (1989).

Oreocallis wickhamii (F.Muell.) Sleumer, Botanische Jahrbucher 76: 203(1954). Oreocallis wickhamii W.Hill, Report on the Brisbane Botanic Garden : 6(1874), Type: This superb flowering tree was found at an elevation of 2,500 feet, on Bellenden-Ker Range. Embothrium wickhamii F.Muell., Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 8: 164(1874), Type: In monte Bellenden-Kerii, altitudine circiter 2500 pedum, ubi Heliciae Youngianae adsociatum; Walt. Hill.