Cinnamomum baileyanum (F.Muell. ex F.M.Bailey) W.D.Francis

Lauraceae

Francis, W.D. (1951) Australian Rain-Forest Trees ed. 2 : 4.

Pepperwood; Candlewood; Bollywood; Bollywood, Brown; Brown Bollywood

Blaze odour conspicuous but precise odour difficult to pin-point; spice, pepper, cinnamon, sarsaparilla or Vicks Vaporub.

Twigs 4-angled and clothed in straight, white or pale brown, appressed hairs when young but terete and glabrous at maturity. Leaf blades about 5-13 x 2-5.2 cm, green on the underside, clothed in straight, white or pale brown, appressed hairs when young but almost glabrous at maturity. Midrib +/- flush with the upper surface. Petioles channelled on the upper surface. Oil dots visible with a lens. Freshly broken twigs emit an odour like that of the blaze.

Tepals about 4.5-5.3 mm long. Stamens nine (six opening inwards and three opening outwards). Staminodes three.

Fruiting receptacle or cupule obviously lobed at the apex. Fruits about 18-20 x 10-13 mm when ripe.

At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade prominently 3-veined and slightly glaucous on the underside; oil dots small, visible with a lens. Seed germination time 16 to 21 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and south-eastern Queensland but not recorded in CEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 550 m. Grows in drier rain forest and mountain rain forest.

Stem bark material of this species was active against some tumors. Collins et al. (1990).

Wood specific gravity 0.56-0.70. Hyland (1989).

Persea baileyana F.M.Bailey, A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora, Supplement 2 : 51(1888), Type: Frazers Island.-H. St. John Wood.