Cryptocarya bidwillii Meisn.

Meisner, C.D.F. in Candolle, A.L.P.P. de (ed.) (1864), Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15(1): 74. Type: J.C. Bidwill 38, Wide Bay (K, holotype).

Yellow Laurel

Tree to 20 metres; bark grey to greyish-brown, mostly smooth with horizontal cracks and vertical rows of reddish lenticels so as to appear scaly; new growth reddish; buds densely hairy; stems becoming glabrous; stipules absent.

Simple, alternate; lamina narrow elliptic to oblong elliptic, 60-120mm by 20-40mm, tough to stiff in texture; apex acuminate to a blunt point; base cuneate; margin entire and undulate; both surfaces glossy green, the underside paler; midrib raised on both surfaces; pinnately veined with 4-9 pairs of main laterals distinct on both surfaces, mostly yellowish-green, reticulum areolate, more prominent on upper side when dry; domatia absent; oil dots distinct, numerous, very small; crushed leaves with a spicy smell; petiole 5-12mm.

Inflorescence axillary, racemose, sometimes forming terminal panicles, usually longer than the foliage. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, 3-merous, 3-4mm long, cream to greenish; tepals 6, persistent in fruit; stamens 9 plus 3 staminodes; ovary superior; floral parts shortly perigynous.

Fleshy berry, completely enclosed in enlarged fleshy receptacle forming a ‘false fruit’ that appears inferior with remains of the tepals at the apex of the receptacle; false fruit ellipsoidal to ovoid, 9-11mm, bluish-black; seed solitary, 8-10mm.

Features not available.

Occurs in the southern part of NEQ,CEQ and southwards to north eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range from sea level to 1100 m. Grows in more seasonal rain forests.

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