Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition

Falcataria toona (F.M.Bailey) Gill.K.Br., D.J.Murphy & Ladiges


Tree
Click/tap on images to enlarge
Flowers and buds. © CSIRO
Leaves and Flowers. © CSIRO
Fruit [not vouchered]. CC-BY J.L. Dowe
10th leaf stage. © CSIRO
Cotyledon and 1st leaf stage, epigeal germination. © CSIRO
Scale bar 10mm. © CSIRO
Family

Brown, G.K., Murphy, D.J. & Ladiges, P.Y. (2011). Cladistics 27: 10.

Common name

Acacia Cedar; Cedar, Acacia; Cedar, Mackay; Mackay Cedar; RED SIRIS; Siris, Red

Stem

Deciduous; leafless for a period in September or October. Heartwood pink or red.

Leaves

Leaflets very small, about 3-9 mm long. A fairly large raised gland normally visible on the upper surface of the compound leaf petiole about 5-20 mm from the twig. Similar, but smaller, glands sometimes visible at the point of attachment of the secondary axes.

Flowers

Flowers sessile. Calyx and corolla almost glabrous on the outer surface. Corolla tube about 4.5 mm long, lobes about 1.5-2 mm long. Staminal filaments about 5-10 mm long, fused to form a tube in the lower half, but free in the upper half. Ovary sessile, ovules about 8-10.

Fruit

Pods flat, about 10-13 x 2-2.5 cm. Seeds flat, about 9 x 7 mm, marked by a pleurogram.

Seedlings

Cotyledons fleshy, without venation. First pair of leaves bipinnate. At the tenth leaf stage: leaflet blades linear, about 7-9 x 1-2 mm, apex acute or obtuse, base oblique, glabrous on the upper surface, venation often looping backwards, crater-like glands on the upper surface at the apex of the compound leaf petiole and the base of secondary axes; petiole and rhachis pubescent; stipules persistent, linear-triangular, pubescent. Seed germination time 5 to 34 days.

Distribution and Ecology

Probably endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 500 m. Grows in monsoon forest, drier or more seasonal rain forest and quite well developed rain forest on a variety of sites. May extend into New Guinea.

Natural History & Notes

Produces a decorative general purpose timber.

Wood specific gravity 0.72. Cause et al. (1989).

Synonyms

Albizia toona F.M.Bailey, A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora, Supplement 1 : 18(1886), Type: Mackay, Bowen, Endeavour River, and other parts of Tropical Queensland. Lecto: Bowen, F. M. Bailey, BRI. Paraserianthes toona (F.M.Bailey) I.C.Nielsen, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 5: 356 (1983).

RFK Code
384
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