Irvingbaileya australis (C.T.White) R.A.Howard

Howard, R.A. (1943) Brittonia 5: 50. Type: ?.

Beech, Buff; Buff Beach; Irvingbaileya; Wax Berry

Oak grain in the wood and a similar pattern in the inner blaze. White granular stripes in the outer blaze.

Fine oak grain in the twigs. Leaf blades about 9-15 x 3-5 cm. Midrib depressed on the upper surface. Petiole grooved on the upper surface. Fallen leaves on the forest floor turn dull black.

Petals about 4-5 mm long. Staminal filaments clothed in erect white hairs. Ovary with a large lateral cream glandular appendage.

Fruits consist of a green carpel about 21-25 x 18-22 mm and a waxy, white, succulent, ovoid appendage about 28-35 x 16-20 mm.

Cotyledons ovate, about 30 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic to obovate, glabrous on the upper surface, midrib depressed or grooved on the upper surface; petiole hairy. Seed germination time 372 to 473 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1200 m, most collections coming from the Atherton Tableland. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites.

Fallen fruit eaten by Cassowaries. Satin Bowerbirds sometimes use the fruit (white side up) as bower decorations. Cooper & Cooper (1994).