Mischocarpus stipitatus S.T.Reynolds

Reynolds, S.T. () Flora of Australia 25: 200. Type: State Forest Reserve 185, 17 deg 05S, 145 deg 36 E, Danbulla, near Mareeba, Qld, 27 Aug. 1982, B. Gray 2703; holo: BRI, iso: QRS.

Purple Aril Mischocarp

Usually a small tree but occasionally exceeding 30 cm dbh.

Leaflets about 4-6 in the compound leaf, each leaflet blade about 5.5-14.5 x 2-6 cm. Midrib raised in a depression on the upper surface. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Compound leaf rhachis usually with a median ridge and two grooves on the upper surface.

Calyx (perianth) cupular, about 2 mm long, the lobes about 1 mm long. Petals absent. Stamens eight. Disk crenulate, annular, glabrous.

Fruits glabrous, about 1.8-2.4 cm long (including the stipe) x 1-1.5 cm. Fruits sparsely appressed, villous on the inner surface. Seeds +/- globular, about 0.9-1.2 cm diam., completely enveloped by the aril.

First pair of leaves ovate to ovate-elliptic, blades about 20-30 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic or ovate, glabrous; terminal bud densely clothed in rusty brown hairs. Seed germination time 32 to 231 days.

Occurs in NT, CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 850 m. Grows as an understory tree, usually in drier, more seasonal rain forest.

Forms a densely crowned tree that would be useful for providing shade in parks and gardens. Flowers are small but the red fruits can be showy,