Ormosia ormondii (F.Muell.) Merr.

Fabaceae

Merrill, E.D. (1943) Sargentia 3: 79.

Yellow Bean; Bean, Yellow

Bark brownish or khaki coloured. Blaze odour resembling that of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Compound leaves usually whorled or clustered in groups on the twigs. Leaflet blades about 7-21 x 3.5-8 cm. Midrib depressed on the upper surface of the leaflet blade, leaflet stalk slightly swollen, and transversely wrinkled but with a groove on the upper surface. Lateral veins curved throughout their length and forming only indistinct loops inside the blade margin.

Calyx pubescent on the outer surface. Calyx tube longer than the lobes, lobes about 5 mm long. Petals glabrous, stalked, venation radiating from the base, petal + stalk about 20-25 mm long. Stamens 10, filaments pink, about 30 mm long. Ovary stalked, ovary and style pink, stigma green.

Pods about 5-9 x 2 cm, constricted between the seeds, calyx usually persistent. Seeds turgid, about 10-12 x 8-10 mm. Testa hard, bright red, hilum basal, +/- orbicular or oval.

First pair of leaves ovate to narrowly cordate. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf or leaflet blades ovate, apex acuminate, base rounded, glabrous, very small scale leaves sometimes occur at the base of the pulvinus before the leaves are trifoliolate. Seed germination time 26 to 251 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 400 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites but often encountered on creek and river banks.

A medium to large tree suitable for parks and street plantings. The large bunches of pink flowers are attractive to Honeyeaters and Parrots.

Produces a useful general purpose timber.

Podopetalum ormondi F.Muell., Syst. Census Austral. Pl. 1882: 42(), Type: Queensland, Barron River, E. Cowley (?).