Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition
Archidendron ramiflorum (F.Muell.) Kosterm.
Kostermans, A.G.J.H. (1956) Additional Notes on Mimosaceae : 6.
A small slender tree seldom exceeding 10 cm dbh.
Leaflets stalked, the leaflet stalks about 0.5-1 cm long. Compound leaf petioles comparatively short, about 2-3 cm long. A raised gland present on the upper surface at the apex of the compound leaf petiole. Similar glands present on the upper surface of each of the secondary leaf axes between each pair of leaflets. Similar, though smaller, glands produced along the midrib on the upper surface of the leaflet blade. Leaflet blades about 14-28 x 5.2-14.5 cm.
Inflorescence mainly on the stem. Flowers sessile. Peduncles about 5-10 cm long. Staminal filaments cream, about 20-55 mm long.
Fruits mainly on the stem, yellow or orange on the inner surface. Seeds about 13-14 x 8-9 mm, glossy. Cotyledons pale green.
First pair of leaves pinnate, each leaf with two leaflets. At the tenth leaf stage: peg-like glands produced on the upper surface of the compound leaf axis at or near the petiole apex and on the secondary axes between the leaflet stalks; about 3-5 stalked glands also occur along the upper surface of the leaflet midrib; upper surface of leaflet glabrous. Stipules thick and fleshy, about 4 mm long. Crushed roots emit a strong odour like shallots (Allium ascalonicum). Seed germination time 9 to 22 days.
Endemic to NEQ, occurs between Rossville and Tully. Altitudinal range from sea level to 900 m. Grows as an understory tree in well developed lowland and upland rain forest on a variety of sites.
Seeds are eaten by King Parrots. Cooper & Cooper (1994).
A slender tree producing white powder-puff flowers from the trunk. Fruits are large red spirals, yellow inside and seeds are blue-black.
