Argyrodendron sp. Boonjee (B.Hyland 2139RFK)

Provisional HISPID phrase name.

Oak, Red Tulip; Oak, Boonjie Tulip; Red Tulip Oak; Boonjee Tulip Oak

Bark often coarsely flaky but not obviously tessellated.

Younger leaves shiny brown on the lower surface. Leaflet blades about 7.5-15 x 1.8-4.2 cm. Midrib slightly raised or slightly raised in a groove on the upper surface of the leaflet blade. Twig bark strong and fibrous when stripped. Pores in the twig pith visible with a lens and just visible to the naked eye.

Outer surface of the flower buds clothed in pale brown scales. Flowers about 9-11 m diam. Inner surface of the perianth tube clothed in stellate hairs or scales to the base. Anthers about 21 per flower.

Basal, i.e. globular part of the fruiting carpel +/- smooth, clothed in dark brown scales. Fruiting carpel + wing about 6-8 cm long.

Cotyledons fleshy, about 12 x 10 mm. First pair of leaves ovate, apex acuminate, lower surface brown from scales. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves glabrous on the upper surface, lower surface brown from scales, midrib flush with or depressed on the upper surface; stipules small, scaly, caducous. Seed germination time 16 to 36 days.

Probably endemic to NEQ, restricted to the Atherton Tableland and its immediate vicinity. Altitudinal range from 600-800 m. Grows in well developed upland rain forest and is usually found on deep red soils derived from basalt.

Produces a useful general purpose timber suitable for house construction where not exposed to the weather. Particularly well suited for polished floors.

Wood specific gravity 0.91 Cause et al. (1989).