Cerbera floribunda K.Schum.

Schumann, K.M. (1889) Die Flora von Kaiser Wilhelms Land : 111. Type: II. Augusta-Station: Hollrung n. 717, 849. Schone Grashugel am Auguste - Flusse.

Cassowary Plum; Rubber Tree; Plum, Cassowary; Milkwood, Grey; Cassowary Plum Tree; Grey Milkwood

Exudate rapid and copious.

Petioles produce a milky exudate. Leaves crowded towards the ends of the rather stout twigs. Leaf blades about 9-30 x 2-5 cm, petioles about 3-4 cm long. Lateral veins about 13-20 on each side of the midrib.

Flowers about 2.5-3 cm diam., centre pink to reddish. Sepals about 5-6.5 mm long. Corolla tube about 8-12 mm long, lobes about 7-15 mm long.

Fresh fruits produce a milky exudate when cut. Fruits about 9-11 x 4.5-5.5 cm. Endocarp thick, woody and fibrous.

Cotyledons linear to elongate-elliptic, large, about 50 x 15 mm. First pair of leaves lanceolate, about 6-7 x 1.5 cm, glabrous, margins smooth. At the tenth leaf stage: numerous small pale lenticels occur on the stem. Stems and petioles produce a milky exudate. Seed germination time 17 to 299 days.

A widespread species in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to about 500 m. Usually grows in lowland rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Fallen fruit eaten by Cassowaries. Cooper & Cooper (1994).