Cerbera inflata S.T.Blake

Apocynaceae

Blake, S.T. (1959) Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 70: 33. Type: near Goldsborough, Upper Mulgrave River, Qld,28 July 1943, S. T. Blake 15033.

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

Exudate rapid and copious.

Petioles and twigs produce a milky exudate. Leaves crowded towards the ends of rather stout twigs. Leaf blades about 10-26 x 1.5-3 cm, petioles about 2-4 cm long. Lateral veins about 30-40 on each side of the midrib.

Flowers about 10-15 mm diam, centre cream or green. Sepals about 4-8 mm long. Corolla tube about 15-18 mm long, lobes about 6 mm long.

Fresh fruits produce a milky exudate when cut. Fruits about 6-7 x 2-3.5 cm. Endocarp thick, woody and fibrous.

Cotyledons remaining inside the testa. Two or more cataphylls usually produced before the first true leaves which are usually narrowly lanceolate. At the tenth leaf stage: numerous small pale lenticels are produced on the stem. Stems and petioles produce a milky exudate.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the Atherton Tableland and adjacent areas. Altitudinal range from 100-800 m. Usually grows in upland rain forest.

Cerbera manghas auct. non L., Contr. Arnold Arb. 4: 92(1933). Cerbera dilatata S.T.Blake, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 59: 161(1948), Type: QUEENSLAND. Cook District. .. near Goldsborough, upper Mulgrave R., in rain-forest, July 28th, 1943, S.T. Blake 15033; holo: BRI.