Cryptocarya macdonaldii B.Hyland

Hyland, B.P.M. (1989) Australian Systematic Botany 2(2,3): 193-194. Type: B. Hyland 4581 RFK, Bonogin Creek Road, 5.iii.1983 (QRS, holotypus).

Cooloola Laurel

Tree to 30 metres; bark whitish to brown, smooth at first becoming flaky; new growth red; buds densely hairy with brown hairs; stems soon glabrous; stipules absent.

Simple, alternate; lamina elliptic, 40-140mm by 30-50mm wide, glabrous both surfaces; midvein sunken adaxially; penniveined with 8-12 laterals either side of midvein, sunken and prominent adaxially, raised below; reticulum of minor veins very distinct below, especially in dried leaves; apex acuminate to a blunt tip; base cuneate or rounded; margin entire, undulate; oil dots numerous and very small to almost invisible.

Inflorescence axillary or terminal panicles usually exceeding the leaves. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, cream with a fetid scent; perianth of 2 whorls each of 3 tepals fused basally into a perianth tube or hypanthium 1.1-1.3mm long; tepals persistent in the fruit; stamens 9, free; staminodes 3; filaments 0.4mm long; tepals and outer stamens pubescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially; ovary superior, 0.7-1.2mm, glabrous; style glabrous.

Ellipsoidal, totally enclosed by a fleshy receptacle so as to appear inferior, thus forming a ‘false-fruit’ that is black, sometimes longitudinally ribbed, 15mm long by 11mm wide.

Germination is hypogeal, with the cotyledons remaining within the fruit at ground level and not becoming photosynthetic. The first two true leaves are opposite, but the remainder quickly become alternate. The first seedling leaves have a midrib with conspicuous primary laterals, ovate, about 12-40 x 12-22 mm. At the tenth leaf stage: apex acuminate, green or slightly glaucous underneath. Seed germination time 22 to 98 days.

Occurs in CEQ and southwards to south-eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from sea level to 1000 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites.

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