Davidsonia pruriens F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1868) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 6: 4. Type: Rockingham Bay, Dallachy.

Do-rog; Davidson's Plum; Davidsonia Plum; Davidsonian Plum; Ooray; Plum, Davidsonia; Plum, Davidsonian; Plum, Davidson's

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh.

Rhachis of the compound leaf winged and toothed. Leaflet blades about 6-28 x 3-10 cm, +/- sessile, margins irregular with both large and small teeth intermingled. Stipules persistent, large and conspicuous, cordate to orbicular, margins toothed.

Flowers about 3-5 mm diam. Stamens alternating with an equal number of glandular nectaries. Ovary densely clothed in erect hairs. Ovules about 5-7 in each locule.

Fruits about 3-5 x 4-6 cm, containing one or two flat pyrenes with fimbriate or lacinate margins. The pyrenes are often assumed to be seeds, but careful dissection of a pyrene will usually reveal a solitary seed.

At the tenth leaf stage: all parts of the seedling clothed in long pale hairs; numerous small leaflet-like appendages occur on the petiole and the rhachis of the compound leaf between leaflets; stipules foliaceous, deeply serrate, hairy. Seed germination time 30 to 60 days.

Endemic to NEQ, widespread but never abundant. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 800 m. Grows in various types of well developed rain forest.

This species produces the Davidson Plum which is still sought after as the base material for jam or wine making. However, it should be noted that HCN has been reported from this species and the consumption of the fruit has resulted in vomiting and epigastric pain. Everist (1974).