Diploglottis diphyllostegia (F.Muell.) F.M.Bailey

Sapindaceae

Bailey, F.M. (1885) Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 1: 148.

Wild Tamarind; Tamarind, Northern; Northern Tamarind; Tamarind, Wild; Tamarind; Tamarind, Native; Native Tamarind

Sapwood surface corrugated. Lenticels small, 1 mm or less in diameter, exhibiting an extruded appearance.

Leaf bearing twigs, compound leaf rhachis and leaflet stalks clothed in erect, brown hairs. Leaf bearing twigs longitudinally grooved. Compound leaf rhachis with two grooves on the upper surface. Leaflet blades about 4.5-9 x 2-8 cm. Midrib raised and often hairy on the upper surface. Leaflet stalk short and swollen at its junction with the compound leaf rhachis.

Inflorescence usually with rusty hairs. Young inflorescence bracts about 3-7 x 1-3 mm. Flowers about 4-5 mm diam. Calyx shortly cupular, lobes five, ovate, subequal, flat, not concave. Fifth petal usually reduced. Disk yellow-orange, +/- horseshoe-shaped. Stamens eight.

Fruit about 10-17 x 15-28 mm. Seeds flattened, about 10 mm wide, completely enveloped by the aril. Fruits shortly tomentose externally.

At the tenth leaf stage: leaf or leaflet blades elliptic, apex acuminate, hairy on the upper surface; petiole and rhachis of compound leaf and stem clothed in long pale brown hairs. Seed germination time 41 to 63 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 900 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites but is probably more frequent in drier, more seasonal rain forest.

A commonly cultivated and attractive tree. Produces a dense shady crown and conspicuous crops of yellow fruits with orange arils.

The aril is edible and is sometimes used to make a refreshing drink.

Diploglottis cunninghamii var. diphyllostegia J.F.Bailey, Queensland Agricultural Journal 5(4): 396(1899). Diploglottis cunninghamii var. muelleri F.M.Bailey, The Queensland Flora 1: 287(1899). Diploglottis australis var. muelleri (Bailey) Radlk., Engler's Das Pflanzenreich Heft 98 : 1226(1933). Cupania diphyllostegia F.Muell., Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 5: 145(1865), Type: In silvis ad sinum Rockinghams Bay. J.Dallachy. Meunga Ck., 30 Sept. 1865, MEL. Fide Reynolds (1985).