Elaeocarpus culminicola Warb.

Elaeocarpaceae

Warburg, O. (1892) Botanishe Jahrbucher 16 : 23. Type: Finisterregebirge; mittelhoher Baum auf dem Kamm des Gebirges in einer Hohe von 2300 m.; 14. 10. 1888 (HELLWIG n. 316).

Michael's Quandong; Quandong

Blaze odour usually obvious but not particularly pleasant.

Leaf blades about 8-12 x 3-4.5 cm. About 15-25 teeth on each side of the leaf blade.

Flowers strongly perfumed, the odour not particularly pleasant, borne on the twigs below or back from the leaves. Sepals less than 14 mm long. Petals about 10 x 2-4 mm, divided at the apex into about 25-27 lobes. Stamens about 25-40. Ovary glabrous.

Fruit borne on the twigs below or back from the leaves. Fruits +/- globular-ellipsoid, about 13-15 x 12 mm. Endocarp rugose, 2-sutured.

Cotyledons elongate, about 18-20 x 4-5 mm. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, apex acuminate, base attenuate, margin serrate, teeth 12-15 each side of the leaf blade, glabrous; stipules small, triangular, glabrous. Seed germination time 273 to 525 days.

Occurs in NT and NEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 500 m. Grows in well developed rain forests, usually those growing in wet or swampy situations. Also occurs in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.

A very ornamental small tree that could be planted in tropical parks and gardens. It produces masses of feathery white flowers and blue fruits.

Elaeocarpus michaelii C.T.White, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew : 45(1932), Type: Qld, Buddabadoo Creek, Yarrabah, near Cairns, N. Michael; holo: BRI, iso: K. Elaeocarpus longipetiolatus C.T.White, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. Botany Bulletin 21: 3(1919), Type: Buddaboo Creek (Cairns District), Rev. N. Michael.[given by M.J.E.Coode, Kew Bull. 39 (1984) 553 as Queensland, Buddaba