Gomphandra australiana F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1868) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 6: 3. Type: In silvis insulae Gold-Island et vallis Dalrymples Gap ad sinum litoreum Rockinghams Bay, ubi etiam Erycibe paniculata aut species finitima cres.

Buff Beech; Beech, Buff

Seldom growing beyond 30 cm dbh. Oak grain in the wood and a corresponding pattern in the inner blaze.

Oak grain usually visible in the twigs. Leaf blades usually fairly large, about 14-21 x 5.5-8.5 cm with about 5-9 pairs of lateral veins. Midrib depressed on the upper surface of the leaf blade. Petiole channelled on the upper surface. Leafy twigs frequently green.

Ovary glabrous without a fleshy lateral appendage. Corolla glabrous, tube about 2.5-3 mm long, lobes about 1 mm long.

Fruits ellipsoid, about 20-25 x 12-15 mm, without a fleshy lateral appendage. Endocarp with about 12-15 longitudinal ridges.

Cotyledons cordate, about 4-6 x 3-4.5 cm, 3-5 veined at the base. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves +/- elliptic, apex shortly acuminate, base obtuse, glabrous on the upper surface, midrib and lateral veins hairy on the undersurface, midrib depressed on the upper surface. Seed germination time 39 to 124 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 300 m. Grows as an understory tree in well developed lowland rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Fruit eaten by Cassowaries and Fruit Pigeons. Cooper & Cooper (1994).