Neisosperma poweri (F.M.Bailey) Fosberg & Sachet

Fosberg, F.R. et al. (1977) Adansonia ser. 2 17: 31.

Red Boat Tree; Milkbush

Seldom grows beyond 20 cm dbh, often flowers and fruits as a shrub.

Petioles and twigs produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades about 15 x 4.5 cm, blade much paler on the underside. Lateral veins forming an angle of approx. 80 with the midrib.

Flowers about 10-20 mm diam. Calyx lobes about 1.3-1.8 mm long. Corolla tube about 10-12 mm long, thickened on the inner surface at the apex. Corolla lobes glabrous, about 4-8 mm long. Anthers on short filaments, inserted on the corolla tube just below the apex. Anthers enclosed within the corolla tube. Stigmas capitate, shortly hairy.

Fruits ellipsoid, about 3.5-4.5 x 1.5-2 cm. Endocarp +/- bullet-shaped, about 4 x 1.5 cm, outer surface +/- smooth, but marked by longitudinal anastomosing fibrous strands. Seed flat, about 30 x 10-12 mm.

Cotyledons ovate, about 40-50 mm long, petiole short. First pair of leaves obovate, about 3 x 1.5 cm, glabrous, margins smooth. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves obovate, apex obtuse with a short acuminate tip, base attenuate, glabrous. Stems and leaves produce a milky exudate. Seed germination time 36 to 47 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in NEQ, CEQ and southwards to north-eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range from 600-1100 m. A common understory tree in upland and mountain rain forests.

Fallen fruit eaten by Musky Rat-kangaroos. Cooper & Cooper (1994).