Schizomeria whitei Mattf.

Mattfield, J. (1939) Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 20: 435. Type: Lake Barrine, Atherton Tableland, im Regenwald am Seeufer, sich uber das Wasser neigend, 800m. U.M., Baum von mittlerer Hohe, haufig (S.F.Kajewski).

Birch, White; Crabapple; Humbug; Cherry, White; White Birch; White Cherry; Squeaker

Subrhytidome layer usually quite conspicuous. Bark conspicuously fissured particularly on large trees. White vertical stripes usually visible in the outer blaze.

Leaf blade usually large, about 8-18 x 4-8 cm, thick and leathery, margins often recurved, teeth inconspicuous. Stipules about 4-9 mm long, fairly narrow, but rounded at the apex, sometimes broad at the base.

Inflorescence many flowered, approximating or exceeding the leaves. Calyx lobes about 3-3.5 mm long. Petals about 3.5 mm long, apex with 3-6 narrow lobes about 1.5 mm long. Stamens ten, staminal filaments about 2.5-3 mm long, inserted outside the 10-lobed disk. Ovary apex densely hairy.

Fruits globular or depressed globular, about 20-25 x 25-30 mm, calyx lobes persistent at the base of the fruit.

Cotyledons about 17 x 6-7 mm. First pair of leaves with serrate margins, each tooth with a small globular gland at the apex. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, apex acute or apiculate, base attenuate, margin with numerous inconspicuous teeth from the base to the apex, glabrous; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, about 3-4 mm long. Seed germination time 704 to 797days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the Atherton Tableland area. Altitudinal range from 400-1150 m. Usually grows in drier rain forest but occasionally found in well developed rain forest on wetter sites. Often associated with Kauri Pine (Agathis robusta).

Produces a useful general purpose timber.

Wood specific gravity 0.69. Cause et al. (1989).