Siphonodon membranaceus F.M.Bailey

Bailey, F.M. (1899) Queensland Agricultural Journal 5(4): 388. Type: Evelyn, Herberton district, J.F. Bailey.

Icewood; Ivorywood

Thin orange layer usually visible just under the thin outer layer of dead bark.

Leaf blades about 6-20 x 2-5 cm, petioles about 0.7-0.9 cm. Midrib raised on the upper surface but petiole channelled on the upper surface. About 6-12 pairs of lateral veins. Leafy twigs somewhat rough and wrinkled, lenticels pale and elongated. Stipules small and inconspicuous, about 1 x 0.5 mm, apex acute.

Inflorescence about 10-20 mm long, shorter than the leaves, pedicels about 3-7 mm long. Sepals +/- semicircular, about 1.2-2 mm long. Petals obovate or nearly orbicular, about 4-5 mm long. Anther filaments about 1-1.5 x 1.2-1.5 mm, about as wide as the anthers. Disk enclosing the ovary and surrounding the style which is located in a well in the disk. Stigma slightly raised above the disk.

Fruits globular or depressed globular, about 40-70 mm diam. Seeds immersed in the granular pericarp, each surrounded by a very hard endocarp. Seeds about 8-9 x 3-4 mm.

Cotyledons elliptic to obovate, about 14-20 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, apex acuminate, base cuneate, glabrous, margin serrate with numerous small teeth; petiole glabrous; stipules oblong, small. Seed germination time 349 to 702 days.

Endemic to NEQ, widespread throughout the region. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1000 m. Grows in well developed rain forest in a variety of situations.

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