Syzygium divaricatum (Merr. & L.M.Perry) Craven & Biffin

Craven, L.A., Biffin, E. & Ashton, P.S. (2006) Blumea 51(1): 137.

Cassowary Satinash; Cassowary Gum; Satinash, Cassowary; Smaller Cassowary Satinash; Watergum

A thin, orange, brown layer usually visible just outside the subrhytidome layer.

Leaf blades rather thin, about 7-19 x 2.5-7.5 cm, petioles swollen, about 0.4-1.5 cm long, grooved on the upper surface. Two intramarginal veins usually present, the inner one about 2-7 mm from the margin. Oil dots visible with a lens. Midrib depressed on the upper surface.

Inflorescence bracts deciduous, absent at anthesis. Calyx tube (hypanthium) + pedicel about 3-5 mm long, calyx tube (hypanthium) about 2-4 mm diam., calyx lobes (difficult to distinguish from the petals) rounded, about 1-2 mm diam. Petals +/- orbicular, about 1-2 mm diam., oil dots difficult to distinguish, fewer than ten per petal and concentrated towards the base. Outer anther filaments about 1-2 mm long, anthers wider than long, about 0.2-0.3 x 0.4 mm, gland not visible. Placentas confined to the apex of each locule. Ovules pendulous, about four per locule. Style about 1.5-2 mm long, shorter than the stamens.

Fruits depressed globular to broadly turbinate, attaining about 50-60 mm diam., with a distinct calyx rim or tonsure-like scar at the top, calyx lobes deciduous or at least not obvious, pericarp leathery to almost woody in texture. Seed attaining about 30-40 mm diam., cotyledons fused, +/- ruminate or at least texturally different towards the centre because of the haustorium-like intrusion from the apex of the fruit.

Cataphylls about 4-7 pairs, opposite or subopposite. At the tenth leaf stage: seedlings completely glabrous, leaves elliptic or lanceolate, apex acute, base cuneate to attenuate, double intramarginal vein present; oil dots small, rather sparse, visible only with a lens. Seed germination time 136 to 864 days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the area between Cape Tribulation and Tully. Altitudinal range from sea level to 750 m. Grows in well developed lowland and upland rain forest.

This species produces millable logs and the timber is marketed as Cassowary Satinash, a useful general purpose structural timber. Wood specific gravity 0.70. Hyland (1983).