Flindersia xanthoxyla
Encyclopedia
Flindersia xanthoxyla is an Australian rainforest
tree in the citrus family
. It is known as the Long Jack or Yellowwood . It occurs mainly in dry rainforest or littoral rainforest. However, it also occurs in sub tropical rainforest such as Davis Scrub Nature Reserve
. The species name xanthoxyla means "yellow wood". The natural range of distribution is from the Richmond River, New South Wales to Gympie
in south eastern Queensland
.
xanthos "yellow", and xylon "wood". It is a member of the genus Flindersia
in the Rutaceae
family.
4 to 11 opposite leaflets per compound leaf. Leaflets 2.2 to 13 cm long, 0.6 to 3.2 cm wide. Bright green above, duller below with a blunt leaf tip. Leaves dissimilar at the base, with one part of the leaflet broader and more curved than the other. Leaflet stalk 2 to 6 mm long, but the terminal leaflet has a longer stem, occasionally over 25 mm. Leaf mid rib and lateral veins easily seen above and below. Net veins less evident. Leaves of this species are quite small in comparison with other Australian rainforest plants of this Flindersia genus.
s from June to September. Panicles are smaller than the leaves, and growing from the forks of leaves or at the end of branchlets. The fruit is a brown woody capsule, 7 to 10 cm long. Opening up in 5 valves. Each valve has a woody middle divide, and on each side are two or three seeds. Seeds includes thin seed "wings", which surround the heavier central part of the seed. Seeds dispersed by wind. Germination from fresh seed is relatively swift and reliable. Germination commences after three weeks, with an 85% success rate after two months.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
tree in the citrus family
Rutaceae
Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family, is a family of flowering plants, usually placed in the order Sapindales.Species of the family generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually with strong scents...
. It is known as the Long Jack or Yellowwood . It occurs mainly in dry rainforest or littoral rainforest. However, it also occurs in sub tropical rainforest such as Davis Scrub Nature Reserve
Davis Scrub Nature Reserve
Davis Scrub Nature Reserve is a 13 hectare sub tropical jungle remnant of the Big Scrub. Situated at 170 metres above sea level on an undulating high rainfall plain near Alstonville, New South Wales, Australia....
. The species name xanthoxyla means "yellow wood". The natural range of distribution is from the Richmond River, New South Wales to Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
in south eastern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
Taxonomy
Originally described by Cunningham as Oxleya xanthoxyla in 1830, it was given its current name in 1930 by Karel Domin. The species name xanthoxyla is derived from the Ancient GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
xanthos "yellow", and xylon "wood". It is a member of the genus Flindersia
Flindersia
Flindersia is a genus of 14 species of tree in the family Rutaceae. They are native to the Moluccas, New Guinea, Australia and New Caledonia.They are cultivated and planted for both timber and as a street tree...
in the Rutaceae
Rutaceae
Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family, is a family of flowering plants, usually placed in the order Sapindales.Species of the family generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually with strong scents...
family.
Description
A tree up to 45 metres in height, and a trunk diameter of 90 cm. The trunk is cylindrical and straight with grey or brownish grey bark. The bark features vertical fissures, and the bark flakes off in plates. Small branches show distinct leaf scars, with a hairy down towards the ends, and on new leaflets and twigs.4 to 11 opposite leaflets per compound leaf. Leaflets 2.2 to 13 cm long, 0.6 to 3.2 cm wide. Bright green above, duller below with a blunt leaf tip. Leaves dissimilar at the base, with one part of the leaflet broader and more curved than the other. Leaflet stalk 2 to 6 mm long, but the terminal leaflet has a longer stem, occasionally over 25 mm. Leaf mid rib and lateral veins easily seen above and below. Net veins less evident. Leaves of this species are quite small in comparison with other Australian rainforest plants of this Flindersia genus.
Flowers, fruit & regeneration
Yellow flowers form on paniclePanicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....
s from June to September. Panicles are smaller than the leaves, and growing from the forks of leaves or at the end of branchlets. The fruit is a brown woody capsule, 7 to 10 cm long. Opening up in 5 valves. Each valve has a woody middle divide, and on each side are two or three seeds. Seeds includes thin seed "wings", which surround the heavier central part of the seed. Seeds dispersed by wind. Germination from fresh seed is relatively swift and reliable. Germination commences after three weeks, with an 85% success rate after two months.