Alphitonia whitei

Alphitonia whitei is a species of flowering tree in the family Rhamnaceae, that is endemic to Queensland in Australia. It is locally known as red ash, red almond or sarsaparilla. When twigs or leaves are broken, a sarsaparilla or liniment type scent is emitted.[1]

Alphitonia whitei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Alphitonia
Species:
A. whitei
Binomial name
Alphitonia whitei

A small to mid sized tropical rainforest species which grows in a variety of sites, from near the coast to 1,200 metres above sea level. It may reach a height of 20 metres with a stem diameter of 30 cm. Unlike others in the Alphitonia group, it thrives in low light situations and is not as often seen in high light environments as in rainforest margins.[2][3]

Leaves form with large stipules, 5 mm by 1 mm long, and fall off in the later stages of leaf development. Leaf stems are grooved or channeled on the upper side. Leaves may grow up to 21 cm long and 7 cm wide. Glossy green above, with a veiny whitish underside. The specific epithet may refer to this or to the botanist C.T. White. Young shoots have soft reddish brown hairs.

Flowers form from September to November.[4] Flowers grow to around 5 mm in diameter, with cream to pale green petals, which are 1 to 1.2 mm long. The stamens are enveloped in the petals. Sepals are about 2 mm long. Fruit grow to about 6 to 10 mm in diameter, forming between January and April. The mesocarp is not powdery at maturity. Black coloured fruit are somewhat round in shape, and are eaten by fig parrots and the cassowary.[5] Leaves are food for Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, green ringtail possum and Herbert River ringtail possum.[6]

The Red Ash produces a useful general purpose timber with a specific gravity of 0.77. Betulinic acid is found in the leaves, wood and bark.[7] This plant appeared in scientific literature in 1932, published by the botanist K.W. Braid. The type specimens were collected from Jordan Creek near Innisfail and Barron River near Kuranda, the latter by F.M. Bailey.[2]

References
  1. David Tng. "Alphitonia whitei (Rhamnaceae)". Leaf Whispering in the Tropics. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  2. "Alphitonia whitei". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  3. "Alphitonia whitei". Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) - Vascular Plants. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  4. A.R. Bean. "A revision of Alphitonia (Rhamnaceae) for Australia" (PDF). Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Muelleria. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  5. Matt Bradford. "Cassowary Food Trees". Kurunda Conservation. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  6. Mike Trenerry. "Plants for Wildlife" (PDF). Tropical Topics - Wet Tropics, Australian Government. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  7. "Alphitonia whitei, Health effects and herbal facts". Natural Medicine Facts. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
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