Stenocarpus cryptocarpus

Stenocarpus cryptocarpus, known as the giant leaf stenocarpus, is a species of trees, of the plant family Proteaceae.[1][2] They are endemic to some rainforest parts of the wet tropics region of north eastern Queensland, Australia. Notably, juvenile leaves of young trees may reach 115 cm (4 ft) in length.

Stenocarpus cryptocarpus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Stenocarpus
Species:
S. cryptocarpus
Binomial name
Stenocarpus cryptocarpus
Foreman & B.Hyland[1]

Stenocarpus cryptocarpus was first described in 1988 by botanists Don Foreman and Bernie Hyland, having been collected from North Queensland.[1][3] It is one of 25 species of trees in the genus Stenocarpus from rainforests of eastern Australia and New Caledonia.

It grows as a single-trunked buttressed tree to 25 m (80 ft) tall. Its green juvenile leaves are compound (bipinnate) and lobulated, and may reach 115 cm (4 ft) in length. The adult leaves are simple and obovate and measure 9–14 cm (3.5–5.5 in) in length and are on petioles 3–8 cm (1–3 in) long.[4] The wheel-shaped inflorescences are axillary (located towards or on the end of branches) and are composed of 20-30 individual flowers, and are white and fragrant, and resemble those of its better known relative S. sinuatus. The flowers are followed by smooth follicles, or seed pods, 10–13 cm (4–5 in) in length.[4][5]

Stenocarpus cryptocarpus grows in wet rainforests from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in altitude, where it is a canopy tree.[4] It is restricted to suitable habitat between Mount Bartle Frere and Big Tableland in the McDowell Ranges in north eastern Queensland.[5]

It is uncommon in cultivation.

References
  1. Foreman, Don B.; Hyland, Bernie P. M. (1988). New species of Buckinghamia F.Muell. and Stenocarpus R.Br. (Proteaceae) from northern Queensland. Muelleria. 6. p. 22, Fig. 4.
  2. Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (Dec 2010). "Factsheet – Stenocarpus cryptocarpus". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (6.1, online version RFK 6.1 ed.). Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 9 Apr 2013.
  3. "Stenocarpus cryptocarpus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. Foreman, Don B. (1995). "Stenocarpus". In McCarthy, Patrick (ed.). Flora of Australia: Volume 16: Eleagnaceae, Proteaceae 1 (online html version). Flora of Australia series. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. p. 366. ISBN 0-643-05693-9.
  5. Sankowsky, Nada (May 2007). "Attention Grabbers". Australian Plants Online. Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 2 January 2010.
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