| Hard milkwood | |
|---|---|
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| Foliage | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Alstonia |
| Species: | A. muelleriana |
| Binomial name | |
| Alstonia muelleriana | |
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| Synonyms [4] | |
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Alstonia muelleriana is a tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae which is native to southern Papua New Guinea and northeastern Queensland.
Alstonia muelleriana is an evergreen tree growing to between 15 and 25 m (49 and 82 ft) in height. [5] [6] The leaves are simple and produced in whorls of three or four. They measure up to 19 by 7 cm (7.5 by 2.8 in) and are attached to the twigs by a petiole about 8 mm (0.31 in) long. [5] [6] [7] They are softly hairy on both sides (less so on the top) and have up to 18 lateral veins either side of the midrib. [5] [6] [7]
The inflorescences are terminal or axillary panicles up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long. [6] The small flowers are about 5 mm (0.20 in) diameter and are 5-merous, with five green sepals and five white/cream petals. [5] [6] [7]
The fruit is a green dehiscent follicle, measuring around 40 cm (16 in) or more in length and 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) diameter. At maturity they turn brown and split longitudinally, releasing numerous small, hairy seeds that are dispersed by the wind. [5] [6] [7]
This species was first described in 1928 by the Czech botanist Karel Domin, who published his description in the book Bibliotheca Botanica. [3] [4]
The genus name Alstonia was raised by the Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1811, in honour of his countryman Charles Alston. The species epithet muelleriana is in honour of the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. [6]
The range of the hard milkwood is restricted to a small part of northeastern Queensland, from near Rossville to the Paluma Range N.P. north of Townsville, and also the southwestern parts of Papua New Guinea. [8]
It grows in rainforests, but is also found in drier forests and is common in regrowth or disturbed areas. [5] [7]
This species is listed by both the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the IUCN as least concern. [1] [2] The IUCN states in its assessment that the population is stable and that no current or future threats have been identified. [2]
Agathis robusta, commonly known as kauri pine, Queensland kauri (pine), Australian kauri (pine) or smooth-barked kauri, is a coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae. Although sometimes called a pine it is not a true pine, having leaves rather than needles. It has a disjunct distribution, occurring in Papua New Guinea and Queensland, Australia. Populations in Papua New Guinea may be treated as the distinct species Agathis spathulata.
Athertonia is a monotypic genus of plants in the family Proteaceae. The sole described species is Athertonia diversifolia, commonly known as Atherton oak, athertonia, creamy silky oak or white oak. It is endemic to a small part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. A relative of the macadamia, it has potential in horticulture and the bushfood industry.
Neolitsea dealbata, also known as white bolly gum, hairy-leaved bolly gum, or simply bolly gum, is a shrub or small tree in the laurel family Lauraceae which is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.
Normanbya is a monotypic genus of palms containing the single species Normanbya normanbyi, which is known by the common name black palm It is endemic to Queensland, Australia and is threatened by habitat destruction.
Atractocarpus chartaceus, commonly known as the narrow-leaved gardenia, is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the madder and coffee family Rubiaceae. It is mostly found in subtropical rainforest of eastern Australia, and it is cultivated for its fragrant flowers and colourful fruit.
Dysoxylum pettigrewianum, commonly known as spur mahogany, spurwood, or Cairns satinwood, is a large tree in the family Meliaceae. It is native to the rainforests of Malesia, Papuasia and Queensland. In Queensland it occurs only in a small part of the northeast coast.
Carnarvonia araliifolia, commonly known as the red oak, red silky oak, Caledonian oak or elephant's foot, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Carnarvonia, a member of the Proteaceae plant family. It is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Queensland.
Dillenia alata, commonly known as red beech, golden guinea flower or golden guinea tree, is a tree in the Dilleniaceae family, found in tropical forests of the Moluccas, New Guinea, and northern Australia.
Atractocarpus hirtus, commonly known as the hairy gardenia or native loquat, is a plant in the madder family Rubiaceae, a large family of some 6,500 species with a cosmopolitan distribution. This species is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Harpullia ramiflora, commonly known as the Claudie tulipwood or Cape York tulipwood, is a tree in the Sapindaceae family native to north east Queensland, New Guinea and parts of Malesia.
Xanthophyllum octandrum, commonly known as Macintyre's boxwood, false jitta, yellow boxwood or sovereignwood, is a slow-growing tree in the milkwort family Polygalaceae which has the potential to reach thousands of years of age. It is endemic to coastal northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Alyxia oblongata, commonly known as the chain fruit, prickly lixy, or prickly Alyxia, is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae endemic to a small part of northeastern Queensland.
Ormosia ormondii, commonly known as yellow bean, is a tree in the legume family Fabaceae which is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Pandanus solms-laubachii, commonly known as the swamp pandan, is a small tree in the family Pandanaceae which occurs in northeastern Queensland and possibly in Papua New Guinea. It is closely related to both Pandanus gemmifer and Pandanus grayorum.
Lasianthus chlorocarpus, commonly known as blue rubi, is a plant in the family Rubiaceae native to parts of Malesia, Papuasia and Australia. It is an evergreen shrub growing up to 2 m high in well developed rainforest.
Pittosporum rubiginosum, commonly known as hairy red pittosporum, is an evergreen shrub in the family Pittosporaceae which is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Fagraea cambagei, commonly known as porcelain fruit, pink jitta, or yellowheart, is a plant in the family Gentianaceae which is endemic to rainforested parts of coastal northeast Queensland, Australia.
Polyosma hirsuta, commonly known as hairy polyosma, is a plant in the family Escalloniaceae which is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is an evergreen small tree growing up to 10 m (33 ft) high. The leaves may be 6 to 14 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide, often with toothed margins and each tooth exhibiting a short stiff spine. Most parts of the plant, including the twigs, leaves and fruit, are clothed in fine pale brown hairs.
Harpullia rhyticarpa, commonly known as slender harpullia, is a plant in the family Sapindaceae which is endemic to the rainforests northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Sterculia shillinglawii, commonly known as tulip sterculia or lacewood, is a tree in the family Malvaceae which is native to Papuasia and northeastern Australia.
Data related to Alstonia muelleriana at Wikispecies
Media related to Alstonia muelleriana at Wikimedia Commons| Authority control databases: National |
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