| Fragrant boxwood | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Polygalaceae |
| Genus: | Xanthophyllum |
| Species: | X. fragrans |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthophyllum fragrans | |
Xanthophyllum fragrans, commonly known as fragrant boxwood, is an evergreen plant in the family Polygalaceae found only in the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia.
Xanthophyllum fragrans is a tree growing up to about 20 m (66 ft) tall, and it may produce buttress roots. The leaves are simple, arranged alternately and attached to the twigs by petioles about 10 mm (0.39 in) long; they are glossy dark green above and paler green below, and measure up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long by 7 cm (2.8 in) wide. [4] [5] [6]
The inflorescences are produced either terminally or in the leaf axils , and they take the form of a raceme about 12 cm (4.7 in) long. The flowers are very fragrant and quite large with five cream to yellow petals up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long and 1 cm (0.39 in) wide. The stamens are about 55 mm (2.2 in) long with anthers about 3 mm (0.12 in) long; the style is about 40 mm (1.6 in) long, the stigma is capitate (i.e. like the head of a pin). [4] [5] [6]
The orange fruit is (in botanical terms) a berry measuring about 9 cm (3.5 in) long and 4.5 cm (1.8 in) wide. They contain 8 or more seeds measuring about 15 mm (0.59 in) by 12 mm (0.47 in), which are completely enclosed in a cream aril. [4] [5] [6]
Flowering occurs from September to October, and fruit ripen in December and January. [6]
This species was first described by the Australian botanist Cyril Tenison White in his paper titled Contributions to the Queensland Flora, No. 6, which was read to the Royal Society of Queensland in November 1938. It was subsequently published in the Society's journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland in 1939. [7]
Xanthophyllum fragrans has a restricted distribution within Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, from near Cape Tribulation to the Kuranda National Park. It grows in well developed rainforest at altitudes from near sea level up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). [4] [5] [6] [8]
It has a total Area of Occupancy [lower-alpha 1] of just 120 km2 (46 sq mi). [9]
This species is listed by the Queensland Government's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation as near threatened. [1] As of 15 April 2024 [update] , it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This species is too large for the average suburban garden but it has potential as an attractive park tree due to its large fragrant flowers and colourful fruit. [5]
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.
Canarium australianum, commonly known as scrub turpentine, is a species of tree in the family Burseraceae native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Other common names include mango bark, carrot wood, parsnip wood, Melville Island white beech and brown cudgerie.
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.
Euroschinus falcatus is a large tree in the mango and cashew family Anacardiaceae, found along almost the entire east coast of Australia from Cape York Peninsula to Jervis Bay. Common names include blush cudgerie and maiden's blush.
Phaleria clerodendron, commonly known as scented daphne, scented phaleria or rosy apple, is an evergreen tree or tall shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae. It is endemic to the rainforests of north-eastern Queensland, Australia.
Nothorites is a monotypic genus in the macadamia family Proteaceae. The sole species, Nothorites megacarpus, is endemic to the wet tropics rain forests of northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Baileyoxylon is a monotypic genus in the family Achariaceae. The sole described species is Baileyoxylon lanceolatum which is restricted to a very small part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. It was described in the mid 20th century.
Neostrearia is a monotypic genus - i.e. a genus containing only one species - of plants in the witch-hazel family Hamamelidaceae. It is the second described of three monotypic Australian genera in this family, the others being Ostrearia and Noahdendron. It is most closely related to these genera, as well as Trichocladus from southern Africa and Dicoryphe from Madagascar, and together these five genera form a distinct clade within Hamamelidaceae.
Noadendron is a monotypic genus - i.e. a genus containing only one species - of plants in the witch-hazel family Hamamelidaceae. It is the third described of three monotypic Australian genera in this family, the others being Ostrearia and Neostrearia. It is most closely related to these genera, as well as Trichocladus from southern Africa and Dicoryphe from Madagascar, and together these five genera form a distinct clade within Hamamelidaceae.
Mackinlaya macrosciadea, commonly known as mackinlaya or blue umbrella, is a plant in the carrot, fennel and parsley family Apiaceae, found in the Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia.
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.
Fagraea fagraeacea, commonly known as yellowheart or pink jitta, is a plant in the gentian family Gentianaceae which is native to New Guinea and Queensland.
Polyosma rhytophloia, commonly known as wrinkled bark polyosma, is a plant in the family Escalloniaceae which is endemic to parts of eastern Queensland, Australia. It was first described in 1926.
Tetracera daemeliana, commonly known as large-leaved fire vine, is a vine in the guinea flower family Dilleniaceae first described in 1886, which is endemic to the northern half of Queensland, Australia. The flowers are pleasantly perfumed.
Diploglottis alaticarpa is a plant in the maple and lychee family Sapindaceae which is endemic to northeast Queensland, Australia. It was first recognised as a distinct species in 1994 and was formally described in 2014.
Actephila foetida is a plant in the family Phyllanthaceae that is found only in a very restricted range within the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia. It was first described in 1927.
Aglaia ferruginea, commonly known as rusty boodyarra or rusty Aglaia, is a plant in the mahogany family Meliaceae that is native to northern Queensland, Australia. The name A. tomentosa has been misapplied to the species in the past.
Debregeasia australis, commonly known as china grass or native ramie, is a plant in the nettle family Urticaceae endemic to Queensland, Australia.
Peperomia enervis is a plant in the pepper family Piperaceae found only in rainforests of northeast Queensland near the cities of Cairns and Mackay. It was first described in 1891.
Lepiderema sericolignis, commonly known as silkwood, is a plant in the maple and lychee family Sapindaceae found only in the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia.
