Golden penda | |
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Golden penda tree in Brisbane | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Xanthostemon |
Species: | X. chrysanthus |
Binomial name | |
Xanthostemon chrysanthus | |
Synonyms [3] | |
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Xanthostemon chrysanthus, commonly known as golden penda, is a species of tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae which is endemic to (found only in) north eastern Queensland, Australia. [4] It is a popular garden plant with showy yellow blooms, and is the floral emblem of the city of Cairns. [5] [6]
Xanthostemon chrysanthus is as a tree growing up to 25 m (82 ft) high, and the rough-barked trunk may be buttressed. [7] [8] In its preferred habitat alongside rainforest creeks, the trunk will often be gnarled and twisted. [4] It has a dense crown, with the dark glossy green leaves clustered towards the ends of the branches. [8] [9] The simple (i.e. without lobes or divisions) leaves are arranged alternately or in whorls. [7] [9] They are generally elliptic and measure up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long by 9.5 cm (3.7 in) wide. [7] [9]
The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary panicle which forms dense, showy heads of golden flowers. [7] The calyx is green with 5 lobes and is about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) wide; petals are yellow or yellow-green and up to 9 mm (0.35 in) long. [4] [7] [9] The most conspicuous aspect of the flower is the numerous stamens, which are bright yellow and up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, [4] [7] [10] making the overall diameter of the flower about 5 cm (2.0 in). [8] Flowering can occur at any time of year, particularly after heavy rain events. [6] [11]
The fruit is a woody capsule about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) diameter, and contains between 2 and 4 small black seeds about 4 mm (0.16 in) long. The capsule splits open at maturity and releases the seeds. [4] [7]
This species was first described in 1864 by the Victorian Government botanist Ferdinand von Mueller as Metrosideros chrysantha, based on material collected by John Dallachy on 12 April 1864 from Rockingham Bay in northern Queensland. [2] [4] In 1891 the German botanist Otto Kuntze published a revision of the taxon, and gave it the new combination Nania chrysantha. [2] [3] Finally, it was reclassified in the genus Xanthostemon by George Bentham in the third volume of his Flora Australiensis in 1867. [2]
The species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words chrysos "golden", and "anthos" "flower". [11]
The native range of the golden penda is from the Seaview Range near Ingham northwards to the area around the Pascoe River in Cape York Peninsula. [4] [7] It is most commonly found alongside creeks and rivers in rainforest, and at altitudes from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). [4] [7]
The profuse flowering attracts many nectar eating birds, including rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) and friarbirds (genus Philemon).
Xanthostemon chrysanthus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in gardens and park landscaping but will only reach about 12 m (39 ft) in height in such situations. [8] [9] [10] Its horticultural appeal stems from its profuse and attractive flowering. [4] It can be propagated by seed or cuttings but will flower sooner when grown from cuttings. [8] It grows well in subtropical gardens with fair drainage and sunny aspect, [11] but in cooler climates such as Sydney, the tree will not flower as profusely as it does in its native range. [10]
The golden penda was selected as the theme plant for Expo 88. Cuttings of the tree were taken from a superior form from a garden in Brisbane and planted in flower in Brisbane to create a 'Sea of Gold'. In late autumn, the tree can still be seen in flower in gardens and lining streets across Brisbane. [8]
Idiospermum is a monotypic genus in the family Calycanthaceae. The sole included species is Idiospermum australiense − commonly known as idiotfruit, ribbonwood, or dinosaur tree − which is found only in two small areas of the tropical rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is a relic of the ancient forests of Gondwana, surviving in very localised refugia for 120 million years, and displaying features that are almost identical to fossil records from that time. As such it provides an important insight into the very early evolution of flowering plants.
Hymenosporum is a monotypic genus in the family Pittosporaceae. The sole included species is Hymenosporum flavum, commonly known as native frangipani, which is a rainforest tree native to New Guinea, Queensland and New South Wales. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the frangipani, but is related to the widespread genus Pittosporum.
Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as Alexandra palm, king palm, Northern Bangalow palm, or feather palm, is a palm endemic to Queensland, Australia. It was named in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark, but is often erroneously referred to by the misnomer Alexander palm.
Tecoma stans is a species of flowering perennial shrub in the trumpet vine family, Bignoniaceae, that is native to the Americas. Common names include yellow trumpetbush, yellow bells, yellow elder, ginger Thomas. Tecoma stans is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands and the floral emblem of The Bahamas.
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.
The little lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Australia. It is a small parrot, predominantly green in plumage with a red face. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Xanthostemon is a genus of trees and shrubs, constituting part of the myrtle plant family Myrtaceae. This genus was first described in 1857 by German–Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. According to different official sources between 46 and 51 species are known to science. They grow naturally in New Caledonia, Australia, the Solomon Islands and Malesia, including the Philippines, New Guinea and Indonesia. The genera Pleurocalyptus and Purpureostemon from New Caledonia are morphologically close to Xanthostemon.
Pouteria australis, also known by the synonym Planchonella australis, is a medium to tall rainforest tree of the family Sapotaceae native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It is known by the common name black apple, wild plum, yellow buttonwood, black plum and yellow bulletwood.
Semecarpus australiensis, commonly known as the tar tree, native cashew, marking nut, or cedar plum, is a species of tree in the cashew, sumac and mango family Anacardiaceae, native to parts of Melanesia and northern Australia. Contact with the plant can cause serious allergic reactions, a common characteristic of this family.
Doryphora sassafras, commonly known as sassafras, yellow-, canary- or golden sassafras, or golden deal, is a species of evergreen tree of the family Atherospermataceae native to the subtropical and temperate rainforests of eastern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. It is a tall tree with green foliage and contrasting white flowers which occur in Autumn and Winter.
Elaeocarpus bancroftii, commonly known as Kuranda quandong, Johnstone River almond, ebony heart, grey nut, or nut tree is a large rainforest tree in the family Elaeocarpaceae which is endemic to Queensland. It has coriaceous leaves, attractive white flowers and relatively large fruit containing an edible kernel.
Xanthostemon youngii, commonly known as crimson penda or red penda, is a species of trees endemic to North Queensland, constituting part of the plant family Myrtaceae.
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.
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.
Dendrophthoe vitellina, commonly known as long-flowered- or apostle mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic plant of the mistletoe family Loranthaceae. The genus Dendrophthoe comprises about 31 species spread across tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia. Despite being collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1788, and depicted in Banks' Florilegium, it was not until 1860 that it was described by Ferdinand von Mueller as Loranthus vitellinus after being collected near Ipswich, and renamed by Philippe Édouard Léon Van Tieghem in 1895.
Buckinghamia celsissima, commonly known as the ivory curl tree, ivory curl flower or spotted silky oak, is a species of tree in the family Proteaceae. It is endemic to the tropical rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia.
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.
Senna pendula, also known as Easter Cassia, Christmas Senna, winter Senna, climbing Cassia, golden shower, pendant Senna and valamuerto, is a plant of the Fabaceae family with a shrub habit that is native to South America. It used in various parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is an environmental weed in Australia. The flowers are yellow and the name pendula means 'pendulous' or 'drooping'.
Gardenia actinocarpa is a rare and endangered plant in the madder family Rubiaceae that grows in a very restricted area within the Wet Tropics rainforest of north-east Queensland.
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.