Gomphandra australiana
| Gomphandra australiana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Aquifoliales |
| Family: | Stemonuraceae |
| Genus: | Gomphandra |
| Species: | G. australiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Gomphandra australiana | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Gomphandra australiana, commonly known as buff beech, is a species of plant in the family Stemonuraceae. It is native to the Maluku Islands, New Guinea and the state of Queensland, Australia.[3][4]
Description
Gomphandra australiana is a small tree up to 20 m (66 ft) tall and rarely more than 30 cm (12 in) diameter at breast height. The leaves are simple (without lobes or divisions), arranged alternately on the twigs, and measure up to 21 cm (8.3 in) long and 9 cm (3.5 in) wide. They are glossy on both sides, dark green above and paler below, and they have 5–9 pairs of veins on either side of the midrib.[4][5]
Flowers are produced on cymes up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long. They are quite small—the petals are united into a tube about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The fruit is an ellipsoidal drupe, salmon pink when ripe, about 2.5 cm (1 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide. It contains a single seed.[4][5]
Distribution and habitat
This species occurs in eastern Queensland from about Townsville to the top of Cape York Peninsula, and also occurs in New Guinea. It grows in tropical rainforest as an understory tree, at altitudes from sea level to about 300 m (980 ft).[4][6]
Conservation status
It has been given the status of least concern by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Queensland Government.[1][7]
Gallery
Seedlings
Pale trunk
Foliage
Underside of leaf
Flowers
Fruit
References
- 1 2 Jimbo, T. (2022). "Gomphandra australiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T198840795A202838060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T198840795A202838060.en.
- ↑ "Gomphandra australiana F.Muell". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Gomphandra australiana F.Muell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Gomphandra australiana". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- 1 2 Guymer, G.P. (2022). "Gomphandra australiana F.Muell". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Search: species: Gomphandra australiana | Occurrence records". Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Australian Government. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Taxon - Gomphandra australiana". WildNet. Queensland Government. 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
External links
- Map of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- Observations of this species on iNaturalist
- Images of this species on Flickriver.com