Hymenosporum
Native Frangipani | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Pittosporaceae |
Genus: | Hymenosporum R.Br. ex F.Muell.[3] |
Species: | H. flavum
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Binomial name | |
Hymenosporum flavum | |
Synonyms | |
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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.
Description
Hymenosporum flavum is a semi-deciduous tree up to 25 m (82 ft) high and a trunk diameter (DBH) to 45 cm (18 in).[4][5] The obovate leaves are simple, alternate, glossy green above and lighter below. They measure up to 13 cm (5.1 in) long by 4.5 cm (1.8 in) wide.[4][5][6] and are clustered towards the ends of the branches in pseudo-whorls.[4][5]
The very fragrant flowers are quite large, about 40 mm (1.6 in) diameter with a floral tube up to 28 mm (1.1 in) long.[4] They are initially functionally male, and coloured white with lemon tinges. Over a period of about 5 days the stigma begins to develop and the stamens curl away. At the same time the colour deepens until the fully functioning female flower is golden yellow with red/purple track lines in the throat.[4]
The fruit is a dehiscent, two-chambered capsule, black/brown, densely hairy and about 35 mm (1.4 in) wide and long.[4] Seeds are about 7 mm (0.28 in) long with a 4 mm (0.16 in) wing. They are numerous, and stacked together to fill each chamber.[4]
Phenology
Flowering occurs from early spring to early summer,[4][5] and the fruit ripen around May.[4]
Taxonomy
This species was first described in 1854 by the English botanist and illustrator William Jackson Hooker as Pittosporum flavum. In 1860 the German born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller transferred it to the genus Hymenosporum in his work Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ.[7]
Etymology
The genus name Hymenosporum is derived from the Ancient Greek words humḗn, meaning membrane, and sporā́, meaning seed. It is a reference to the winged seeds.[8][5] The species epithet flavum is from the Latin flāvus, yellow, and refers to the flower colour.[5][4]
Distribution and habitat
The native range of Hymenosporum flavum is from New Guinea south through coastal Queensland to northeastern New South Wales.[4][6] It grows in rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest on various soils.[6][9]
Cultivation
Native frangipani is widely cultivated and usually grows to around 8 metres in height although it can grow to over 20 metres tall in the rainforest. It can be grown in shaded positions, but flowers best in full sun.[citation needed]
In Australia, the tree is commonly planted in suburban streets, in shopping boulevards and in walkways between tall buildings. It prefers a well-drained soil with a high organic content, but is highly adaptable. Very young seedlings are easily killed by frosts but if kept in a sheltered position until about 1–1.5 metres high, will thrive in cooler areas, as long as they have access to water during hot dry spells.[citation needed]
Hymenosporum flavum is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone.[10]
Gallery
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Flowering at Port Macquarie
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Flowers
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Leaves and flowers
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Flowers close up
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Seed capsules
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Mature tree flowering
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Flowers
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Flowers start as white, then age to yellow and finally coppery orange
References
- ^ Jimbo, T. (2021). "Hymenosporum flavum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T196689337A197049548. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T196689337A197049548.en. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Hymenosporum flavum (Hook.) F.Muell.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Hymenosporum R.Br. ex F.Muell.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cayzer, Lindy (2020). "Hymenosporum flavum". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Hymenosporum flavum". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b c F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Hymenosporum flavum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand von (1825–1896). Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ. Vol. 2. Melbourne: J. Ferres. p. 77. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Cayzer, Lindy (2020). "Hymenosporum". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Chladil, Mark; Sheridan, Jennifer. "Fire retardant garden plants for the urban fringe and rural areas" (PDF). www.fire.tas.gov.au. Tasmanian Fire Research Fund.
External links
- Data related to Hymenosporum flavum at Wikispecies
- Media related to Hymenosporum flavum at Wikimedia Commons
- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver
- PlantNET-New South Wales Flora online: Hymenosporum flavum
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Pittosporaceae
- Apiales of Australia
- Flora of New South Wales
- Flora of Queensland
- Flora of New Guinea
- Monotypic Apiales genera
- Trees of Australia
- Ornamental trees
- Garden plants of Australia
- Garden plants
- Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller
- Taxa named by Robert Brown (botanist, born 1773)