Flindersia ifflaiana

Family

Rutaceae

Botanical Name

Flindersia ifflaiana F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1877) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 10: 94. Type: Ad oram Trinity-Bay; W. Hill..

Common name

Hickory Ash; Cairns Hickory; Ash, Hickory; Hickory, Cairns

Stem

Bark thick and deeply fissured on large trees but nondescript on small trees.

Leaves

Lateral leaflet blades about 6-13.5 x 2.8-5.2 cm, with about 15-36 lateral veins on each side of the midrib. Compound leaf axis somewhat flattened, margin angular or shortly winged towards the base.

Flowers

Inflorescence hairs stellate. Sepals ovate-triangular, about 1-1.2 mm long. Petals elliptic-oblong, about 2-2.5 mm long. Ovules 2 on each side of the placenta.

Fruit

Capsules not disintegrating following dehiscence, about 3-7 cm long, outer surface muricate. (Backs of the valves covered with short, broad, volcano-shaped humps.) Capsules normally present beneath mature trees, valves adhering by their bases and spreading like a flower.

Seedlings

Cotyledons obdeltoid to reniform, much wider than long, about 6-10 x 15-20 mm. Oil dots sparse, visible with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaflet blades ovate, terminal leaflet attenuate at the base, lateral leaflets +/- sessile, midrib raised on the upper surface; oil dots numerous, visible to the naked eye; petiole and rhachis of compound leaf winged.

Distribution and Ecology

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1100 m. Grows in drier, more seasonal rain forest often associated with Kauri Pine (Agathis robusta), also found in beach forest and low closed forest on old sand dunes. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Natural History

This species produces a yellowish timber which is very durable and generally useful for a variety of purposes from bridge girders to chisel handles.

The timber of this species has been used in the manufacture of pulleys, piles, floors (floor slats, dance floors), carriage body framing, house stumps and window sills, ships decking, diving springboards, fishing rods, tool handles (axe, hammer, brush-hook, adze, pick and grubber), house framing, sleepers, vaulting poles. Swain (1928).