Paraserianthes toona

Family

Mimosaceae

Botanical Name

Paraserianthes toona (F.M.Bailey) I.C.Nielsen

Nielsen, I.C. (1983) Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 5: 356. Type: ?.

Synonyms

Albizia toona F.M.Bailey, A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora, Supplement 1: 18(1886), Type: Mackay, Bowen, Endeavour River, and other parts of Tropical Queensland. Lecto: Bowen, F. M. Bailey, BRI.

Common name

Acacia Cedar; Cedar, Acacia; Cedar, Mackay; Mackay Cedar; RED SIRIS; Siris, Red

Stem

Deciduous; leafless for a period in September or October. Heartwood pink or red.

Leaves

Leaflets very small, about 3-9 mm long. A fairly large raised gland normally visible on the upper surface of the compound leaf petiole about 5-20 mm from the twig. Similar, but smaller, glands sometimes visible at the point of attachment of the secondary axes.

Flowers

Flowers sessile. Calyx and corolla almost glabrous on the outer surface. Corolla tube about 4.5 mm long, lobes about 1.5-2 mm long. Staminal filaments about 5-10 mm long, fused to form a tube in the lower half, but free in the upper half. Ovary sessile, ovules about 8-10.

Fruit

Pods flat, about 10-13 x 2-2.5 cm. Seeds flat, about 9 x 7 mm, marked by a pleurogram.

Seedlings

Cotyledons fleshy, without venation. First pair of leaves bipinnate. At the tenth leaf stage: leaflet blades linear, about 7-9 x 1-2 mm, apex acute or obtuse, base oblique, glabrous on the upper surface, venation often looping backwards, crater-like glands on the upper surface at the apex of the compound leaf petiole and the base of secondary axes; petiole and rhachis pubescent; stipules persistent, linear-triangular, pubescent.

Distribution and Ecology

Endemic to Queensland(?), occurs in CYP, NEQ and southwards as far as coastal central Queensland. Altitudinal range from sea level to 500 m. Grows in monsoon forest, drier or more seasonal rain forest and quite well developed rain forest on a variety of sites. May extend into New Guinea.