Phaleria clerodendron

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.[2]

Scented daphne
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Genus: Phaleria
Species:
P. clerodendron
Binomial name
Phaleria clerodendron
Synonyms[2][3][4]

Drimyspermum clerodendron F.Muell.

Description

The scented daphne grows as a large shrub or small tree, usually around 3.5 m (11 ft) in height but may be up to 10 m (33 ft).[2][5] It is often multi-stemmed and may be buttressed.[6][7] The glabrous (glossy) dark green leaves are simple, measure 9–20 cm (3.5–7.9 in) long by 4–7.5 cm (1.6–3.0 in) wide, and are attached to the twig with a petiole around 1 cm (0.39 in) long.[2][5]

Flowering occurs from October to April and the inflorescences mostly arise from the branches (ramiflorous), or from the trunk (cauliflorous), but may also arise in the leaf axils.[6][7] The fragrant, clustered, white flowers have a very long corolla tube up to 40 mm (1.6 in) long, much longer than the petals.[2][5] They are followed by globose, fleshy, red fruits which are a drupe, and they ripen between December and July.[6]

Taxonomy

Ferdinand von Mueller initially described the species in 1869 as Drimyspermum clerodendron in his work Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae (vol.7), from material collected by John Dallachy at Rockingham Bay.[8] In 1873 George Bentham published another description in Flora Australiensis (vol.6), in which it was given the current binomial combination.[9]

Etymology

The genus name Phaleria comes from the Ancient Greek φάλαρος (phálāros) meaning "having a white spot"; the species epithet clerodendron refers to a resemblance to the genus Clerodendrum.[10]

Distribution and habitat

P. clerodendron is endemic to north-eastern Queensland, with recorded occurrences from near Cooktown in the north to Cardwell in the south. It grows in well developed rainforest at altitudes ranging from sea level up to about 900 m (3,000 ft), thus it is found in almost all parts of—and entirely contained within—the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, with the exception of the highest peaks and the most southern section.[2][5]

Ecology

Fruits of the scented daphne are eaten by cassowaries.[2][6]

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern.[1] As of 3 July 2021, it has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Cultivation

The species is regarded as an attractive garden ornamental due to its dark green foliage, the spectacular and pleasantly-scented flower clusters, and the colourful fruit. It may be grown with the correct care as far south as Sydney.[2][7][11][12]

  • Ripe fruits, Cairns Botanic Gardens, July 2021
    Ripe fruits, Cairns Botanic Gardens, July 2021
  • Trunk with unripened fruit
    Trunk with unripened fruit
  • Flowers
    Flowers
  • Unripe fruit
    Unripe fruit
  • Habit, Cairns Botanic Gardens, July 2021
    Habit, Cairns Botanic Gardens, July 2021

References
  1. "Species profile—Phaleria clerodendron". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Phaleria clerodendron". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  3. "Phaleria clerodendron (F.Muell.) Benth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  4. "Phaleria clerodendron". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  5. Rye, B.L. (2020). "Phaleria clerodendron". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  6. Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 541. ISBN 9780958174213. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  7. Jones, David L. (1986). Rainforest Plants of Australia. Bowgowlah, NSW, Australia: Reed Books. p. 231. ISBN 0-7301-0381-1.
  8. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1869). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 7. Retrieved 3 July 2021 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  9. Bentham, George (1873). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 6. Retrieved 3 July 2021 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  10. "Phaleria clerodendron". The Society for Growing Australian Plants, Cairns Branch. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  11. "Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens - The Scented Daphne tree is popping out flowers from its trunk!". Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. Mackay Regional Council. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  12. "Breathe Magic Into Your Rainforest Garden – Jerry Coleby-Williams". Jerry Coleby-Williams. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
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