Balanops australiana, commonly known as pimplebark, is a plant in the family Balanopaceae found only in the coastal regions of northern and central Queensland, Australia.
| Pimplebark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ripening fruit | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Balanopaceae |
| Genus: | Balanops |
| Species: | B. australiana
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| Binomial name | |
| Balanops australiana | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
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Description
editBalanops australiana is a tree that may grow to be 35 m (115 ft) tall. The trunk is marked with conspicuous pale lenticels which are relatively large, and the roots of mature trees extend horizontally across the ground for some distance. The leaves are obovate to elliptic, are arranged alternately on the twigs and are held on petioles (stalks) between 5 and 10 mm (0.20 and 0.39 in) long. The leaves measure up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long by 5 cm (2.0 in) wide, and are somewhat thickened; the leaf edges are mostly entire (smooth), but small teeth may be present toward the apex.[4][5][6]
The flowers are very small — the tepals (collectively, petals and sepals that are difficult to tell apart) are just 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 in) long. Flowers are either male or female, and both are surrounded by densely hairy bracts. The fruit is a drupe which is obloid in shape (i.e. somewhat like a Rugby ball). It is yellow or orange, contains one or two seeds and measures about 15 mm (0.59 in) long by 8 mm (0.31 in) wide.[4][5][6]
Phenology
editFlowering occurs from December to January, and fruit ripen between August and May.[6]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first described in 1877 by the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, based on a collection made by John Dallachy ad sinum maris (by the bay) at Rockingham Bay.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species occurs in rainforests of coastal northeastern Queensland, from about Cooktown southwards to about Eungella. It grows on volcanic soils in rainforest, at altitudes from near sea level to about 1,550 m (5,090 ft).[4][5][6]
Ecology
editThe fruit are eaten by fruit doves (genus Ptilinopus), topknot pigeons (Lopholaimus antarcticus), spotted catbirds (Ailuroedus maculosus), and golden bowerbirds (Prionodura newtoniana).[4][6]
Conservation
editAs of August 2024[update], this species has been assessed to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and also under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act.[1][8]
Gallery
edit-
Botanical sketch -
Foliage -
Lower trunk with conspicuous lenticels -
Root travelling across the ground -
Fruit
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References
edit- ^ a b IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2021). "Balanops australiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T192209044A192225599. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T192209044A192225599.en. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Balanops australiana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Balanops australiana F.Muell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Balanops australiana". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Carlquist, S.; Kodela, P.G. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Balanops australiana". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-9581742-1-3.
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand von (1877). Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ (in Latin). Vol. 10. Melbourne: Joannis Ferres. p. 114. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Species profile—Balanops australiana". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
External links
edit
- View a map of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver.com