Dendrocnide photiniphylla, the shining-leaved stinging tree, is a rainforest tree of eastern Australia. It occurs from near the Colo River northwest of Sydney to Cooktown in tropical Queensland. A versatile species, it occurs in many different rainforest types.[5] The specific epithet photiniphylla translates to 'shining leaf'. The generic name Dendrocnide translates to 'stinging tree'.
| Shining-leaved stinging tree | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Genus: | Dendrocnide |
| Species: | D. photiniphylla
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| Binomial name | |
| Dendrocnide photiniphylla | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
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Common names
editThis species is known by many common names, including fibrewood, small-leaved nettle, mulberry-leaved stinging tree, and gympie.[6]
Sting
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Stinging trees are often disliked by bushwalkers and nature lovers because of the reaction of human skin to their stinging hairs. However, they are an important member of the ecosystems of Australian rainforests. The sting of this plant is not considered as severe as the related Dendrocnide excelsa or Dendrocnide moroides. However, avoiding the leaves and twigs is strongly recommended.
Description
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A medium to large-sized tree up to 30 m (98 ft) tall, its stem diameter is up to 75 cm (30 in). The trunk is flanged or buttressed. The grey bark is fairly smooth, but with some bumps, lines and ridges. Its small branches are smooth and grey, with green at the ends.
The leaves are glossy with erect stinging hairs, particularly on the leaf veins, elliptic in shape, 6 to 13 cm (2.4 to 5.1 in) long, and 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 in) wide.[7]
Male and female flowers sometimes occur on separate trees, appearing yellowish green from November to June on small panicles from the leaf axils. The fruit are unevenly shaped nuts or achenes, resembling a mass of white grubs; they mature from January to March. The fruit would be edible for humans if not for the stinging hairs; they are eaten by many rainforest birds, including the regent bowerbird and the Torresian crow.
Uses
editIndigenous Australians used the fibres to make nets and bags.
References
edit- ^ "Species profile—Dendrocnide photiniphylla". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ Bessen, E. (2022). "Dendrocnide photiniphylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T198972931A198974197. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T198972931A198974197.en. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Dendrocnide photiniphylla". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Dendrocnide photiniphylla (Kunth) Chew". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ Floyd, A. G. (2008). Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia (2nd, Revised ed.). Lismore, New South Wales: Terania Rainforest Publishing. p. 425. ISBN 978-0-958943-67-3. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ^ F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Dendrocnide photinophylla". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Dendrocnide photinophylla". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 2 June 2010.