Guioa semiglauca, known as the guioa or wild quince, is a rainforest tree of eastern Australia It grows from Kioloa (35° S) near Batemans Bay in southern New South Wales to Eungella National Park (20° S) in tropical Queensland. It grows in many different types of rainforest, particularly common in regenerating areas and on sand in littoral rainforest.

Guioa semiglauca
Foliage and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Guioa
Species:
G. semiglauca
Binomial name
Guioa semiglauca
Synonyms[3]

Description

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Guioa semiglauca grows to around 25 m tall and 43 cm in diameter, but it may flower and fruit when only 6 m tall. The outer bark is smooth and the trunk is fluted. It is similar to coachwood, however it is more fluted and irregular.[4][5]

The veiny leaflets are pinnate and measure up to 10 cm long. The midrib extends beyond the leaf to form a tiny tip. They are green above and whitish (glaucous) below. The yellow/green flowers form around September to November. The fruiting capsule matures from January to May. The seeds are oval covered by a thin layer of fleshy aril. Fruit eaten by a large variety of birds, including the Australian king parrot.[4][5]

Uses

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Indigenous Australians used the saponin in the bark as a fish poison.

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References

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  1. ^ "Species profile—Guioa semiglauca". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Guioa semiglauca". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Guioa semiglauca (F.Muell.) Radlk". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Harden, G.; Crayn, D.M. (1991). "PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Guioa semiglauca". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
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