Syzygium alatoramulum, commonly known as tinkling satinash, is a plant in the clove and eucalyptus family Myrtaceae, found only in the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia.
| Tinkling satinash | |
|---|---|
| |
| Foliage and fruit | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Syzygium |
| Species: | S. alatoramulum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Syzygium alatoramulum | |
Description
editSyzygium alatoramulum is a small poorly formed tree which may reach 20 m (66 ft) in height and 80 cm (30 in) trunk diameter, but is usually much smaller than this. The twigs are somewhat square in cross-section with conspicuous wings. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are held on very short petioles (leaf stalks) about 5 mm (0.2 in) long. The leaf blades average about 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 3.5 cm (1.4 in) wide, with 10–15 pairs of conspicuous lateral veins. There are two intramarginal veins (that is, veins that run parallel to the leaf margin), the first of which is indistinct and about 1 mm from the margin, the second is conspicuous and about 4 mm (0.16 in) from the margin. Numerous pellucid glands , or 'oil dots', are visible to the naked eye.[4][5][6]
The inflorescence is paniculate with flowers in triads, and they are produced either terminally or in the upper leaf axils. The flowers are white, four merous, and in bud they are shaped like a spinning top — after opening, the corolla tube tapers evenly into the pedicel, or flower stalk. The petals are rounded and about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) diameter, stamens are numerous and about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, and the pistil is about the same length or slightly longer.[4][5][6]
The fruit is a berry about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide and long. It is white or cream, with a very subtle tinge of purple. It contains a single seed about 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter.[4][5][6]
Phenology
editFlowering occurs from September to January, and fruit appear between January and March.[4]
Taxonomy
editThis plant was first described in 1983 by the Australian botanist Bernard Hyland. He published his description, which was based on material collected by himself in 1971, in the journal Australian Journal of Botany.[4]
Etymology
editThe genus name Syzygium comes from the Ancient Greek sýzygos, meaning 'joined', 'yoked', or 'paired', and refers to the paired leaves. The species epithet alatoramulum is created from a combination of the Latin alatus, 'winged', and ramulus, 'branch' or 'twig', which refers to the prominent wings on the twigs.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editSyzygium alatoramulum is restricted to a small part of NE Queensland, specifically the coastal areas from the Windsor Tableland to Mount Bartle Frere, at altitudes from {{cvt|50|to|1200|m}. It grows in wet eucalypt forest and rainforest, close to water courses, on soils derived from granite.[4][5][6]
Conservation
editThis species is listed as least concern under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act.[1] As of 18 July 2024[update], it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Gallery
edit-
Trunk -
Leaves -
Underside of leaves -
Flowers -
Fruit
References
edit- ^ a b "Species profile—Syzygium alatoramulum". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Syzygium alatoramulum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Syzygium alatoramulum B.Hyland". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hyland, B.P.M. (1983). "A Revision of Syzygium and Allied Genera (Myrtaceae) in Australia". Australian Journal of Botany, Supplementary Series. 13 (9): 42–44. doi:10.1071/BT8309001.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Syzygium alatoramulum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. ISBN 978-0-9581742-1-3.
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