Blossoming in the Flower Garden
Description
This tree is a native of areas from Malesia to North Queensland. Leaves are large and bi- to tri-pinnate, the pinnules or ultimate leaflets are opposite. Flowers in clusters along the trunk and main branches; petals white, stamens numerous, filaments white to 5 cm long. Pods are woody, curving and split open along one suture, up to 10 cm long; red on the outside, orange on the inside, seeds black.
Family
Mimosaceae
Botanical Name
Archidendron lucyi F.Muell.
Mueller, F.J.H. von (1868) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 6: 201. Type: Murray River, Rockingham Bay, 14 Oct 1867, J. Dallachy; holo: K (?), iso: MEL.
Stem
Seldom grows beyond 30 cm dbh. Blaze odour obnoxious, resembling that of rotten tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum).
Leaves
Leaflet blades rather large, about 13-20 x 6.5-11 cm, narrowed into a short, about 0.4-0.5 cm, dark, transversely wrinkled stalk. Depressed glands usually present on the upper surface, at the base and apex of the compound leaf petiole or at the base of the compound leaf petiole and at the apex of the primary compound leaf axis. Similar glands also present on the secondary axes between the attachment points of the leaflets.
Flowers
Inflorescences mainly on the stem. Flower odour like honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) Flowers pedicellate, pedicels about 3-4 mm long. Staminal filaments cream, about 30-50 mm long.
Fruit
Fruit borne on the stem and larger branches but mainly on the stem. Fruits yellow or orange on the inner surface. Seeds about 10-16 x 8-10 mm.
Seedlings
First pair of leaves pinnate, each leaf with two leaflets, midrib on the upper surface, petiole and stem with a few very short, prostrate, pale hairs. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves and petioles glabrous; crater-like glands on the upper surface of the compound leaf at the apex of the petiole and on the secondary axes where the leaflets are attached; leaflet blades without glands.
Distribution and Ecology
Occurs in NEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 100 m. Grows as an understory tree in coastal lowland rain forest. Also occurs in eastern Malesia and the Solomon Islands.
Natural History
A small tree suitable for tropical gardens. Produces very large compound leaves, panicles of white flowers from the trunk and branches and orange-red spiraled fruits that are yellow inside and have blue or blue-black seeds.
Source: http://keys.trin.org.au:8080/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Archidendron_lucyi.htm
