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School Shade Tree Program Greening Townsville Tree Days in Townsville


Nauclea orientalis


Nauclea orientalis BranchNauclea orientalis FormNauclea orientalis Flower

Common Name: Leichhardt Tree
   
Family: Rubiaceae
   
Form and Size: A large tree, 10 - 18m high, with a dense crown; deciduous.
   
Distribution: Across northern tropical Australia; in lowland rainforests, along streams and in swampy areas.
   
Leaves: Opposite, broad, smooth egg-shaped, dark green, veins prominent, tip rounded, 14.5 - 30cm, prominent stipules at base of each leaf are shed after the leaf emerges.
   
Bark: Cream-grey, rough, finely fissured, or tessellated.
   
Flowers: Tubular, yellow petals with white style, fragrant, 2 - 2.5cm long; borne on dense globular heads 2 - 4cm in diameter.
   
Flowering Period: September to December.
   
Fruit: Composite; globular; 3 - 5cm diameter; soft yellowish brown, having an unpleasant odour when ripe.
   
Cultivation/Notes: Propagate from seed. A fast growing tree needing abundant moisture. Suitable for parks or larger gardens only.



For information on Greening Townsville Program please go to:
www.soe-townsville.org/greening/
www.soe-townsville.org/treeday/

Source: Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the Tropics,
compiled by Keith Townsend for Society for Growing Australian Plants.


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