Blunt leaved tulip
Harpullia hillii, Fam. Sapindaceae
Attractive small tree with a dense crown and grey smooth to finely scaly bark.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Small tree |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Leaf: | Alternate, pinnate with six to 12 leaflets (rarely to 16), rachis tip extended. Leaflets 7-15cm long, oblong, entire, often asymmetrical at the base, firm, glossy green, with scattered stellate hairs, tip blunt or notched, venation obvious. Rachis may be flattened or winged, especially in juveniles. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White |
| Flower description: | Short, loose panicles of small, white flowers at the end of the branches. Late winter to early summer. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Orange, Yellow |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Yellow orange, two to three lobed capsules, covered in fine hairs in pendulous clusters. Black seed almost enclosed in a red aril. Fruit often lack seed, Spring to summer. |
| Habitat: | Rainforest. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales. |
| Food source for: | Larvae of the common pencilled blue butterfly feed on the flower buds and young foliage. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia. |
| Notes: | An excellent shade tree. Easily grown from seed including mature seed. Pale to almost white, fine grained, tough timber. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
