Log wood
Haematoxylum campechianum, Fam. Caesalpiniaceae
Spiny, semi-deciduous tree or multi-stemmed large shrub. Deeply fluted or corrugated trunk appearing like a cluster of stems fused together.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Shrub, Small tree |
| Family: | Caesalpiniaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Alternate, compound with 2-4 pairs of small wedge-shaped leaflets, each with a notch at the apex. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow, Maroon |
| Flower description: | Maroon in bud, pale yellow, orchid-like when open, arranged in showy spikes. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Flat papery brown pods to 50mm, containing 1-2 seeds, remain on the tree for several months. Seeds are pale brown, flattened and diagonally oblong, 3 x 8mm. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Mexico |
| Notes: | Spread by: seeds probably spread by water. Appears to sucker and/or reproduce prolifically from seeds. Invades/threats: road verges, stream banks, open forests; forms dense impenetrable thickets. Notes: grown overseas as an ornamental but source of local populations is unclear. Dense infestations as well as scattered smaller populations recorded within the Mackay area– mostly close to watercourses or wetlands. Seeds are reported to have a natural viability of 8 months and a 50% germination rate. The heartwood is a source of the dye haematoxylum. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
