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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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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.

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