Python tree
Gossia bidwillii, Fam. Myrtaceae
Medium tree with an attractive, often bendy, irregular fluted or bulging trunk and pink new growth. The bark is one of the most attractive features of the tree and is the source of its common name. It is smooth, thin and varies from more or less uniform fawny orange to being magnificently blotched with green, orange and brown. Old bark is shed in papery flakes.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Med tree |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple, opposite, entire, ovate to elliptic, about 5-9cm long and generally drawn out to a fine tip. Glabrous, somewhat soft and thin, glossy dark green above, paler and less glossy below. Oil dots numerous and conspicuous. Intramarginal vein clearly separate from the leaf margin. Strongly aromatic and sticky when crushed. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White |
| Flower description: | Axillary or terminal panicles of small white flowers, sweetly scented. August to March. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Black |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Black, flattened globular berries, 5-6mm in diameter, five persistent calyx lobes, contain three to five seeds. October to May. |
| Habitat: | Rainforest. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales. |
| Food source for: | Fruit eaten by the rose crowned fruit dove, Lewin's honeyeater, figbird and golden bowerbird. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia. |
| Notes: | A hardy plant but slow growing, requires well drained, relatively fertile soils, will grow in full sun. Seed dispersed by animals. Cuttings are difficult to strike and slow to grow, seed germinate readily. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
