Sumatran buttonwood
Glochidion sumatranum, Fam. Euphorbiaceae
Small to medium tree with grey bark becoming dark brown with loose grey flakes on older trees. The species was first collected in Sumatra, Indonesia hence the name.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Small tree, Med tree |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple, alternate, entire, pseudo-pinnate, elliptic or ovate, 5-22cm long. Glossy green on both surfaces, glabrous or softly hairy beneath, yellow venation. Thick petioles, 5-7mm long. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow, Green |
| Flower description: | Umbels of scented, yellow green flowers, male and female flowers occur on the same rachis. Any month of the year. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Pink, Red |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Furry, dusky pink to rusty coloured capsule, 0.5-10mm in diameter, resembling a tiny pumpkin. May and June, November to February. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, rainforest. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Guinea, Malesia. |
| Food source for: | Fruit eaten by the brown cuckoo dove, rainbow lorikeet, double eyed fig parrot and Lewin’s honeyeater. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Malesia. |
| Notes: | Will grow in full sun, grows rapidly in the first year. Grows readily from seed or cuttings. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
