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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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Swizel bush

Timonius timon, Fam. Rubiaceae


Shrub or small tree to about 10m with light to dark grey black, rough, flaky to tessellated bark.

Weed Category:
Weed: No
Form or habit: Shrub, Small tree
Family: Rubiaceae
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, entire, ovate to elliptic, 6-15cm long, glabrous or with silky hairs along veins and below, hairy domatia present. Young shoots often silky hairy. Stipules long, membranous, interpetiolar and leave a scar when shed.
Flower conspicuous: Conspicuous
Flower colour:

White

Flower description: Small, white, silky hairy, fragrant flowers solitary or in small clusters. Mostly spring.
Fruit conspicuous: Conspicuous
Fruit colour:

Brown

Fruit:
Fruit description: Brown, globose, about 1.3cm in diameter with a persistent calyx.
Habitat: Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, littoral rainforest, rainforest.
Distribution Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia, Malesia, Asia.
Food source for: Fruit eaten by the northern and southern blossom bats. Nectar eaten by the dusky honeyeater. Larval food plant of the moths Coscinocera (Hercules moth) and Syntherata janetta.
Toxicity: No toxicity known
Origin: Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia, Malesia, Asia.
Notes: Grow from seed. Some Aboriginal communities drank an infusion from the inner bark to combat colds, influenza and fevers, sore eyes were treated with a concoction from the wood.
Information sources: Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia.

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