Small to medium tree to 15 m in littoral, riverine rainforest, northern NSW to South-East Queensland and North Queensland. Large fruit, December to January. Attractive small bushy tree for average-sized gardens. Attracts birds. Dense crown of dark green leaves. Propagate from fresh seed, removed from the flesh. Cryptocarya from Greek kryptos, concealed, and carya, nut, stone or kernel, alluding to the fleshy perianth enclosing the hard seed. Laevigata from Latin laevigatus smooth and polished in reference to the glossy leaves.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers and Glossy Foliage
Flower are in panicles from leaf axils in spring and summer. See next photo for a close-up. Cryptocarya is a successful understorey shrub which can tolerate shade. Can be quite common and abundant.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Fruit and Flowers
Photos by three BRAIN members, from left to right foliage and fruit by Dave Somerville, flower close-up by Paul Donatiu and fruit closeup by Derek Boddington
