Baby cheeses

A small to medium densely growing tree to 15 metres with simple, alternate, pseudo-pinnate leaves. Common, hardy and usually found on margins of rainforest and along scrubby watercourses. Glochidion from Greek glchin or glchis projecting point, barb of an arrow, referring to the toothed style of some species, Ferdinandi after Ferdinand Jakob Heinrich von Mueller (1825 – 1896). Leaves are elliptical to oblong elliptical, sometimes slightly unequal sided at the base and curled to one side – a distinctive feature possibly caused by insect damage. The leaf blade is soft and thin, green and glossy above, paler below and sometimes softly hairy. The leaves are very variable, making identification difficult. Juvenile plants and coppicing shoots can have much larger leaves. A host plant for Arhopala micale and Candalides helenita butterflies. In tropical Queensland a host plant for the largest moth found in Australia, the Hercules or Atlas Moth Coscinocera hercules and also host for the Saturniid moth Syntherata janetta.

Juvenile foliage. Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Fruit and seeds are very susceptible to attack by insect larvae. The fruit can be white, cream, pale green and orange to red when ripe 10-15 mm wide. They are roundish, ribbed, resembling miniature Queensland Blue pumpkins (not really resembling cheeses). The seeds are bright red and are attractive to birds. Some fruits may contain no seeds. Seeds in 4-6 pairs, covered by red aril, ripe November to February. Collect fruit from tree when they start to split. Store in a paper bag until capsules open revealing red seeds and plant immediately. Germination takes 7 to 16 weeks. Seed stores for several months. Can be propagated from cuttings.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte