Leaves are broadly ovate large, with pointed tip. Useful for establishing a canopy quickly. Weed exclusion underneath trees is often found and thought to result from allelopathic interactions.
They prefer open sunny spots, so when larger natives are established — including species like Weeping Lilly PIlly (Waterhousea floribunda) Black Bean (Castanospermum australe), Weeping Bottlebrush (Calistemon viminalis) She Oak (Casurina cunninghamiana) and Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) — the Macaranga are shaded out and don’t do as well.
Usually found in very disturbed vegetation and abandoned cultivation areas, often along roads or streams. It readily spreads if the soil is continually disturbed, say by weeding. Common throughout the Enoggera catchment due to seed produced upstream.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers
Macaranga from the Madagascan name for the first species of the genus to be described; tanarius, possibly an Amboinese name from whence it was first described.
Attracts Rainbow Lorikeets, Silvereyes and provides shelter for Graceful Tree Frogs.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Fruit
In South East Asia the bark yielded a glue used for fastening together the parts of musical instruments. The bark, fruit and leaves of this tree have been used as ingredients in a popular fermented drink known as “basi”. The tannin in the bark was used in the Moluccas to toughen fishing-nets.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Tubestock in nursery

Photo: Robert Whyte