Bright yellow dye

Small tree to 15 metres found in subtropical, dry and littoral rainforests from the Clarence River, NSW to Townsville, north Queensland. Simple leaves, alternate, blade green above, whitish to yellow and downy below; triangular to ovate, 4-10 cm long. Greyish flower in racemes from leaf axils. Flowering period November to December. An ornamental tree, worthy of cultivation with its pretty, light green, dense crown and attractive fruit. The fruits yield a bright yellow dye. Fruit is attractive to birds and bats. Also called White Kamala and Bungaby.

Trunk. David Somerville © 2002

Seed collecting and propagation

Capsule-like fruit, yellow or orange, 2 to 4 lobed. Fruit ripe in January. Seed should be sown fresh as it has a short viability.

Fruit and foliage. David Somerville © 2002