Conspicuous tree in swampy areas

Small tree with white papery bark can reach 18 metres. Stiff bluish leaves with small point at tip, usually 5 main longitudinal veins. Produces creamy white flowers in profusion. Was common in Brisbane coastal plains but habitat extensively cleared. Aboriginal people may have soaked nectar-rich flowers in drinking water. Papery back had many uses including building shelders and wrapping food for cooking. Called the punk tree in the USA where it is considered to be an invasive species in the Everglades in Florida as it crowds out native vegetation. It’s also considered a weed in Hawaii, South Carolina, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Texas. The flowers are arranged in spikes on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering, sometimes also in the upper leaf axils. The spikes contain 5 to 18 groups of flowers in threes and are up to 40 mm in diameter and 20–50 mm long. The petals are about 3 mm long and fall off as the flower ages. The stamens are white, cream-coloured or greenish and are arranged in 5 bundles around the flower, with 5 to 10 stamens per bundle. Flowering occurs from spring to early autumn, September to March in Australia. Flowering is followed by fruit which are woody, broadly cylindrical capsules, 2.5–4 mm long and clustered, spike-like along the branches. Each capsule contains many tiny seeds which are released annually.

Flowers. Photo: Geoff Derrin CC BY-SA 4.0

Seed collecting and propagation

Fruit which are woody, broadly cylindrical capsules, 2.5–4 mm long and clustered, spike-like along the branches. Each capsule contains many tiny seeds which are released annually. There are over 2650 viable seeds per gram. Seeds start to germinate in about 5 days if grown at 30°C with no pretreatment required.