Citronella moorei: Difference between revisions

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'''''Citronella moorei''''' is a [[rainforest]] tree growing in eastern [[Australia]]. Common names for this species include churnwood, citronella, soapy box, silky beech,<ref>{{APNI | name = ''Citronella moorei'' (F.Muell. ex Benth.) R.A.Howard | id = 15496}}</ref> and corduroy. It is easily identified in the rainforest by the extraordinary twisting and crooked trunk.

==Description==

''Citronella moorei'' is a large tree attaining a height of 50 metres and a diameter of 2 metres&nbsp;m. The crown is dark green and dense. EasilyThe identifiedbark inis thefawn rainforestor bygreyish, thefissured extraordinaryand corky. The trunk is prominently and irregularly channelled, twisting or fluted. Often the trunk is leaning and crooked. trunkIt is rarely round except in very young trees.

Branchlets are moderately slender, green and smooth., Youngwhile young shoots are finely downy. LeavesThe leaves are alternate and simple., 5 to 10&nbsp;cm long, and 4 to 6&nbsp;cm broad. LeavesThey are not wavy edged, and drawn out to a blunt point. Old leaves turn black on the forest floor. Venation is prominent on both surfaces. The midrib and four to six lateral veins are raised, conspicuous and paler beneath.

===Bark, trunk and leaves===

The bark is fawn or greyish, fissured and corky. The trunk is prominently and irregularly channelled, twisting or fluted. The trunk is rarely round except in very young trees. Often the trunk is leaning and crooked.

''CitronellaC. moorei'' is [[dioecious]], with male and female flowers on separate plants.<ref name=commonwealth>Barlow, B.A. (1984) in George, A.S. (ed) [https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/b74280f2-abaf-4b38-958a-feef2bfa405f/files/flora-australia-22-rhizophorales-celastrales.pdf Flora of Australia. Volume 22. Rhizophorales to Celastrales]. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.</ref> FloweringThe flowering period is from May to September., Creamywith creamy green flowers forming in narrow panicles.

Branchlets moderately slender, green and smooth. Young shoots finely downy. Leaves are alternate and simple. 5 to 10&nbsp;cm long, 4 to 6&nbsp;cm broad. Leaves are not wavy edged, and drawn out to a blunt point. Old leaves turn black on the forest floor.

The fruit is a black [[drupe]], about 2&nbsp;cm long. The outer part is moist and fleshy, while the inner part is hard. Fruit riperipen from December to June. EatenThey are eaten by [[green catbird]], [[topknot pigeon]] and [[wompoo fruit dove]].

Venation is prominent on both surfaces. Midrib and four to six lateral veins raised, conspicuous and paler beneath.

===Flowers, fruit and germination===

''Citronella moorei'' is [[dioecious]], with male and female flowers on separate plants.<ref name=commonwealth>Barlow, B.A. (1984) in George, A.S. (ed) [https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/b74280f2-abaf-4b38-958a-feef2bfa405f/files/flora-australia-22-rhizophorales-celastrales.pdf Flora of Australia. Volume 22. Rhizophorales to Celastrales]. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.</ref> Flowering period May to September. Creamy green flowers in narrow panicles.

The fruit is a black [[drupe]], about 2&nbsp;cm long. The outer part moist and fleshy, the inner part hard. Fruit ripe December to June. Eaten by [[green catbird]], [[topknot pigeon]] and [[wompoo fruit dove]].

Removal of the fleshy [[aril]] is advised. Germination of sown fresh seed is slow, beginning after about six months and being complete after 8 to 14 months yielding a 100% success rate.

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==Distribution and habitat==

Growing on volcanic soils or rich alluvial soils in tropical, sub tropicalsubtropical and warm temperate rainforests., Commonit is common in sheltered valleys and slopes. It''Citronella moorei'' is found from the [[Clyde River, New South Wales]] (35° S) to [[Mossman, Queensland]] (16° S) in the tropics.

==Timber and uses==

Pale greyThe timber is pale grey, close grained with conspicuous rays. SapwoodThe sapwood is susceptible to borers.

==Gallery==

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Image:Citronella moorei Hacking River1.JPG|''Citronella moorei'' growing by the [[Hacking River]]

Image:Citronella moorei Budderoo.JPG|''C. moorei'' growing by the [[Minnamurra River]]

Image:Citronella moorei Budderoo2.JPG|''C. moorei'' growing by the [[Minnamurra River]]

Image:Citronella moorei Hacking River2.JPG|''C. moorei'' growing by the [[Hacking River]]

Image:Citronella moorei juvenile1.JPG|''C. moorei'' juvenile

Image:Citronella moorei juvenile2.JPG|''C. moorei'' juvenile

</gallery>