Citronella moorei: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Species of tree}}

{{taxobox

{{speciesbox

|image = Citronellamoorei-allynriver.jpg

|image_caption = giant '''Citronella moorei''',At [[Allyn River]], [[Barrington Tops]], [[Australia]]NSW

|status =

|status_system =

|genus = ''[[Citronella (genus)|Citronella]]''

|regnum = [[Plantae]]

|species = '''''C. moorei'''''

|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]

|binomial_authorityauthority = [[F. Muell.]] ex [[Benth.]] & R. A. Howard

|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]

|unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]

|ordo = [[Aquifoliales]]

|familia = [[Cardiopteridaceae]]

|genus = ''[[Citronella (genus)|Citronella]]''

|species = '''''C. moorei'''''

|binomial = ''Citronella moorei''

|binomial_authority = [[F. Muell.]] ex [[Benth.]] & R. A. Howard

|synonyms =

* Villaresia moorei [[F. Muell.]]

* Chariessa moorei, [[Adolf Engler|Engl.]]

|}}

'''''Citronella moorei''''' is a [[rainforest]] tree growing in eastern [[Australia]]. Common names for this species include Churnwoodchurnwood, Citronellacitronella, Soapysoapy Boxbox, Silkysilky Beechbeech,<ref>{{APNI | name = ''Citronella moorei'' (F.Muell. ex Benth.) R.A.Howard | id = 15496}}</ref> and Corduroycorduroy. It is easily identified in the rainforest by the extraordinary twisting and crooked trunk.

== Habitat Description==

''Citronella moorei'' is a large tree attaining a height of 50 metres and a diameter of 2&nbsp;m. The crown is dark green and dense. The bark is fawn or greyish, fissured and corky. The trunk is prominently and irregularly channelled, twisting or fluted. TheOften the trunk is leaning and crooked. It is rarely round except in very young trees. Often the trunk is leaning and crooked.

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.

Growing on volcanic soils or rich alluvial soils in tropical, sub tropical and warm temperate rainforests. Common in sheltered valleys and slopes. It is found from the [[Clyde River, New South Wales]] to [[Mossman, Queensland]] in the tropics.

''C. 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> The flowering period is from May to September, with creamy green flowers forming in narrow panicles.

== Description ==

The fruit is a black [[drupe]], about 2 &nbsp;cm long. The outer part succulentis moist and fleshy, while the inner part is hard. Fruit riperipen from December to June. EatenThey are eaten by [[Greengreen Catbirdcatbird]], [[Topknottopknot Pigeonpigeon]] and [[Wompoowompoo Fruitfruit Dovedove]].

''Citronella moorei'' is a large tree attaining a height of 50 metres and a diameter of 2 metres. The crown is dark green and dense. Easily identified in the rainforest by the extraordinary twisting and crooked trunk.

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.

=== Bark, trunk & leaves ===

==Distribution and habitat==

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.

Growing on volcanic soils or rich alluvial soils in tropical, sub tropicalsubtropical and warm temperate rainforests., it is Commoncommon 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.

Branchlets moderately slender, green and smooth. Young shoots finely downy. Leaves are alternate and simple. 5 to 10 cm long, 4 to 6 cm broad. Leaves are not wavy edged, and drawn out to a blunt point.

== Timber & Uses ==

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

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

=== Flowers, fruit & germination ===

Flowering period May to September. Creamy green in narrow panicles.

The fruit is a black[[drupe]], about 2 cm long. The outer part succulent 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.

== Timber & Uses ==

Pale grey timber, close grained with conspicuous rays. Sapwood is susceptible to borers.

== Gallery ==

== Gallery ==

<gallery>

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

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

Image:Citronella moorei Budderoo2Hacking River2.JPG|Citronella''C. moorei'' growing by the [[MinnamurraHacking River]]

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

</gallery>

<gallery>

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

Image:Citronella moorei juvenile1.JPG|Citronella moorei juvenile

Image:Citronella moorei juvenile2.JPG|Citronella moorei juvenile

</gallery>

== References ==

{{reflistReflist}}

* Floyd, A.G., ''Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia'', Inkata Press 1989, {{ISBN |0-909605-57-2}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5122848}}

|familia = [[Category:Cardiopteridaceae]]

[[Category:Asterids of Australia]]

[[Category:Trees of Australia]]

[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]

[[Category:Flora of Queensland]]

[[Category:CardiopteridaceaeDioecious plants]]