Acmena ingens
Encyclopedia
Acmena ingens is a rainforest
tree of eastern Australia
. It grows on volcanic soil from the Big Scrub
region of north eastern New South Wales
to Gympie
in south eastern Queensland
. Known as the Red Apple or Southern Satinash, Acmena ingens is one of many fleshy fruited myrtles
in Australian rainforests, often referred to as Lilli Pillies.
Leaves are simple, not toothed, opposite on the stem; around 7 to 13 cm long. Oil dots seen in young growth, the thin elliptical leaves often have a prominent pointed tip. The mid rib is raised on the lower leaf side, sunken on the top side. Lateral and net venation is clearly seen on both sides.
White flowers form in panicle
s from November to December. The fruit is a large red berry, 25 to 40 mm in diameter. Inside is a single seed surrounded by white flesh. Fruit matures from May to September, but may appear at other times of the year. Birds seen eating this fruit include Wompoo Fruit Dove, Green Catbird
, Eastern Rosella
, Pied Currawong
and Topknot Pigeon
.
Regeneration is assisted by removing the seed from the flesh, and soaking for a day or two to kill any insect larvae. Germination is swift and reliable. Cuttings also strike well with Acmena ingens.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
tree of eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It grows on volcanic soil from the Big Scrub
Big Scrub
The Big Scrub was the largest area of subtropical lowland rainforest in eastern Australia. It was intensively cleared for agricultural use in the 19th century by colonists...
region of north eastern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
to Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
in south eastern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. Known as the Red Apple or Southern Satinash, Acmena ingens is one of many fleshy fruited myrtles
Myrtaceae
The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, clove, guava, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus belong here. All species are woody, with essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five...
in Australian rainforests, often referred to as Lilli Pillies.
Description
A medium to large tree attaining a height of 40 metres and a trunk diameter of 90 cm. The trunk is cylindrical, smooth and straight with a greyish or fawn coloured bark. The base of larger trees are buttressed.Leaves are simple, not toothed, opposite on the stem; around 7 to 13 cm long. Oil dots seen in young growth, the thin elliptical leaves often have a prominent pointed tip. The mid rib is raised on the lower leaf side, sunken on the top side. Lateral and net venation is clearly seen on both sides.
White flowers form in panicle
Panicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....
s from November to December. The fruit is a large red berry, 25 to 40 mm in diameter. Inside is a single seed surrounded by white flesh. Fruit matures from May to September, but may appear at other times of the year. Birds seen eating this fruit include Wompoo Fruit Dove, Green Catbird
Green Catbird
The Green Catbird, Ailuroedus crassirostris is a species of bowerbird found on subtropical forests along the east coast of Australia, from southeastern Queensland to southern New South Wales. Its colouring is emerald green, with faint black markings on the face and white streaks on the neck.Green...
, Eastern Rosella
Eastern Rosella
The Eastern Rosella is a rosella native to southeast of the Australian continent and to Tasmania. It has been introduced to New Zealand where feral populations are found in the North Island and in the hills around Dunedin in the South Island.-Taxonomy:The Eastern Rosella was named by...
, Pied Currawong
Pied Currawong
The Pied Currawong is a medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian Magpie of the family Artamidae. Six subspecies are recognised...
and Topknot Pigeon
Topknot Pigeon
The Topknot Pigeon is a pigeon native to Australia. It is also known by the name of "Flock Pigeon".-Description:...
.
Regeneration is assisted by removing the seed from the flesh, and soaking for a day or two to kill any insect larvae. Germination is swift and reliable. Cuttings also strike well with Acmena ingens.