Geijera parviflora
Encyclopedia
Geijera parviflora, commonly known as the Wilga or Native Willow, is a small tree or bush found in inland parts of eastern Australia
. It features thin drooping leaves, up to 18 cm (7 in) long. It was first described by English botanist John Lindley
in 1848, Other vernacular names include sheepbush and dogwood. The specific epithet parviflora is from the Latin
, meaning "small flowers".
Wilga may grow to 10 metres (35 ft) tall, and has drooping branches. The leaves are linear to spear-shaped (lanceolate) and range from 3.5 to 18 cm (1.6-7 in) long and 0.4–1 cm (0.2-0.4 in) wide. They give off a strong smell when crushed. The small white-petalled flowers of this member of the citrus family
occur between June and November. Their smell has been described as foetid, and they attract blowflies. The flowers have also been described as strong smelling or citrus scented, they attract insects. The fruit are globose in shape, around 5 mm long, inside are shiny black seeds. Regeneration from fresh seed and cuttings has proven to be difficult. It is suggested that the hard seed coat should be cracked, to assist seed germination.
Wilga prefers calcareous soils - either red clays or sandy soils, and grows as scattered trees in open woodland or occasionally in stands. It is found in inland Australia, from central-western New South Wales and Queensland and Victoria into South Australia.
Wilga is a useful shade and fodder
tree in agricultural areas. Sheep particularly enjoy grazing on the lower branches, although trees appear to vary greatly in palatability (some are eagerly sought after and others ignored). The reason for this variation is unknown, and soil composition is speculated as a cause. Despite being slow growing, it is planted in Australia and overseas as an ornamental. It prefers full sunshine, and can tolerate the occasional light frost and drought
. Indigenous Australians
chewed the aromatic leaves for alleviating toothache.
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 features thin drooping leaves, up to 18 cm (7 in) long. It was first described by English botanist John Lindley
John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
in 1848, Other vernacular names include sheepbush and dogwood. The specific epithet parviflora is from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, meaning "small flowers".
Wilga may grow to 10 metres (35 ft) tall, and has drooping branches. The leaves are linear to spear-shaped (lanceolate) and range from 3.5 to 18 cm (1.6-7 in) long and 0.4–1 cm (0.2-0.4 in) wide. They give off a strong smell when crushed. The small white-petalled flowers of this member of the citrus family
Rutaceae
Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family, is a family of flowering plants, usually placed in the order Sapindales.Species of the family generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually with strong scents...
occur between June and November. Their smell has been described as foetid, and they attract blowflies. The flowers have also been described as strong smelling or citrus scented, they attract insects. The fruit are globose in shape, around 5 mm long, inside are shiny black seeds. Regeneration from fresh seed and cuttings has proven to be difficult. It is suggested that the hard seed coat should be cracked, to assist seed germination.
Wilga prefers calcareous soils - either red clays or sandy soils, and grows as scattered trees in open woodland or occasionally in stands. It is found in inland Australia, from central-western New South Wales and Queensland and Victoria into South Australia.
Wilga is a useful shade and fodder
Fodder
Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...
tree in agricultural areas. Sheep particularly enjoy grazing on the lower branches, although trees appear to vary greatly in palatability (some are eagerly sought after and others ignored). The reason for this variation is unknown, and soil composition is speculated as a cause. Despite being slow growing, it is planted in Australia and overseas as an ornamental. It prefers full sunshine, and can tolerate the occasional light frost and drought
Drought in Australia
Drought in Australia is defined as rainfall over a three month period being in the lowest decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past. This definition takes into account that drought is a relative term and rainfall deficiencies need to be compared to typical rainfall patterns...
. Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
chewed the aromatic leaves for alleviating toothache.