Melicope micrococca
Encyclopedia
Melicope micrococca is an Australian rainforest
tree in the citrus
family. The natural range is from the Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales
(34° S) to Maryborough, Queensland
(25° S). The White Euodia, White Doughwood or Hairy-leaved Doughwood is found in many different rainforest types on the east coast of Australia
.
tree growing to 35 metres tall and a diameter of 60 cm. The trunk is relatively smooth, pale brown with some corky irregularities. Mostly cylindrical in shape, though some larger trees are flanged at the base.
The opposite leaflets are in threes, mostly ovate without serrations, 5 to 13 cm long with a blunt tip. The underside of the leaf is paler than above, leaf stalks are quite hairy. The central leaf stalk of the three is longer than the leaf stalk on the left and right leaves.
White flowers form in panicles in the months of November to March. The fruit are small carpels, grey in colour, with a single black seed. The fruit ripens between January to June. Natural regeneration can be prolific in the wild, with dozens of three leaved juvenile plants appearing in open areas.
, Green Catbird
and Lewin's Honeyeater
. Melicope micrococca is a target species for many insects, including butterflies in the Papilionidae group.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
tree in the citrus
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...
family. The natural range is from the Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales
Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales
thumb|300px|Seven Mile Beach at sunsetSeven Mile Beach is a long beach with strong historical reference just south of Gerringong in the Shoalhaven area of New South Wales, Australia....
(34° S) to Maryborough, Queensland
Maryborough, Queensland
Maryborough is a city located on the Mary River in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is serviced by the Bruce Highway, and has a population of approximately 22,000 . It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is...
(25° S). The White Euodia, White Doughwood or Hairy-leaved Doughwood is found in many different rainforest types on the east coast of 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...
.
Description
A medium sized rainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
tree growing to 35 metres tall and a diameter of 60 cm. The trunk is relatively smooth, pale brown with some corky irregularities. Mostly cylindrical in shape, though some larger trees are flanged at the base.
The opposite leaflets are in threes, mostly ovate without serrations, 5 to 13 cm long with a blunt tip. The underside of the leaf is paler than above, leaf stalks are quite hairy. The central leaf stalk of the three is longer than the leaf stalk on the left and right leaves.
White flowers form in panicles in the months of November to March. The fruit are small carpels, grey in colour, with a single black seed. The fruit ripens between January to June. Natural regeneration can be prolific in the wild, with dozens of three leaved juvenile plants appearing in open areas.
Ecology
The fruit is eaten by a variety of birds, including Brown Cuckoo Dove, Crimson RosellaCrimson Rosella
The Crimson Rosella is a parrot native to eastern and south eastern Australia which has been introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is commonly found in, but not restricted to, mountain forests and gardens. The species as it now stands has subsumed two former separate species, the Yellow...
, 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...
and Lewin's Honeyeater
Lewin's Honeyeater
The Lewin's Honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii, is a bird that inhabits the ranges along the east coast of Australia. It has a semicircular ear patch, pale yellow in colour.The name of this bird commemorates the Australian artist John Lewin....
. Melicope micrococca is a target species for many insects, including butterflies in the Papilionidae group.