Anopterus macleayanus

Anopterus macleayanus, commonly known as Queensland laurel or Macleay laurel, is a shrub or small tree in the family Escalloniaceae. It is native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.[2]

Anopterus macleayanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Escalloniales
Family: Escalloniaceae
Genus: Anopterus
Species:
A. macleayanus
Binomial name
Anopterus macleayanus

The species was formally described in 1859 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, having been collected from the summit of Mt Lindsay.[1] It was named in honour of Sir William Macleay. It is one of two species that belong to the genus Anopterus.[3]

Anopterus macleayanus can grow up to 15 metres (50 ft) high and has oblanceolate (spear-shaped) leaves that are 10-to-30 cm long (3.9-to-11.8 in) and 2-to-4 cm wide (0.79-to-1.57 in) with blunt serrated margins. The juvenile leaves may be considerably larger. The petioles and leaf bases are red-tinged. The white flowers occur in racemes between October and December (mid spring to early summer) in its native range.[2]

Anopterus macleayanus is a plant of warm-temperate and subtropical rainforest from the Comboyne Plateau in New South Wales northwards into Queensland.[2]

The thrips species Thrips setipennis was recovered from the flowers of Anopterus macleayanus, suggesting it may be a pollinator.[4]

Its long leaves with wavy margins and red-pink highlights give it horticultural potential.[5] Anopterus macleayanus grows best in part-shaded positions in well-drained soil in the garden, with added water during the summer.[3] As a rainforest floor plant, it requires a sheltered position when becoming established in the garden.[6] It is resilient but can be slow-growing. It can be grown in containers,[3] even as an indoor plant.[5]

References
  1. "Anopterus macleayanus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Harden, G.J. "New South Wales Flora Online: Anopterus macleayanus". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  3. Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1985). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation. 2. Port Melbourne, Victoria: Lothian Press. p. 103; 204. ISBN 0-85091-143-5.
  4. Williams, G. A.; Adam, P.; Mound, L. A. (2001). "Add to e-Shelf Thrips (Thysanoptera) pollination in Australian subtropical rainforests, with particular reference to pollination of Wilkiea huegeliana (Monimiaceae)". Journal of Natural History. 35 (1): 1–21. doi:10.1080/002229301447853.
  5. Ratcliffe, David & Patricia (1987). Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Crows Nest, NSW: Little Hills Press. p. 54. ISBN 0-949773-49-2.
  6. Hockings, F.D. (1979). "Rainforest Plants as Garden Plants". Australian Plants. 9 (76): 335–47 [343].
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