Rank Species | ||
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Similar Cryptocarya laevigata, Cryptocarya obovata, Cryptocarya microneura, Cryptocarya glaucescens, Cryptocarya erythroxylon | ||
Cryptocarya triplinervis is a rainforest tree growing in eastern Australia. Common names include the three veined laurel, three veined cryptocarya and the brown laurel.
Contents
Cryptocarya triplinervis var. triplinervis grows in littoral rainforests on sandy soils. Another variety var. pubens grows at higher altitude by streams, on volcanic or alluvial soil.
The natural range of distribution is from Smoky Cape (30° S), near South West Rocks, New South Wales to the Daintree River (16° S) in tropical Queensland. It also occurs on Lord Howe Island where it is known as blackbutt.
Description
Cryptocarya triplinervis is a small tree, occasionally reaching 20 metres in height and with a trunk diameter of 60 cm. The bark is grey brown, mostly smooth with lines of vertical bumps running up the trunk.
Leaves alternate, small and broad with a prominent tip. Dark glossy green above, paler and hairy below. Three veined with an easily seen mid vein, which is depressed on the upper side and raised on the lower side of the leaf. Net veins easily seen on the underside. Leaves 6 to 10 cm long. Leaf stalks 10 to 12 mm long.
Pale green fragrant flowers form on short stemmed panicles from September to December. Fruit ripens from February to May. Being a black drupe, 8 to 12 mm across, with a single large seed inside. The fruit is somewhat longitudinally ribbed. Like most Australian Cryptocarya fruit, removal of the aril is advised to assist seed germination. Around 80% of the seeds will germinate, taking between three and six months. Plants generally take around 5 years to fruit in Brisbane Qld .
Taxonomy
The species was formally described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown. Three subspecies are currently recognised: