Argyrodendron

taxobox
name = "Argyrodendron"

---

image_caption = "Argyrodendron actinophyllum"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Malvales
familia = Malvaceae
genus = "Argyrodendron"
genus_authority = F. Muell.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Argyrodendron actinophyllum" "Argyrodendron peralatum" "Argyrodendron polyandrum" "Argyrodendron trifoliolatum"|

"Argyrodendron" is a genus of mainly trees in the mallow family Malvaceae. They occur in Malesia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and Australia. In Australia, they are a well-known rainforest species known by their Indigenous Australian name, booyong or the tulip oak.

"Argyrodendron" has often been treated as a synonym of "Heritiera", but a recent molecular study shows it to be distinct therefrom [Wilkie et al. "Phylogenetic Relationships within the Subfamily Sterculioideae (Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae-Sterculieae) Using the Chloroplast Gene ndhF." Syst. Bot. 31(1): 160-170 (2006).] .

In their native habitat, they can grow quite tall, 40-60 metres, but rarely reach this in cultivation. The bases of large trees are usually prominently buttressed. Leaves with white or silver on underside. "Argyrodendron actinophyllum" and "Argyrodendron trifoliolatum" occur in scrubs and rainforests along the east coast of Australia, but "Argyrodendron peralatum" has a restricted distribution in north Queensland between Tully and Cooktown. The grain is usually straight and open, sometimes interlocked or wavy and irregular producing some beautifully figured wood. Attractive figure on tangential face and large ray fleck on radial face are prominent features of "Argyrodendron" wood.

References