- Dysoxylum mollissimum subsp. molle
-
Miva Mahogany 
Dysoxylum mollissimum subsp. molle, leaflets Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Sapindales Family: Meliaceae Genus: Dysoxylum Species: D. mollissimum subsp. molle Binomial name Dysoxylum mollissimum subsp. molle
(Miq.) Mabb.Synonyms - Dysoxylum forsteri C.DC.
- Dysoxylum molle Miq.
- Dysoxylum muelleri Benth.
The Red Bean or Miva Mahogany is a rainforest tree in the Mahogany family.[1] Dysoxylum mollissimum subsp. molle occurs in tropical, sub-tropical and littoral rainforests in eastern Australia. Distributed from the Macleay River in New South Wales in the south, to Cooktown, tropical Queensland in the north. The specific epithet mollissimum is from the Latin, meaning "very soft", describing the soft hairy leaflets. A signposted Red Bean tree may be seen near the carpark of Victoria Park Nature Reserve in north eastern New South Wales.
Contents
Description
A large and impressive tree, up to 35 metres tall and a trunk diameter of 120 cm. Usually buttressed or flanged at the base. The trunk is scaly and rough, grey or brown in colour. Freshly cut bark has an onion type scent.[2]
Leaves
Leaflets usually opposite on the stem, without serrations. Distinctly asymmetrical at the leaf base. Leaflets 6 to 15 cm long, 2 to 5 cm wide.[3] Mid green above, paler below. Sometimes softly hairy under the leaf. True leaves are 30 to 60 cm long, pinnate. Leaf stem swollen where joining the larger branch. Leaf venation is evident above and below, but raised and more noticeable below. Net veins easily seen. Veins creamy green, contrasting with the darker leaf colour.
Flowers and fruit
White flowers form on panicles from January to July. The fruit is a fawnish brown capsule, around 2 cm in diameter. One reddish brown seed in each of the one to five cells. Ripening between November and March. The fruit is bird attracting.[4] Fresh seed is advised for regeneration.
Timber
A well regarded Mahogany timber, suited to cabinet work, carving and boat building. Reddish brown and easily worked.[5] Sapwood is creamy pink.[6] Not resistant to termites.[7] There is concern of inhaling wood dust from this tree.[8]
Red Bean, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
References
- ^ http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=in&name=Dysoxylum~mollissimum+subsp.~molle
- ^ Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 2008, ISBN 9780958943673 page 220
- ^ http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=in&name=Dysoxylum~mollissimum+subsp.~molle
- ^ http://www.cedarworks.com.au/red_bean.html
- ^ * Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 2008, ISBN 9780958943673 page 220
- ^ http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_5445.htm
- ^ http://www.cedarworks.com.au/red_bean.html
- ^ http://www.ubeaut.com.au/badwood.htm
- Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 2008, ISBN 9780958943673 page 220
- http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=in&name=Dysoxylum~mollissimum
Categories:- Meliaceae
- Flora of New South Wales
- Flora of Queensland
- Trees of Australia
- Sapindales of Australia
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