Lophostemon

Taxobox
name = "Lophostemon"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Lophostemon confertus"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Lophostemon"
genus_authority = Schott
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Lophostemon" is a genus of 4 species of evergreen tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. They are native to Australia and New Guinea. The genus is a relatively recent creation; all 4 species were previously included in the related genus "Tristania".

The most well-known species, "L. confertus" is a familiar tree to many people living along the east coast of Australia, where it known colloquially as the brush box. Quite frequently, it has been planted as a street tree, a role it isn't suited for as it grows to 30 metres in height and quite often suffers lopping due to obstructing overhead power lines.

"Lophostemon" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including "Aenetus ligniveren".

Species include:
*"Lophostemon confertus" (Brush Box, Queensland Box, Brisbane Box)
*"Lophostemon grandiflorus" (Northern Swamp Box)
*"Lophostemon lactifluus"
*"Lophostemon suaveolens" (Swamp Turpentine, Swamp Box)

References

*cite web |url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=LOPHOSTEMON|title= Lophostemon |accessdate=2007-10-05 |format= |work= Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database|author = Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra