Onionwood
Street planting in Cairns
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Syzygium
Species:
S. alliiligneum
Binomial name
Syzygium alliiligneum

Syzygium alliiligneum, commonly known as onionwood, Mission Beach satinash or bark in the wood is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to a small part of north eastern Queensland.

Description

Syzygium alliiligneum is a large rainforest tree growing up to 35 m (115 ft) in height in natural forest habitats,[4] but in cultivation may only reach 15 m (49 ft).[5][6] The trunk may be fluted and may have buttresses,[4] and the exposed bark is papery and usually pale grey, while newly-exposed bark is pale pink or orange.[5][7]

The foliage is glossy, dark green above and lighter green below. Individual leaves are arranged in opposing pairs on the twigs and measure up to 12 by 6 cm (4.7 by 2.4 in).[7][8] They are broadly elliptic to obovate with an acuminate tip.[8]

Inflorescences are terminal or axillary panicles, produced from February to April, with white to cream flowers about 2 cm (0.8 in) across.[4][5]

The fruits are more or less globular red to pink berries measuring up to 40 by 40 mm (1.6 by 1.6 in) containing a single large seed. They ripen from May to October.[4][5][7][8]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described by Bernard "Bernie" Hyland and published in the Australian Journal of Botany in 1983. The holotype was collected by Hyland in 1972 beside the Palmerston Highway west of Innisfail.[2][7]

Etymology

The genus name Syzygium comes from the Greek word syzgos, meaning "jointed" and is a reference to the paired leaves displayed by members of the genus. The species epithet alliiligneum is derived from the Latin allium, for "garlic", and lignum, for "wood". Cross-sections of the trunk shows onion-like rings of bark in the wood.[4][9][10]

Distribution and habitat

Syzygium alliiligneum is endemic to coastal rainforested areas of north east Queensland, from Cape Tribulation in the north to Tully in the south. It is mostly found from sea level up to around 350 m (1,150 ft),[4] and occasionally up to 700 m (2,300 ft).[7][6]

Ecology

The fruits of onionwood are eaten by cassowaries,[7][9] who are probably the only dispersal agent for the species. They are also edible by humans, although sour.[6][8]

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern.[1] As of 16 November 2023, it has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Cultivation

About 60 trees of this species have been planted as street trees in various parts of Cairns.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Species profile—Syzygium alliiligneum". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Syzygium alliiligneum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Syzygium alliiligneum B.Hyland". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 358. ISBN 9780958174213.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Jones, David L. (1986). Rainforest Plants of Australia. Bowgowlah, NSW, Australia: Reed Books. p. 74. ISBN 0-7301-0381-1.
  6. 1 2 3 Fern, Ken. "Syzygium alliiligneum". Useful Tropical Plants. Ken Fern. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Syzygium alliiligneum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Syzygium Tree Species, Native Australian Tree Identification". All Creative Designs. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Syzygium alliiligneum". Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. New South Wales government. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Syzygium alliiligneum (Onionwood Satinash)" (PDF). Gympie District Landcare. Gympie & District Landcare. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "TreePlotter". Cairns Regional Council’s Street and Park Tree Database. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
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