Alphitonia excelsa was first described by Eduard Fenzl and reclassified by George Bentham. One of 20 species of the genus Alphitonia in Australia and the Pacific Islands, its specific epithet is derived from the Latinexcelsus meaning 'tall'.[1] Other common names include red almond,[2] silver leaf,[2] leatherjacket, white leaf, white myrtle, sarsaparilla tree, and coopers wood.
Description
Leaves and flower buds
This tree reaches a height of 7–25 metres (23–82 ft), by 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) across.[3] The red ash has a spreading shade-producing habit when a larger tree with an overall greyish green appearance. The alternate leaves measure 5–14 cm (2–5.5 in) in length and 2–5 cm (1–2 in) wide and are dark glossy green above and silvery with fine hairs underneath, making an attractive contrast on windy days. The trunk and larger branches bear fissured grey bark, while smaller branches have smoother grey or white bark. It bears small greenish white flowers in late autumn and early winter, followed by globular dark fruit around 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in diameter,[4] which contain two seeds. When young shoots are bruised, they give off a typical odour of sarsaparilla.[5] The flowers are fragrant in the evening.[3]
It serves as a food plant for the caterpillars of the moonlight jewel (Hypochrysops delicia),[7] and the caterpillars of the small green-banded blue (Psychonotis caelius taygetus).[8]
Uses
Trees are quick growing in cultivation.[4] This is an Australian ornamental tree, with some specimens of high visual appeal.[4] It may be used in amenity planting as a street tree providing shelter.[2] It has also been used in boat-building and cabinet making, its tough timber a light red or brown in colour.[3][4] It can be a fodder plant for sheep and cattle, and is a useful pioneer species in bush regeneration.[9]Indigenous Australians used the leaves as a soap due to the plant’s high saponin content.[10]
References
^Simpson DP (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5th ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. p. 883. ISBN0-304-52257-0.
^ abcEliot RW, Jones DL, Blake T (1985). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Vol. 2. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 176. ISBN0-85091-143-5.
^Fisher, Robert (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Butterflies. Chipping Norton, New South Wales: Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Limited. p. 254. ISBN0-949324-52-3.
^"Soap Tree". Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre. 2020-02-24. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
Cited text
de Beuzeville WAW (1947). Australian Trees for Australian Planting. Sydney: Forestry Commission of New South Wales/ A. H. Pettifer, Government Printer.
