Callitris gracilis
| Callitris gracilis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Callitris |
| Species: | C. gracilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Callitris gracilis R.Baker
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Callitris gracilis subsp. murrayensis (J.Garden) K.D.Hill | |
Callitris gracilis, commonly known as slender cypress-pine is a conifer in the family Cupressaceae, native to southern Australia.
Description
It is a broad conical tree growing up to 20 m high.[2] The leaves are reduced to tiny scales, which clasp the flexible green stems.[3] It is monoecious, with the tiny male and female cones occurring on the same tree. The male cones are capable of shedding huge clouds of pollen in winter.[3] The mature woody globe-shaped cone is 2.5-4 cm in diameter, with six thick valvate scales that open at maturity to release papery-winged seeds.[4] The cones may persist on the tree for many years, and each one can hold up to 30 seeds.[5]
Taxonomy
Callitris gracilis was formerly included in Callitris preissii, but that name is now restricted to plants from the Perth area.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Callitris gracilis can be found in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.[5]
Ecology
Several species of parrot eat the seeds in the maturing cones.[3]
Uses
Indigenous people from some areas use the foliage to make infusions for the relief of coughs and colds, and to make smoke medicine.[5]
The tree was highly prized by European settlers for its straight trunk and termite-resistant wood.[3]
In cultivation they make attractive feature trees for large gardens or parks.[6] Seed should be stratified before sowing in late winter.[5] Once established, it becomes a long-lived and hardy evergreen tree.[3]
References
- ^ "Callitris gracilis R.T.Baker". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ a b "Callitris gracilis". VicFlora. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Bagust, Phil; Tout-Smith, Lynda (2010). The Native Plants of Adelaide (2nd ed.). Wakefield Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-86254-879-4.
- ^ Prescott, Ann (2012). It's Blue With Five Petals - Wildflowers of the Adelaide Region (2nd ed.). Ann Prescott. p. 376. ISBN 978-0-646-59298-5.
- ^ a b c d Bonney, Neville (2021). From One Small Seed a Forest is Born. South Australia: Neville Bonney. p. 172. ISBN 978-0-6483900-3-9.
- ^ "Callitris gracilis" (PDF). Urrbrae Wetland Learning Centre. Retrieved 24 June 2023.