Choricarpia leptopetala
Encyclopedia
Choricarpia leptopetala is a common Australian tree, growing from Stanwell Park (34° S) in the northern Illawarra
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...

 district to near Buderim (26° S) in south eastern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...

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Common names include Brown Myrtle, Never-break, Brush Turpentine and Rusty Turpentine. The habitat of Choricarpia leptopetala is rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...

 on the poorer sedimentary soils, near streams. It is also seen in moist eucalyptus areas on ridges. It may be identified by the greyish fawn colour under the leaf, and rusty hairy branchlets.

Description

Choricarpia leptopetala is a small tree, occasionally reaching 20 metres in height and a 35 cm in trunk diameter. The tree has attractive displays of cream flowers and appealing foliage.

The bark is a greyish brown, relatively soft, flaky or corky. The trunk is somewhat fluted and irregular. Larger Choricarpia leptopetala are flanged at the base.

The leaves are opposite, simple and entire. Broad with a fine leaf tip. Around 5 to 13 cm long. The edges of the leaves are curled over and wavy. A mid green above, but a greyish fawny green underneath. The midrib is sunken on the top surface, but venation is prominent under the leaf. Near the wavy leaf edge, is an intramarginal vein, not always easily seen. The underside of the leaf is covered in tiny hairs.

Flowers are small. Cream or white, densely together in globular heads, appearing in July to September. From a distance, flowers resemble the Callicoma
Callicoma
Callicoma, is a plant genus that contains just one species, Callicoma serratifolia , a tall shrub or small tree which is native to Australia.-Description:...

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The fruit matures from August to November, being mostly a two celled capsule, around 13 mm in diameter. Fresh seed is recommended for germination. Cuttings are not a successful method of regeneration.
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