Biology:Callitris gracilis
| Callitris gracilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Callitris |
| Species: | C. gracilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Callitris gracilis R.Baker
| |
Callitris gracilis, commonly known as native pine or slender cypress pine is a conifer in the family Cupressaceae, native to southern Australia.
Description
It is a broad conical tree growing up to 20m high.[1] The leaves are reduced to tiny structures which clasp the flexible green stems.[2] The tiny male and female flower structures occur on the same tree, with the male flowers capable of shedding huge clouds of pollen in winter.[2] The fruit is a woody globe-shaped cone, 2.5 - 4 cm diameter, with six thick segments that open at maturity to release papery-winged seeds.[3] The cones may persist on the tree for many years, and each one can hold up to 30 seeds.[4]
Taxonomy
Callitris gracilis was formerly included in Callitris preissii, but that name is now restricted to plants from the Perth area.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Callitris gracilis can be found in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.[4]
Ecology
Several species of parrot eat the maturing fruits.[2]
Uses
Indigenous people from some areas use the foliage to make infusions for the relief of coughs and colds, and to make smoke medicine.[4]
The tree was highly prized by European settlers for its straight trunk and termite-resistant wood.[2]
In cultivation they make attractive feature trees for large gardens or parks.[5] Seed should be stratified before sowing in late winter.[4] Once established, it becomes a long-lived and hardy evergreen tree.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Callitris gracilis". https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/bcfabb75-9e72-486b-b7ab-75894375fafb.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Bagust, Phil; Tout-Smith, Lynda (2010). The Native Plants of Adelaide (2nd ed.). Wakefield Press. pp. 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. pp. 376. ISBN 978-0-646-59298-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bonney, Neville (2021). From One Small Seed a Forest is Born. South Australia: Neville Bonney. pp. 172. ISBN 978-0-6483900-3-9.
- ↑ "Callitris gracilis". https://www.urrbraewetlandlc.org/uploads/9/8/6/1/9861225/callitris_gracillis.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q15040901 entry
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