Logan apple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Logan apple |
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| Acronychia imperforata in the ANBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acronychia
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| Species: |
imperforata
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The Acronychia imperforata, often called Logan apple, Fraser Island apple, or green tree, is a special type of shrub or small tree. It grows naturally only in certain parts of north-eastern Australia. This plant has simple, oval-shaped leaves, small groups of yellowish or creamy white flowers, and juicy, round or oval fruits.
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What Does the Logan Apple Look Like?
The Logan apple is a shrub or a small tree that usually grows to be about 9–10 m (30–33 ft) tall. Its leaves grow in pairs, one across from the other. They are smooth and shaped like an oval or an egg, with the narrower part at the bottom. These leaves are about 33–133 mm (1.3–5.2 in) long and 16–60 mm (0.63–2.36 in) wide. Each leaf has a small stem called a petiole, which is about 3–25 mm (0.12–0.98 in) long.
The flowers of the Logan apple are yellowish or creamy white. They grow in small clusters called cymes in the leaf axils (the spot where a leaf joins the stem). These clusters are about 20–50 mm (0.79–1.97 in) long. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is about 1.5–4.5 mm (0.059–0.177 in) long.
Each flower has four sepals, which are like small green leaves that protect the bud. These sepals are about 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) wide. It also has four petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower, about 5.5–9 mm (0.22–0.35 in) long. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens (the parts that make pollen) that are different lengths.
You can see Logan apple flowers almost all year round. The fruit is fleshy and yellowish. It can be shaped like a pear or be mostly round. These fruits are about 9–16 mm (0.35–0.63 in) long and contain seeds that are about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long. The fruit is a type of drupe, which means it has a fleshy outer part and a hard pit or stone inside, like a peach or cherry.
How the Logan Apple Got Its Name
The scientific name for the Logan apple, Acronychia imperforata, was first officially written down in 1858. This was done by a famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He described the plant in his book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Where Does the Logan Apple Grow?
The Logan apple grows in rainforest areas close to the coast. You can find it from Somerset on Cape York in north-eastern Queensland all the way down to Seal Rocks in New South Wales.
Is the Logan Apple Safe?
Good news! The Logan apple is not considered to be in danger. The Queensland Government has classified it as being of "least concern" under their Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means there are plenty of these plants around, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
