Alphitonia whitei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alphitonia whitei
Scientific classification
Genus:	Alphitonia
Species:	whitei

Alphitonia whitei is a type of flowering tree that belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. This tree is special because it is only found in Queensland, Australia. People in Australia call it by different names like red ash, red almond, or sarsaparilla. If you break a twig or a leaf from this tree, you might smell a scent like sarsaparilla or a medical liniment.

What is the Red Ash Tree?

The Red Ash is a small to medium-sized tree that grows in tropical rainforests. It can be found in many different places, from close to the coast up to mountains 1,200 meters high. This tree can grow up to 20 meters tall, which is about the height of a six-story building. Its trunk can be as wide as 30 centimeters.

Where Does the Red Ash Live?

Unlike some other trees in its group, the Red Ash likes to grow in shady spots where there isn't much sunlight. You'll often see it inside the rainforest or along its edges, rather than in very bright, open areas.

What Do the Leaves Look Like?

The leaves of the Red Ash tree are quite interesting. When they first start to grow, they have small leaf-like parts called stipules at their base, which later fall off. The stems of the leaves have a groove on their top side.

How Big Are the Leaves?

Each leaf can grow quite large, up to 21 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide. The top side of the leaf is a shiny green, while the underside is whitish and has clear veins. Young branches of the tree are covered in soft, reddish-brown hairs.

Flowers and Fruit of the Red Ash

The Red Ash tree produces its flowers between September and November. These flowers are small, about 5 millimeters across, and have cream to pale green petals.

What About the Fruit?

The fruit of the Red Ash tree grows between January and April. They are round and black, usually 6 to 10 millimeters wide. The inside of the fruit is not powdery when it's ripe. Many animals enjoy eating these fruits, including fig parrots and the large cassowary birds.

Who Eats the Leaves?

The leaves of the Red Ash are also a food source for some unique Australian animals. These include the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, the green ringtail possum, and the Herbert River ringtail possum.

Uses and Discovery

The Red Ash tree produces a type of wood that is useful for many general purposes. It's known for being quite dense.

Special Chemicals in the Tree

Scientists have found a special chemical called Betulinic acid in the leaves, wood, and bark of the Red Ash tree. This chemical is studied for its potential uses.

When Was it Discovered?

The Red Ash tree was first described in scientific books in 1932 by a botanist named K.W. Braid. The first samples of this tree, called "type specimens," were collected near Jordan Creek (close to Innisfail) and near the Barron River (close to Kuranda). One of these samples was collected by another famous botanist, F.M. Bailey.