Bumpy ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bumpy ash |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Flindersia
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| Species: |
schottiana
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The Bumpy Ash, also known as cudgerie or silver ash, is a type of rainforest tree. Its scientific name is Flindersia schottiana. This tree belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits.
Bumpy Ash trees are found naturally in New Guinea and eastern Australia. They have special leaves that look like feathers, with many small leaflets. Their white flowers grow in clusters, and their woody fruits have rough bumps on them.
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What Does Bumpy Ash Look Like?
The Bumpy Ash is a tall tree that can grow up to 36 meters (about 118 feet) high. Its leaves are arranged in pairs and can be quite long, from 19 to 40 centimeters (about 7.5 to 15.7 inches).
Each leaf has about ten to sixteen smaller leaflets. These leaflets are shaped like narrow eggs or ellipses. They are usually 7 to 16 centimeters (about 2.7 to 6.3 inches) long and 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters (about 0.6 to 1.8 inches) wide.
Flowers of the Bumpy Ash
The flowers of the Bumpy Ash are white and grow in large, branched clusters called panicles. These clusters can be 20 to 27 centimeters (about 7.9 to 10.6 inches) long. Each flower has five small sepals (leaf-like parts that protect the bud) and five white petals.
Bumpy Ash trees typically bloom from August to December.
Bumpy Ash Fruit and Seeds
After flowering, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a type of capsule, which means it splits open when ripe. The fruit is quite large, measuring 8 to 13 centimeters (about 3.1 to 5.1 inches) long.
The surface of the fruit is covered with rough, bumpy points, which is how the tree gets its common name, "Bumpy Ash." When the fruit opens, it releases winged seeds that are about 5 to 6 centimeters (about 2 to 2.4 inches) long.
How Bumpy Ash Got Its Name
The Bumpy Ash, Flindersia schottiana, was first officially described in 1862. This was done by a famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in his book Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Mueller found specimens of this tree near the Hastings River in New South Wales, Australia. The second part of its scientific name, schottiana, was chosen to honor Mueller's friend, Heinrich Wilhelm Schott.
Where Does Bumpy Ash Grow?
Bumpy Ash trees grow in rainforests. They can be found from sea level up to an altitude of 800 meters (about 2,625 feet).
These trees are native to New Guinea. In Australia, they grow from the Claudie River in the Iron Range National Park in far north Queensland, all the way down to the Hastings River in New South Wales.
Is Bumpy Ash Protected?
The Bumpy Ash is currently classified as a species of "least concern" by the Queensland Government. This means it is not considered to be at high risk of disappearing. This classification is under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
