Crow's ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crow's ash |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Flindersia
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| Species: |
australis
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Flindersia australis, often called Crow's Ash, Flindosy, or Australian Teak, is a special tree found only in north-eastern Australia. It has leaves with many smaller leaflets, white or cream-colored flowers, and woody seed pods. These pods are bumpy and hold seeds that have wings, helping them fly away.
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About the Crow's Ash Tree
The Crow's Ash tree can grow very tall, sometimes up to 40 meters (about 130 feet)! Bigger trees often have a wide, strong base called a buttressed trunk. This helps them stand firm.
Its leaves usually grow in a pattern where smaller leaflets branch off a main stem. This is called a pinnate leaf. There are usually five to nine of these small leaflets on each leaf. They are shaped like an egg or an oval, and they can be from 2.4 to 13 centimeters long and 0.8 to 4.3 centimeters wide.
The flowers of the Crow's Ash grow in clusters called panicles at the ends of the branches. These clusters are usually 5 to 15 centimeters long. Each flower has five small green parts called sepals (about 2 millimeters long) and five white or cream-colored petals (6 to 7 millimeters long). The petals are very fuzzy on the outside.
Crow's Ash trees bloom from September to October. After the flowers, a woody seed pod forms. This pod is called a capsule. It's usually 4.5 to 10 centimeters long and has short, rough bumps all over it. Inside, the seeds are 3.4 to 5 centimeters long and have wings, which helps them spread.
Naming the Crow's Ash
The scientific name for Crow's Ash, Flindersia australis, was first officially described in 1814. This was done by a botanist named Robert Brown. He wrote about it in a book about Matthew Flinders' sea journey called A Voyage to Terra Australis. Brown found samples of the tree near a place called Broad Sound in Queensland in 1802.
Where Crow's Ash Grows
Crow's Ash trees grow in rainforests and dry scrub areas. You can find them in Australia, from near Airlie Beach in Queensland, all the way inland to Carnarvon National Park. They also grow south into New South Wales, near a town called Kempsey.
Is Crow's Ash Endangered?
The good news is that Flindersia australis is not considered endangered. The Queensland Government lists it as being of "least concern" under their Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means there are plenty of these trees around, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
