Elaeocarpus ferruginiflorus facts for kids

Elaeocarpus ferruginiflorus is a type of flowering plant found only in north-east Queensland, Australia. It belongs to the plant family Elaeocarpaceae. This tree is known for its five-petaled white flowers and dark bluish-grey fruit.

About the Rusty-Haired Quandong Tree

The Elaeocarpus ferruginiflorus is a small to medium-sized tree. It can grow between 8 and 20 meters (about 26 to 65 feet) tall. Sometimes, it has special roots called buttress roots at its base. These roots look like wide, flat supports, helping the tree stay stable.

What the Tree Looks Like

When the tree is young, its new leaves and shoots are covered in thick, rust-colored hairs. This is where its name, ferruginiflorus, comes from, meaning "rusty-flowered."

• Leaves: The leaves are shaped like an ellipse or an egg, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. They are about 3.5 to 6 centimeters (1.4 to 2.4 inches) long and 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1.4 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stem called a petiole, which is about 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.

• Flowers: The flowers grow in groups of up to ten. They are found on a main stalk called a rachis, which is 2 to 5 centimeters (0.8 to 2 inches) long. Each flower sits on a tiny stem called a pedicel, about 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long. The flowers themselves are covered in fuzzy, reddish-brown hairs.
  • They have five sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) long.
  • There are also five thick, white petals, each about 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. Sometimes, the tips of the petals have tiny, unclear teeth.
  • Inside the flower, there are forty stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen.
• Fruit: This tree mainly flowers in January. Its fruit appears from July to October. The fruit is a round or oval-shaped drupe, which is a fleshy fruit with a hard pit inside, like a peach. It is dark bluish-grey, about 1.7 centimeters (0.7 inches) long and 1.1 centimeters (0.4 inches) wide.

How This Tree Got Its Name

The scientific name Elaeocarpus ferruginiflorus was first officially described in 1933. A scientist named Cyril Tenison White gave it this name. He studied plant samples collected from Mount Bellenden Ker in Queensland.

Where Does the Rusty-Haired Quandong Live?

This tree grows in tropical rainforests. It prefers higher places, found at altitudes between 600 and 1550 meters (about 1,970 to 5,085 feet) above sea level. You can only find Elaeocarpus ferruginiflorus in a specific area of Queensland. This area stretches from Cedar Bay National Park down to Hinchinbrook Island.

Is the Rusty-Haired Quandong in Danger?

Good news! The Queensland Government lists this quandong as being of "least concern." This means it is not currently considered to be at risk of disappearing. This status is under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Growing the Rusty-Haired Quandong

This tree is sometimes grown in gardens or special plant collections. It is a small tree that grows slowly. Its new leaves, with their unique rusty color, make it an interesting plant to look at.