Giant-leaved stenocarpus facts for kids

The giant leaf stenocarpus (scientific name: Stenocarpus cryptocarpus) is a special kind of tree. It belongs to the plant family called Proteaceae. You can only find this tree in certain rainforests in northeastern Queensland, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area, growing naturally nowhere else in the world. It's known for its huge young leaves, which can grow up to 115 centimeters (about 3.8 feet) long!

Discovering the Giant Leaf Stenocarpus

This amazing tree was first officially described in 1988. Two botanists, Don Foreman and Bernie Hyland, were the ones who studied it. They had collected samples of the tree from North Queensland. The giant leaf stenocarpus is one of 25 different tree species in the Stenocarpus group. These trees usually grow in rainforests in eastern Australia and New Caledonia.

What the Giant Leaf Stenocarpus Looks Like

This tree grows with a single trunk and can reach up to 25 meters (about 82 feet) tall. Its trunk often has wide, flat parts at the base called buttresses. These buttresses help support the tall tree.

Leaves of the Tree

Young trees have very unique leaves. These juvenile leaves are green and made up of many smaller parts, like a fern leaf. They can be incredibly long, reaching 115 centimeters (about 3.8 feet)! As the tree gets older, its leaves change. The adult leaves are much simpler and shaped like an oval. They are about 9 to 14 centimeters (3.5 to 5.5 inches) long. These adult leaves grow on stalks that are 3 to 8 centimeters (1.2 to 3.1 inches) long.

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers of the giant leaf stenocarpus grow in clusters that look like wheels. Each cluster has 20 to 30 individual flowers. They are white and smell very nice. These flowers look similar to those of a more famous relative, S. sinuatus, which is also known as the Firewheel Tree. After the flowers bloom, they turn into smooth seed pods. These pods are called follicles and can be 10 to 13 centimeters (about 4 to 5 inches) long.

Where the Giant Leaf Stenocarpus Grows

The giant leaf stenocarpus lives in wet rainforests. It can be found from sea level all the way up to 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) in altitude. It often grows as a canopy tree, meaning it's one of the tallest trees that forms the top layer of the forest. You can find this tree in specific areas of northeastern Queensland. These areas are between Mount Bartle Frere and a place called Big Tableland in the McDowell Ranges.