Hollandaea facts for kids

Hollandaea is a group of four types of trees found only in the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia. These special trees are part of the plant family called Proteaceae. They are unique because they grow naturally only in this specific area.

Discovering and Naming Hollandaea

Scientists officially described the Hollandaea group of trees in 1887. A German-Australian botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave them their name. He chose to honor Sir Henry Holland, who was an important government official at the time.

Later, other botanists studied these trees more closely. They looked at the unusual fruits of Hollandaea trees. Based on their studies, they decided that Hollandaea was closely related to another group of trees called Helicia. Both of these groups are part of a larger plant family called Proteaceae.

Types of Hollandaea Trees

There are four known types, or species, of Hollandaea trees:

• Hollandaea sayeriana
• Hollandaea riparia
• Hollandaea diabolica
• Hollandaea porphyrocarpa

Where Hollandaea Trees Grow

Each type of Hollandaea tree grows in specific parts of the Queensland rainforests.

Hollandaea sayeriana

Hollandaea sayeriana is a small tree. It grows naturally only around Mount Bellenden Ker, Mount Bartle Frere, and the eastern Atherton Tableland. These trees grow under the taller trees in the rainforest, from lowlands up to about 800 metres (2,600 feet) high. As of 2013, this species was considered "near threatened." This means it could become endangered if its habitat is not protected.

Hollandaea riparia

Hollandaea riparia is a type of shrub or small tree. Its name, riparia, means "of the riverbank." This is because it grows only along riverbanks and streams in rainforests. It is a special kind of plant called a rheophyte, which means it can live in fast-flowing water. Scientists have found it only in a small area of the Daintree Rainforest. As of 2013, this species was listed as "vulnerable." This means it is at high risk of becoming endangered.

Hollandaea diabolica and Hollandaea porphyrocarpa

Scientists only officially recognized Hollandaea diabolica and Hollandaea porphyrocarpa as new species in 2012. They were first found in the early 1990s in the mountains west and northwest of Mossman, Queensland. A group of trees similar to H. diabolica was later found south of Mount Bellenden Ker. However, these trees did not have flowers or fruits, so scientists need to study them more. More fieldwork will help scientists understand exactly where these two species grow naturally.