Medicosma heterophylla facts for kids

Medicosma heterophylla is a type of small tree. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus fruits like oranges. This special tree is found only in a small area of far north Queensland, Australia. It has interesting leaves that can be simple (one leaf blade) or trifoliate (three leaflets). Its flowers are usually cream-colored, but can also be pink or reddish. They grow alone or in small groups where the leaves meet the stem.

About This Tree

Medicosma heterophylla is a small tree. It can grow up to about 7 meters (23 feet) tall. Its leaves are quite unique. Some leaves are simple, meaning they have one oval-shaped blade. These simple leaves are about 38 to 70 millimeters (1.5 to 2.8 inches) long. They are also about 18 to 30 millimeters (0.7 to 1.2 inches) wide. Each simple leaf has a small stalk called a petiole, which is 2 to 15 millimeters long.

Leaf Types

Other leaves on the same tree are trifoliate. This means they have three separate leaflets attached to one stalk. The stalk for these trifoliate leaves is longer, about 15 to 60 millimeters (0.6 to 2.4 inches) long. Each of the three leaflets is oval-shaped. They measure about 35 to 80 millimeters (1.4 to 3.1 inches) long. They are also about 13 to 30 millimeters (0.5 to 1.2 inches) wide.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of Medicosma heterophylla grow either by themselves or in small groups. These groups are usually up to 12 millimeters (0.5 inches) long. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is only 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters long. The green parts at the base of the flower, called sepals, are about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long. They are smooth and have no hairs.

The flower petals are cream-colored. They can also be pink or reddish. These petals are about 3 to 4 millimeters long. The back of the petals is covered with soft hairs. These hairs lie flat against the surface. This tree usually flowers from February to July. After flowering, it produces a fruit called a follicle. This fruit is about 4.5 to 5 millimeters long.

How It Was Named

Medicosma heterophylla was first officially described in 1985. This was done by a scientist named Thomas Gordon Hartley. He wrote about it in a science journal called the Australian Journal of Botany. The plant samples he used were collected in 1994. They were found by Paul Irwin Forster near Pinnacle Rock, close to Mossman in Queensland.

Where It Lives

This type of medicosma tree grows in special places. It lives in rainforests and cloud forests. These forests are found at high altitudes. They are usually between 650 and 1000 meters (2,130 and 3,280 feet) above sea level. You can find this tree along Roaring Meg Creek and near Karnak. Both of these places are in far north Queensland.

Conservation Status

The Queensland Government has a law called the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Under this law, Medicosma heterophylla is classified as being of "least concern." This means that the plant is not currently at risk of disappearing. It has a healthy population in its natural habitat.