Queensland silver ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland silver ash |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Flindersia
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| Species: |
bourjotiana
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The Queensland silver ash (scientific name: Flindersia bourjotiana) is a type of tree. It is also known as the northern silver ash or white ash. This tree is special because it is only found in Queensland, Australia.
It has leaves that look like feathers, with smaller leaves (called leaflets) growing opposite each other. These leaflets are long and oval-shaped. The tree also has greenish-white flowers that grow in bunches, and its fruit is covered in short, rough bumps.
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What Does Queensland Silver Ash Look Like?
The Queensland silver ash is a tall tree. It can grow as tall as 35 meters (about 115 feet)! Its leaves are made up of 4 to 8 smaller leaves, called leaflets. These leaflets are usually 55 to 170 millimeters (about 2 to 6.7 inches) long and 15 to 48 millimeters (about 0.6 to 1.9 inches) wide.
The tree's flowers grow in large bunches called panicles. These bunches can be 120 to 240 millimeters (about 4.7 to 9.4 inches) long. Each flower has five small green parts (sepals) and five white or greenish-white petals. The petals are about 5 to 9.5 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches) long.
Queensland silver ash trees usually flower from April to November. After flowering, they produce a fruit called a capsule. This capsule is 70 to 150 millimeters (about 2.8 to 5.9 inches) long and has short, rough bumps on it. When the fruit is ripe, it splits into five parts, releasing seeds that have "wings" on both ends. These wings help the seeds fly away in the wind.
How Was This Tree Named?
The Queensland silver ash was first officially described in 1875. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it its scientific name, Flindersia bourjotiana. He wrote about it in a book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Where Does Queensland Silver Ash Grow?
This tree grows in rainforests. You can find it from sea level up to 1,100 meters (about 3,600 feet) high. Its home stretches from the McIvor River (near Mount Webb National Park) all the way to Rockingham Bay in far north Queensland.
Is Queensland Silver Ash Safe?
The Queensland Government has a list of how safe different plants are. The Queensland silver ash is listed as being of "least concern." This means there are plenty of these trees, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing. This classification is under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
