Tree Leaves, Tree Bark, Tree Flowers & Fruit Identification Web Page Australia Page 11

Tree Page 11 T - V

Tree Leaves, Tree Bark, Tree Flowers & Fruit Identification Web Page Australia

Identification of native Australian tree species using leaf, bark, flower and fruit characteristics is explained in detail. Presenting quality images and descriptions of rainforest species and other native trees along Australia's east coast. The natural distribution range and special features useful in identification are given for every specimen listed on the web page below. All Creative Designs Nambucca & Coffs Harbour® presents native Australian tree images for website design, presentation and identification purposes. Please note all images are copyright and only to be used for non-business purposes. (see copyrights) You are welcome to Contact Us with any questions or feedback regarding Australian tree species and queries regarding commercial use of photos. The rainforest tree image web page below is constantly extended, revised and updated. We aim to build up the awareness to the high conservation values Australian rainforest areas deserve.
Identification tree pictures are ordered by most used common name in alphabetical order, see page links below.
Tree Pages: 1 A - Bo \| 2 Bo - Br \| 3 C - D \| 4 E - Euca \| 5 F - Figs \| 6 F - G \| 7 H - M \| 8 N - P \| 9 R - S \| 10 S - Syz \| 11 T - V \| 12 W - Z
See our Leaf Characteristic Page for explanations on leaf and vegetative characteristics mentioned in descriptions to the right. Know what you are looking for; use our species list with links to relevant tree images and descriptions. JPG format thumbnail images are 180 x 135px (vertical 135 x 180 px) web optimised. JPG full size images are 800 x 600 px web optimzed (vertical 600 x 800 px). All images and descriptions copyright © 2007 - 2012 by All Creative Designs® worldwide rights reserved. Click thumbnail images to view full size pictures.	Leaf Characteristics Page Flower Characteristics Page Species List Common & Botanical Reference Resources Back to Gallery

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Image 5

Tall Geebung Persoonia media
Depending on conditions Tall Gebbung can be small sized tree up to 12m or an upright growing shrub with a sparsely foliated canopy (Images 1 & 2 ).
Bark on mature specimens is scaly and fissured compared to the smoother texture on immature trees, the colour varies from grey to brown (3). Olive shaped (ovoid) fruit is up to 15mm long, green yellowish in colour when ripe and contains a single pale brown and hard seed (4). Simple alternate leaves are; up to 10 cm long with entire margins, mostly elliptic in shape with an acute apex, hairless, fairly thin but firm, medium glossy on top and a lighter dull green colour beneath. Venation is very faint especially on lower surface, but upper surface mid vein and steep angled laterals are visible (5). Distribution: Within tall forests and on margins of rainforests from NSW central coast to southern QLD. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of terms used.

Tall Geebung

Persoonia media

Tall Geebung Bark

Tall Geebung Fruit

Tall Geebung Leaves

Tall Nightshade Solanum nobile
This native shrub grows to a height of up to 4m and occurs on margins of rainforests and within adjacent tall forests (Image 1). Bark is an olive green in colour with small blisters featuring scattered and very sharp spines up to 10 mm in length (2). Attractive purple coloured flowers are up to 3 cm across appearing in early spring (3). Young and older stems are covered in fine spines, petiole and leaves to a lesser degree (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 15 cm in length with deeply lobed margins, mid to dark green and semi glossy on top, paler more greyish green below due to very short hair. Apex is acute, base shape mostly rounded and often oblique. Venation is raised and very noticeable on lower surface with some smaller spines present (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to southern QLD. (Photo location: Upper Nambucca Valley)

Tall Nightshade

Tall Nightshade Bark

Tall Nightshade Flower

Solanum nobile Foliage

Tall Nightshade Leaves

Tamarinds

Cape Tamarind Diploglottis macrantha
Small tropical rainforest tree species up to 6 m with large compound leaves (Image 1). Bark is coloured different tones of grey with a hard and fairly smooth texture (2). Fruit is a yellowish to orange capsule with 3 or 4 lobes containing a seed covered in an orange aril (3). Large compound leaves consist of up to 16 leaflets which are up to 30 cm long, oblong to broad elliptical in shape and feature entire margins. Lower leaflet surfaces are a paler yellowish green colour with a reddish brown center vein (4 & 5).

Cape Tamarind Queensland

Tamarind QLD Trunk

Diploglottis macrantha Fruit

Cape Tamarind QLD

Cape Tamarind Leaflets

Native Tamarind Diploglottis australis
Tall slender subtropical rainforest tree occurring from the south coast of NSW to central QLD, often seen as regrowth due to extensive spreading of its seed by a range of birds (Image 1 & 2). Bark is firm and mostly smooth, dark grey in colour (White coating is due to lichen growth, image 3). Fruit turns from a yellow to an orange-brown colour when ripening and is eagerly sought by rainforest bird species (4). A compound leaf features up to 16 large leaflets which are mainly oblong in shape; up to 30 cm long with entire margins and a hairy underside (5). (See Leaf Characteristics Page for an explanation of definitions used.)

Native Tamarind

Diploglottis australis

Native Tamarind Bark

Diploglottis australis Fruit

Diploglottis australis Leaflets

Small-leaved Tamarind Diploglottis campbellii
This medium sized tree featuring a fluted trunk and a dense canopy is a very uncommon species with a small distribution range within subtropical rainforests (Image 1 & 2). Bark is coloured dark brown and mainly smooth in texture (3). Attractive and edible fruit is up to 80 mm wide and contains one to three seeds covered in orange-red aril (4). Compound leaves feature 4 to 8 leaflets which are; up to 15 cm long with wavy margins, mostly elliptic in shape, hairless, dark green and very glossy on top, paler but also shiny below with a smooth and soft texture. Apex is acute, base shape is cuneate and sometimes asymmetric. Venation is prominent on both surfaces (5). Distribution: From northern NSW to southern QLD.

Small-leaved Tamarind

Diploglottis campbellii

Small-leaved Tamarind Bark

Diploglottis campbellii Fruit

Diploglottis campbellii Leaf

Thin-leaved Coondoo Pouteria chartacea Other names: Thin-leaved Plum
The Thin-leaved Coondoo occurs naturally in coastal areas within subtropical or littoral rainforests and grows to 15m in height (Image 1). Bark is a brown in colour with a quite rough and fissured texture, making this a good identification feature when distinguishing between this species and the very similar Black Apple Pouteria australis when immature (2). In good light conditions the tree develops very dense and glossy foliage (3 & 4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 20 cm in length with entire margins, broadly oblanceolate in shape, hairless, fairly thin but firm and smooth in texture. Leaf apex is short acuminate or acute ending in a blunt tip, base gradually narrows into petiole which is up to 8mm long (5). Distribution: Northern NSW to central QLD.

Thin-leaved Coondoo Bark Pouteria chartacea

Pouteria chartacea Foliage Thin-leaved Coondoo

Thin-leaved Coondoo

Coondoo Bark

Pouteria chartacea Foliage

Thin-leaved Coondoo

Thin-leaved Coondoo Leaves

Three-veined Hakea Hakea archaeoides Other names: Big Nellie Hakea
The Three-veined Hakea Hakea archaeoides or Big Nellie Hakea is a large and uncommon native shrub which can reach a height of up to 7m under favourable conditions within wet sclerophyll forests (Image 1). Bark is a dark grey in colour with a rough and fissured texture on older trunks, smoother on younger specimens (2). Superb flowers amassed along a raceme of up to 8 cm in length are orange and vivid red in colour (3). The extremely hard and woody fruit splits in half when mature to expose only two black and papery winged seeds per follicle measuring up to 18mm in length (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; very long and narrow at more than 25 cm in length and only 25 mm wide, mostly narrow elliptic in shape with entire margins, hairless, mid-green and semi glossy on top, paler below, strong and rather stiff in texture. Leaf apex is acute, base shape is long attenuate. 3 to 7 elliptical veins (often 3 are more pronounced) are visible (5). Distribution: Coastal ranges in the lower part of the NSW mid-north coast (Threatened Species). See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Three-veined Hakea Bark Hakea archaeoides

Hakea archaeoides Flower Three-veined Hakea

Three-veined Hakea

Three-veined Hakea Bark

Hakea archaeoides Flower

Three-veined Hakea Fruit

Three-veined Hakea Leaves

Tree-Heath Trochocarpa laurina
Most of the time this species will occur as shrub in different rainforest environments and in adjacent open tall forests but under favourable conditions the Tree-Heath Trochocarpa laurina can grow into a small tree up to 10 m in height with a spreading habit (Image 1). Bark on older trees is deeply fissured with a soft corky texture (2). Cute small white flowers blossom mostly over summer and are arranged along spikes up to 8 cm in length (3). New growth can vary from pink to deep red in colour and is arranged in a whorl of three or four leaves around the growing bud, turning alternate thereafter. Simple leaves are; between 4 to 8 cm long with entire margins, elliptic in shape, hairless, smooth, firm and rather stiff in texture. Apex is acute and base shape is cuneate. Mostly five longitudinal veins are faintly visible (5). Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD.

Tree-Heath

Tree-Heath Bark

Tree-Heath Flower

Trochocarpa laurina

Tree-Heath Leaf Surfaces

Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides
Under favourable conditions Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides can reach a height of up to 20 m or more (Image 1). Bark is a light grey in colour with a fairly smooth and firm texture; older specimens develop some fine fissures at the base of the trunk (2). Small cream and yellow coloured flowers bloom over the winter months (3). Fruit develops into an orange-brown 3-lobed capsule containing 3 black and shiny seeds which are covered in a thin but firm and bright red coloured aril (4). Compound leaves with an alternate arrangement consist of 3 to 11 leaflets. Leaflets are; mostly oblong to narrow obovate in shape, up to 14 cm long with entire margins, dark green and hairless on upper surface, paler on lower surface with scattered fine brown hair on mid-vein, petiolules and petiole. Leaflets have a fairly firm, leathery texture and feature very prominent pulvinules. Apex is rounded and base shape is cuneate (5). (See Leaf Characteristics Page) Distribution: Mainly close to the coastline from NSW to to southern QLD. Notes: See also Brown Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis flagelliformis (Page 2).

Tuckeroo Flower Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Tuckeroo

Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Tuckeroo Flower

Tuckeroo Fruit

Tuckeroo Pulvinules

Tulipwood Harpullia pendula Other names: Corduroy
The Tulipwood or Corduroy Harpullia pendula is a medium sized native tree species growing up to 10m tall in open (full sunlight) locations whereas in its natural habitat of subtropical and littoral rainforests it can reach 20m or more in height (Image 1). Bark is a whitish grey in colour with a rather rough and fissured texture (2). The bright orange fruit measures up to 25 mm in length by 40 mm in width and has a characteristic flat part in between its 2 lobes, each splitting in half to reveal a shiny black seed (3). New growth in the dense foliage flushes in tones of pink to pale red with alternately arranged compound leaves featuring up to 10 leaflets which are; up to 14 cm in length with entire margins, oblong to more elliptic in shape, dark green and glossy on upper surface, paler green below, mostly hairless, rather thin and soft in texture. Leaflet apex is acute, base shape is rounded. Venation is very prominent with the mid vein being raised on both leaflet surfaces, where as lateral and net veins are sunken on upper and raised on lower surface giving the leaflet an undulating (curled) appearance (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to QLD. Due to its attractive appearance, hardiness and manageable size this species is often used as an ornamental street tree in northern NSW and southern QLD.

Tulipwood Bark Harpullia pendula Corduroy

Tulipwood Fruit Harpullia pendula Corduroy

Tulipwood

Tulipwood Bark

Tulipwood Fruit

Harpullia pendula 'newgrowth'

Tulipwood Leaf

Turnipwood Akania bidwillii
This interesting small under-storey tree species rarely reaches more than 10m in height and only grows within subtropical and warm temperate rainforests where it prefers low light and very moist conditions (Image 1). Bark on the slender and upright trunk is a reddish brown in colour with a fine scaly texture (2). The greyish colour of the foliage's underside is a distinctive feature in identification of this species (3). A pinnate compound leaf (adult tree) is made up of 30 or more separate leaflets. Leaflets are; more than 30 cm in length with sharp prickles extending from toothed margins, oblong to narrow oblanceolate in shape, dark glossy green on the upper surface, greyish beneath and very firm to stiff in texture. Leaflet apex is acute, base shape is rounded. Venation is clearly visible on both leaflet surfaces with lateral veins being very straight (4 & 5). Distribution: From the mid-north coast of NSW to QLD.

Turnipwood

Akania bidwillii Bark

Akania bidwillii Foliage

Turnipwood Leaf

Turnip Wood

Turpentine Tree Syncarpia glomulifera
This tall native species occurs in open forests and in transition zones along subtropical rainforests. Under favourable conditions the Turpentine tree Syncarpia glomulifera can reach up to 50 m in height (Image 1). Bark is reddish light brown in colour with a very stringy and fibrous texture (2). Gorgeous white flowers are globose in shape and measure up to 25 mm across, mostly 4 flowers are held on a separate stalks at end of branchlets (3). Very unusual shaped fruit is often found scattered around Turpentine trees and can aid in identification of this tree species (4). Simple leaves grow in a whorl arrangement beneath the growing tip ( opposite thereafter) and are; up to 10 cm long, mainly ovate in shape with entire margins, dark green and hairless on top, dull whitish hairy on their underside, firm thick and leathery. Leaf apex is acute, base shape is cuneate. Mid vein is raised and pronounced on lower leaf surface, laterals are rather faint ( 5). (See Leaf Characteristics Page for an explanation of definitions used.) Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD.

Turpentine Tree

Turpentine Bark

Turpentine Flower

Syncarpia glomulifera Fruit

Turpentine Leaves

Umbrella Cheese Tree Glochidion sumatranum Other names: Large-leaved Buttonwood
The Umbrella Cheese Tree or Large-leaved Buttonwood Glochidion sumatranum attains a height of up to 15m and is found in coastal rainforests (Image 1). Bark is brown in colour with a rough and flaky texture (2). Attractive new growth is salmon coloured and young branches are a vivid red (3). The ripe fruit is; flattened globular in shape with mostly 5 lobes, up to 12mm in diameter, yellowish green in colour and covered in fine hair (4). Neatly alternately arranged simple leaves are; up to 20 cm in length with entire margins, fairly glossy on top (right), paler and shiny beneath (left), hairless, rather thin and soft in texture. Apex is acute with a blunt point, base shape is rounded. Petiole is up to 5 mm long. Venation is clearly visible, mid vein raised on both surfaces, laterals prominent and curved (5). Distribution: NSW upper mid-north coast to central QLD. Note: Similar to the Cheese Tree Glochidion fernandi (See Page 3), differences in identification characteristics are; fruit is smooth not hairy, mature leaves are smaller and bark is more stringy not flaky.

Umbrella Cheese Tree Bark Glochidion sumatranum

Glochidion sumatranum Foliage Umbrella Cheese Tree

Umbrella Cheese Tree

Umbrella Cheese Tree Bark

Glochidion sumatranum

Umbrella Cheese Tree Fruit

Umbrella Cheese Tree Leaves

Umbrella Tree Schefflera actinophylla
In its natural habitat which are different types of tropical rainforests, the Umbrella tree often starts life as an epiphyte. The specimen shown is strangling a Long-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca leucadendron and is reaching up to a height of 35m, whereby free standing trees rarely reach 10m and are mostly multi trunked (Image 1). Bark is firm with horizontal ridges and blisters; colour is light grey (2). Red clustered fruit is fleshy and held on long branches up to 60 cm long (3). Large palmate compound leaves feature up to 15 leaflets which are; up to 25 cm long with entire margins, obovate to oblong in shape, glossy on top and hairless. Rounded leaf apex with a short sharp point, also called mucronate. The very solid petiole is up to 50 cm long (4 & 5). Distribution: Well known as a street / suburban tree species and now found invading subtropical rainforests from the NSW mid north coast to southern QLD. Original habitat is northern QLD.

Umbrella Tree Bark Schefflera actinophylla

Schefflera actinophylla Umbrella Tree Foliage

Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Tree Bark

Schefflera actinophylla

Umbrella Tree Fruit

Umbrella Tree Leaflets

Variable Muttonwood Myrsina variabilis Other names: Muttonwood
Variable Muttonwood or plain Muttonwood is a small tree reaching a height of up to 10m and can be found in different types of rainforests (Image 1). Bark is a grey undertone in colour with this specimen featuring soft, corky and reddish brown coloured blisters (2). Upper branches have a smoother bark texture. Flowering and setting of fruit occurs in abundance (3). Fruit develops in groups of up to 6 and is held on stalks (up to 15mm long) borne over all younger branches of the whole tree. Fruit changes colour to a light blue when ripening (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 9 cm in length with mostly entire margins, broad oblanceolate to obovate in shape, very glossy on their upper surface, thick and firm in texture. Leaf apex is rounded and except growing buds leaves are hairless (5). Distribution : NSW south coast to central QLD.

Myrsina variabilis Foliage Variable Muttonwood

Variable Muttonwood

Muttonwood Bark

Myrsina variabilis

Muttonwood Fruit

Variable Muttonwood Leaves

Veiny Graptophyllum Graptophyllum reticulatum Other names: Reticulated Holly
The Veiny Graptophyllum Graptophyllum reticulatum is a rare native shrub less than 5m in height originating in subtropical rainforests as an understorey species (Image 1) Older bark is grey in colour exposing a light brown underlayer after shedding with a rough and flaky texture (2). Masses of tubular shaped white flowers measure up to 12 mm in length and 8 mm in diameter blooming over winter and early spring (3 & 4). Simple oppositely arranged leaves are; up to 10 cm long, elliptic to ovate in shape with toothed margins topped by very sharp spines, hairless, dark green and glossy on top, paler and shiny below, firm and stiff in texture. Apex is acute with a terminal spine, base shape is rounded. Reticulate venation is clearly visible on both leaf surfaces (5). Distribution: Sunshine coast QLD.

Veiny Graptophyllum Bark Graptophyllum reticulatum

Veiny Graptophyllum

Veiny Graptophyllum Bark

Graptophyllum reticulatum

Veiny Graptophyllum Flower

Veiny Graptophyllum Leaves

Veiny Wilkiea Wilkiea huegeliana
This large native shrub or small tree to 8m in height occurs in a range of different forest types from within rainforests to tall open forests (Image 1). Bark is rather rough and brown at the base changing to a smoother texture and a dark green colour on younger branches or stems (2). Fruit is ovoid in shape and up to 18mm long, changing from light green to a dark blue colour when ripening. The swollen fruit receptacle turns to orange and is often left behind after the fruit has fallen (3 & 4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 14 cm in length with toothed margins featuring a hard tip, narrow to broad elliptic in shape, hairless with a smooth and stiff texture. Leaf apex is variable long acuminate or acute, fine or bluntly pointed. Venation is prominently raised and visible on lower surface (5). Distribution: NSW south coast to northern QLD.

Veiny Wilkiea

Veiny Wilkiea Bark

Veiny Wilkiea Fruit

Veiny Wilkiea Fruit 'ripe'

Veiny Wilkiea Leaf

Velvet Leaf Callicarpa pendunculata Other names: Callicarpa
The Velvet Leaf or Callicarpa Callicarpa pendunculata is a native shrub reaching up to 2m in height with multiple straggling stems arising from its' base and is mostly found on margins of subtropical rainforests and adjacent wet Sclerophyll forests (Picture 1). Bark on older stems is a greyish cream in colour with a finely rough texture (2). In autumn the fruit turns from green to a vivid purple making this otherwise inconspicuous shrub stand out in the undergrowth. The tiny berry measures only 2 to 3 mm in diameter and contains up to 5 very small and hard seeds (3). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 15 cm in length with finely toothed margins, ovate to broad lanceolate in shape, hairy on both leaf surfaces (more so on lower surface) thin with a very fine sandpapery texture (despite its name). Leaf apex shape is acute (gradually tapering) to attenuate (abruptly tapering) into a fine point, base shape is rounded. Venation is a good identification characteristic of this species when no fruit is present. Mid rib and lateral veins are brown in colour and finely hairy (short, brittle) on top. All veins including net veins are densely hairy (short, pale cream in colour) on lower leaf surface. Petiole up to 15 mm in length, young stems and growth buds are also short and furry hairy (Pictures 4 & 5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to northern QLD.

Callicarpa pendunculata Velvet Leaf Callicarpa

Callicarpa pendunculata Velvet Leaf Bark Callicarpa

Velvet Leaf Fruit Callicarpa pendunculata

Velvet Leaf

Callicarpa Bark

Velvet Leaf Fruit

Callicarpa pendunculata

Velvet Leaf Leaves

We attempt to properly describe any tree species shown on this web page and cross referenced images using these sources. It is recommended to cross reference your plant material or photographs with the resource list provided when identifying tree species. A personal interest into our native forest species for more than twenty years provided the images, descriptions and measurements for any tree species shown. Other experience was gathered through a long time involvment with Landcare River Restoration Projects and Farm Foresters. Information on distribution range of tree species has been collected using a selection of sources (see link above) and botanical gardens. The target of these web pages is to show the diversity and magnificence of our remaining rainforests areas. Our aim is to build up the awareness to the high conservation values these subtropical and tropical rainforest areas deserve.
Please note all images are copyright, watermarked and not to be used without prior permission by All Creative Designs® worldwide rights reserved.

Tree Pages: 1 A - Bo | 2 Bo - Br | 3 C - D | 4 E - Euca | 5 F - Figs | 6 F - G | 7 H - M | 8 N - P | 9 R - S | 10 S - Syz | 11 T - V | 12 W - Z

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