Denhamia oleaster is a shrub or small tree within the family Celastraceae, endemic to Queensland. The species inhabits a variety of environments, from monsoon forest to semi-arid savanna and occurs on a broad range of soil types. In more humid locales the species can grow to 6 metres in height, although it may not reach more than 1 metre in less favourable environments.

Denhamia oleaster
Denhamia oleaster
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Celastrales
Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Denhamia
Species:
D. oleaster
Binomial name
Denhamia oleaster
Synonyms

Melicytus oleaster Lindl.
Leucocarpum oleaster (Lindl.) F.Muell.

John Lindley described the plant as Melicytus oleaster in 1848, it being discovered on explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell's expeditions into northern Australia.[2]

Denhamia oleaster is found in across inland Queensland in open woodland and scrubland in the Brigalow Belt, as well as wetter monsoon forests in the northern reaches of its distribution.[3] it is often associated with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla).[2]

The timber is valued for wood turning.

Fruit of D. oleaster.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Denhamia oleaster (Lindl.) F.Muell". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Denhamia oleaster (Lindl.) F.Muell". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
  3. ^ F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Denhamia oleaster". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 June 2021.