>ShortDescBot: ShortDescBot adding short description "Species of tree"

2021-03-13T17:59:39Z

ShortDescBot adding short description "Species of tree"

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{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Decaspermum humile Dee Why.jpg
|image_caption = Silky myrtle
|genus = Decaspermum
|species = humile
|authority = ([[George Don|G.Don]]) [[A.J.Scott]]
|synonyms = {{smalldiv|
* ''Myrtus sericocalyx'' [[C.White]]
* ''Nelitris humilis'' [[G.Don]]
* ''Decaspermum paniculatum'' ([[Lindl.]]) [[Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz|Kurz]]
* ''Decaspermum parviflorum'' ([[Jean-Baptiste Lamarck|Lam.]]) [[A.J.Scott]]
}}
}}

'''''Decaspermum humile''''', commonly known as the '''silky myrtle''', is a tree from [[Australia]] and Asia. It can be used as [[bush food]], as indicated by the alternate common name of '''currant myrtle'''. The tree features an attractive dark glossy crown. The new pink leaves with silvery hairs are particularly appealing.

==Taxonomy==
First described as ''Nelitris humilis'' by Scottish botanist [[George Don]] in 1832,<ref>{{APNI | name = ''Nelitris humilis'' G.Don | id = 24035}}</ref> it gained its current name in 1980 when reclassified in the genus ''[[Decaspermum]]''.<ref>{{APNI | name = ''Decaspermum humile'' (G.Don) A.J.Scott | id = 30046 }}</ref> ''Decaspermum'' refers to "ten seeds" as is often the case with this plant. ''Humile'' refers to small or lowly, as it is often seen as a bush or small tree. However, this is not always the case, as some examples of ''Decaspermum humile'' can reach 25 metres (80 ft) tall.<ref name=floyd/>

== Description ==
A shrub or small tree, occasionally reaching 25 metres (80 ft) in height and a stem diameter of 45 cm (18 in). The trunk is often angled, crooked or fluted. Larger specimens may be slightly buttressed at the base. The bark is rough and brown, but with light papery vertical scales. Small branches are covered with silvery hairs, which later become fibrous and have a red brown colour.<ref name=floyd/>

=== Leaves ===
The leaves are 2 to 8 cm (0.8–3.6 in) long, and 1.5 to 3 cm (0.6–1.2 in) wide.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Decaspermum humile''|work=PlantNET – NSW Flora Online|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Decaspermum~humile|accessdate=2010-07-28}}</ref> In the typical shape of the ''lilly pilly'' group, it may easily be confused in the field with plants of the genus ''[[Syzygium]]''. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem, and are entire, ovate to [[lanceolate]] with a prominent ''drip tip''. The leaf margins are ''rolled over'' as in the [[Syzygium crebrinerve|Purple Cherry]] and contrasting to the flat margins with the [[Gossia bidwillii|Python Tree]] and [[Gossia acmenoides|Scrub Ironwood]]. Leaves are dark green on both sides, though somewhat less glossy under the leaf. New leaves are pink with silvery hairs.<ref name=floyd/>

Oil dots are tiny and hard to determine. The leaf stalk is between 3 and 7 mm long. Leaf venation is generally unclear apart from the midrib, being raised on both sides. However, the lateral veins are practically invisible. Net veins are not seen, although there is an indistinct intra-marginal vein around the edge of the leaf.<ref name=floyd/>

=== Flowers, fruit & regeneration ===
The white or pale mauve flowers form in [[thyrse]]s in March to May, though occasionally as late as October. Flowers forming either from the leaf [[axil]]s or from the ends of branchlets. The fruit is a black round berry, crowned by [[Calyx (botany)|calyx]] lobes. Inside the fruit are around ten seeds, 3 to 6 mm in diameter. The fruit matures from May to November. Regeneration can yield good results if the flesh is removed from the seed. Soaking may also assist in drowning insect larvae. After three months around half of the seeds may germinate. Cuttings have also proven successful.<ref name=floyd/>

==Distribution and habitat==
The habitat is the drier rainforests, usually on shallow rocky soils of a volcanic origin. Common Australian associate species are the [[Gossia bidwillii|Python Tree]] and [[Gossia acmenoides|Scrub Ironwood]]. It is found as far south as [[Ourimbah, New South Wales]] to north [[Queensland]]. Also seen in south-east Asia and [[India]].<ref name=floyd>{{cite book |url=http://rainforestpublishing.com.au/shop/rainforest-trees-of-south-eastern-australia/ |title=Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia |first=A. G. |last=Floyd |author-link=Alexander Floyd |publisher=Terania Rainforest Publishing |location=[[Lismore, New South Wales]] |year=2008 |edition=2nd, Revised |isbn= 978-0-958943-67-3 |page=242 |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref> It is the only member of its genus to reach Australia.<ref name=EJ>{{cite encyclopedia |author1=Elliot, Rodger W. |author2=Jones, David L. | year = 1984 | title = Ce-Er | editor = Elliot, Rodger W. |editor2=Jones, David L. | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation | volume = 3 | pages =213–14 | publisher = Lothian Publishing | isbn = 0-85091-167-2}}</ref>

==Cultivation==
The attractive furrowed bark, glossy foliage and fragrant flowers give the species horticultural potential. It is suitable as an [[Houseplant|indoor plant]] or in a [[Flower pot|tub]] planting.<ref name=EJ/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5248751}}

[[Category:Bushfood]]
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Flora of Queensland]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of New Guinea]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]

Decaspermum humile - Revision history

>ShortDescBot: ShortDescBot adding short description "Species of tree"