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Atalaya variifolia

(F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth.

Wingleaf whitewood

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(c) Arthur Chapman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Arthur Chapman

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Atalaya variifolia, is a species of tree in the family Sapindaceae.

Description

A small slender tree. It grows 3-7 m high and spreads 3-4 m wide. The branches hang downwards. The young growth is softly hairy. The whole leaf is 15-25 cm long and it is divided into 2-7 irregular leaflets about 7-23 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are creamy white and hairy. They are 0.5 cm across. The fruit are 2-3 lobed winged capsules.

Edible Uses

The roots are edible.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. It grows in dry tropical regions in Northern Australia. It grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. It needs good drainage.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

Notes

There are 11 Atalaya species.

Nutrition

PartMoisturekJkcalProteinVit AVit CIronZinc
Root79.3342820.30.4

Synonyms

Thouinia variifolia F. Muell.

References (10)

  • Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 93
  • Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 480
  • Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 252
  • Hiddins, L., 1999, Explore Wild Australia with the Bush Tucker Man. Penguin Books/ABC Books. p 166
  • Kenneally, K.E., Edinger, D. C., and Willing T., 1996, Broome and Beyond, Plants and People of the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p 179
Show all 10 references
  • Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 28
  • Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 527
  • Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 377
  • Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 91
  • Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 648

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