Melicope elleryana
(F. Muell.) T. G. Hartley
Cork wood, Pink euodia
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Summary
Source: WikipediaMelicope elleryana, commonly known as pink flowered doughwood, pink evodia, corkwood, or saruwa, is a species of rainforest shrub or tree in the family Rutaceae, and is native to New Guinea, parts of eastern Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and northern Australia. It has trifoliate leaves and pink to white, bisexual flowers arranged in panicles in leaf axils.
Description
A small to medium sized tree. It grows 25 m high. The bark is pale to white. The leaves are opposite. They have 3 oval leaflets. These are 18 cm long. The flowers are bright pink and occur in large numbers. The fruit are small and the seeds are black.
Edible Uses
This species is often cultivated as an ornamental tree. In New Guinea it is said to be used to flavour palm wine and an exudate from the bark is used as an adhesive, for caulking canoes and as a wound treatment.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are mashed in water, which is then used as a wash in the treatment of fevers. A decoction of the dried bark is used in the treatment of malaria. The juice squeezed from the fresh bark is mixed with water and taken for a few days. This is said to be a strong contraceptive that remains effective for 2 - 3 years/
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in coastal rainforest. It grows from sea level to 800 m above sea level. In Townsville palmetum.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Papua New Guinea, PNG,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from fresh seed. Seeds can be soaked for several days to improve germination.
Propagation
Seed - it germinates very erratically, whether sown fresh or after storage, taking anything from a few weeks to a year or more. Cuttings.
Other Uses
The white wood is soft, with an unpleasant, musty smell. A useful, general purpose timber.
Production
It is fast growing.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Anon., 2003, Native Plants for the Fitzroy basin. Society for Growing Australian Plants Inc. (Rockhampton Branch) p 67
- Brisbane Botanical Gardens sign
- Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 311
