Nauclea orientalis
| Nauclea orientalis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Nauclea orientalis[1] |
| Common names | Leichhardt tree; bangkal |
| Genus | Nauclea |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Order | Gentianales[5] |
| Growth form | Large tropical tree |
| Native range | India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern Australia[2] |
| Habitat | Riparian and gallery forest, vine thickets, lowland rainforest, and swampy situations[2][3] |
| Mature size | Reported to 20 m; size varies with site[2] |
| Propagation | Seed; reported germination in 4–20 days[3] |
| Fruit | Spherical syncarp, about 2–5 cm across, containing numerous small seeds[2][3] |
Nauclea orientalis is a large tropical tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, known as the Leichhardt tree and bangkal. It is associated with wet lowland habitats and is also cultivated as a spreading shade tree. The accepted species placement is Nauclea orientalis.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
The tree can reach about 20 m in the Northern Territory account and develops a broad, spreading crown. Its flower heads are spherical and strongly perfumed. The fruiting structure is a rounded syncarp: accounts describe it as about 20–40 mm or 4–5 cm across, with numerous seeds about 1.5–2 mm long.[2][3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
In its native range, Nauclea orientalis occurs along creeks and rivers, in gallery forest and lowland rainforest, and in particularly swampy situations from sea level to about 450 m. As a habitat-based cultivation inference, begin with deep, organic, moisture-retentive soil that drains after heavy wetting; it is a poor candidate for a deliberately dry planting site.[2][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The species is described as a large spreading shady tree and occurs in humid lowland and gallery-forest settings. As a cultivation inference, bright filtered light, warm humid air, and good airflow are a sensible starting combination. More open exposure is appropriate only where the root zone can remain reliably moist through hot weather.[2][3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The tree is described as deciduous, shedding leaves during the dry season. Flowering is reported from September to January in Australia and August to October in the Philippines, so the calendar varies across its range. As an inference from its riparian and swamp-associated habitat, maintain root-zone moisture through the dry season rather than treating seasonal leaf fall as proof that the plant tolerates prolonged drought.[2][4]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is the documented propagation route. The fruit contains numerous small seeds, and germination has been reported in 4–20 days.[3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The spherical flower heads are strongly perfumed. Australian flowering has been reported from September through January, while a Philippine record places flowering from August through October. The rounded syncarps become strong-smelling at maturity in the Northern Territory account; fruit size is reported as about 20–40 mm there and about 4–5 cm in the CSIRO account.[2][3][4]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
Fallen fruit is eaten by cassowaries. Human consumption should not be assumed: a species-specific preparation and food-safety basis is not provided for the fruit. A bark infusion is described as causing vomiting; that bark observation should not be extended to the fruit.[3][4]
The wood is used locally in parts of the species' range.[4]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Nauclea orientalis 031211-3212.jpg — Tony Rodd, Wikimedia Commons file page, CC BY-SA 2.0. Attribution: Tony Rodd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
- Nauclea orientalis 031208-3067.jpg — Tony Rodd, Wikimedia Commons file page, CC BY-SA 2.0. Attribution: Tony Rodd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
