Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Description

Cupaniopsis anacardioides is a tree that typically grows to a height of up to 11 m, with a dbh of 50 cm. Its branchlets are sometimes covered with short hairs pressed against the surface, and are lenticellate. The leaves are paripinnate, 150–250 mm long with 4 to 8, sometimes up to 12 elliptic or egg-shaped leaflets with the narrower end towards the base, 45–190 mm long and 16–75 mm wide on a petiolule 2–7 mm long. The leaflets are leathery with prominent veins and the lower surface is sometimes covered with soft hairs. Separate male and female flowers are borne in panicles 80–350 mm long on a softly-hairy peduncle, the flowers greenish-white or yellowish on a pedicel 3–7 mm long. The sepals lobes are 2.5–4.0 mm long and the petals are egg-shaped, 1.5–3 mm long. Flowering occurs in June and July and the fruit is a golden yellow capsule, tinged with red.

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1834 by Achille Richard who gave it the name in Voyage de découvertes de l'Astrolabe - Botanique from specimens collected near Moreton Bay by Charles Fraser. In 1879, Ludwig Radlkofer transferred the species to the genus Cupaniopsis as C.anacardioides. The specific epithet (anacardioides) means 'resembling the genus ''Anacardium''', because of the similarity of the leaves.

Distribution and habitat

The usual habitat of this species is on rocky beaches, in hilly scrub and forest in littoral rainforest on sand or near estuaries. The species occurs in New Guinea, the Dampierland and Northern Kimberley bioregions of northern Western Australia, the far north of the Northern Territory, and in Queensland and New South Wales as far south as Gerroa.

Cupaniopsis anacardioides has been introduced to Pakistan, Florida and Hawaii and is an invasive species in the United States.

Ecology

The fruit of tuckeroo attracts many birds, including Australasian figbird, olive-backed oriole and pied currawong,

Use in horticulture

Germination of tuckeroo from fresh seed occurs without difficulty, particularly if the seed is removed from the aril and soaked for a few days. Tuckeroo is widely cultivated in parks and is a spreading and shady street tree.

Status as an invasive species

Carrotwood is an invasive species in the United States. It was first introduced to Florida in the 1960s as an ornamental tree, but escaped into natural areas, forming dense monocultures and outcompeting native plants. It invades many habitats and alters the understorey habitat. It produces many brightly-coloured fruits that are attractive to birds, which disperse it widely.

According to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), carrotwood fruits are consumed by various bird species, including the fish crow (Corvus ossifragus), which acts as a seed disperser for the tree in some regions.

References

References

1. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Australian Plant Census.
2. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra..
3. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.
4. Floyd, A. G.. (2008). "Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia". Terania Rainforest Publishing.
5. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Northern Territory Government.
6. "''Cupania anacardioides''". Australian Plant Name Index.
7. (1834). "Voyage de la corvette l'Astrolabe : exécuté par ordre du roi, pendant les années 1826-1827-1828-1829". J. Tastu.
8. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Australian Plant Name Index.
9. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Plants of the World Online.
10. {{FloraBase
11. "PCA Alien Plant Working Group - Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)".
12. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". University of Florida.
13. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". United States Department of Agriculture.
14. "''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants.
15. Gordon, David R.. (2001). "Carrotwood, ''Cupaniopsis anacardioides''". University of Florida IFAS Extension.