Appearance
Growing up to 10 metres with a stem diameter of 50 centimetres. The bark is smooth grey or brown with raised horizontal lines. The bases of the trees are usually flanged.Leaves are pinnate and alternate with six to ten leaflets. These are not toothed, and are egg-shaped to elliptic-oblong, and 7 to 10 centimetres long. The tips are often notched or blunt. Leaf veins are evident on both sides. The veins are mostly raised underneath.
Greenish white flowers form on panicles from May to July. The fruit is an orange to yellow capsule with three lobes. There is a glossy dark brown seed inside each lobe. The seeds are covered in a bright orange aril. Fruit ripens from October to December, attracting many birds including Australasian figbird, olive-backed oriole and pied currawong.
Germination from fresh seed occurs without difficulty, particularly if the seed is removed from the aril and soaked for a few days.
Distribution
The range of natural distribution is from Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales to Queensland, northern Australia and New Guinea."Cupaniopsis anacardioides" is an invasive species in some parts of the United States, primarily Florida and Hawaii.
Uses
It is an attractive plant as an ornamental or a street tree, particularly in coastal areas as it is salt tolerant.References:
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