Appearance
''Hymenosporum flavum'' is a semi-deciduous tree up to 25 m high and a trunk diameter to 45 cm . The obovate leaves are simple, alternate, glossy green above and lighter below. They measure up to 13 cm long by 4.5 cm wide. and are clustered towards the ends of the branches in pseudo-whorls.The very fragrant flowers are quite large, about 40 mm diameter with a floral tube up to 28 mm long. They are initially functionally male, and coloured white with lemon tinges. Over a period of about 5 days the stigma begins to develop and the stamens curl away. At the same time the colour deepens until the fully functioning female flower is golden yellow with red/purple track lines in the throat.
The fruit is a dehiscent, two-chambered capsule, black/brown, densely hairy and about 35 mm wide and long. Seeds are about 7 mm long with a 4 mm wing. They are numerous, and stacked together to fill each chamber.
Naming
The genus name ''Hymenosporum'' is derived from the Ancient Greek words humḗn, meaning membrane, and sporā́, meaning seed. It is a reference to the winged seeds. The species epithet ''flavum'' is from the Latin flāvus, yellow, and refers to the flower colour.References:
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