Elaeocarpus sedentarius

Elaeocarpus sedentarius, known as the Minyon quandong, is a species of Australian, endangered, mid-sized rainforest trees. In 2008 David J. Maynard and Darren M. Crayn formally scientifically described the species under this name. Previously it had several published informal scientific names and descriptions, the most well known was Elaeocarpus sp. Rocky Creek (G.Read AQ 562114).

Minyon quandong
Minyon Quandong – juvenile
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
Species:
E. sedentarius
Binomial name
Elaeocarpus sedentarius
Maynard & Crayn[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Elaeocarpus sp. Rocky Creek (Hunter s.n. 16 Sep 1993)
  • Elaeocarpus sp. Rocky Creek (G.Read AQ 562114)
  • Elaeocarpus sp. Whian Whian (G.Read AQ 562114)
  • Elaeocarpus sp. Minyon

They grow naturally in a small area on the south of the Mount Warning caldera in northern New South Wales, Australia.[1][3] A single wild tree was also discovered in the north of the Caldera, approximately 35 km north of the rest of the populations. This tree occurs in Brush Box ecotone areas and warm temperate rainforests.

The Minyon Quandong is naturally rare and considered endangered with extinction. Their very restricted populations have conservation status listings as endangered under both the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Australian national Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).[3][4]

Description

Leaves are roundish or obovate, 7 to 15 cm long, 4 to 8 cm wide. Leaf edges are somewhat wavy toothed (crenate), other leaves not toothed. The underleaf is a glaucous white with small hairs, particularly on the leaf veins. The leaf stem is 3 to 6 mm long. Old leaves to orange to dull red before falling.

Flowers are greenish cream and appear in racemes, 2 to 5 cm long. In autumn the fruit matures, being a round shaped blue drupe, 20–35 mm in diameter. The blue skin covers a highly fiberous "flesh". The central "stone" is not grooved, but somewhat sculptured in appearance. Like many Australian Elaeocarpus, germination from seed is slow and difficult.

Elaeocarpus sedentarius fruit next to a dollar coin, on a Brush Box leaf

References
  1. Maynard, David; Crayn, Darren; Rossetto, Marco; Kooyman, Robert; Coode, Mark (2008). "Elaeocarpus sedentarius sp. nov. (Elaeocarpaceae)—morphometric analysis of a new, rare species from eastern Australia". Australian Systematic Botany. 21 (3). pp. 192–200 (196–199), Figs 3, 4. doi:10.1071/SB07031.
  2. "Elaeocarpus sedentarius". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  3. Murray, Louisa (4 July 2008). "Elaeocarpus sedentarius – New South Wales Flora Online". PlantNet - The Plant Information Network System. 2.0. Sydney, Australia: The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  4. Elaeocarpus sedentarius, Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013
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