''Atractocarpus fitzalanii'', the brown gardenia or yellow mangosteen, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Rubiaceae found in
tropical Queensland
Tropical Queensland is a region of the state of Queensland, Australia that lies north of latitude 23.5 degrees South in the tropical latitude.
It contains the Tropical North Queensland including the Far North Queensland, North Queensland and t ...
in Australia. The beautifully scented flowers and lush growth has seen this plant enter cultivation in subtropical gardens in Eastern Australia.
Description
''Atractocarpus fitzalanii'' grows as a woody shrub or small tree some in height. The trunk is covered by smooth grey bark. The large glossy dark green leaves are obovate to oval-shaped and range from long by wide. The yellowish veins and midrib are prominent on the leaf. The new growth is a bright lime green in colour. The small (2-2.5 cm or 1 inch) white fragrant flowers appear from September to November, occur singly and have five lanceolate petals around a tube. The round- or oval-shaped fruit is 3–4 cm in diameter and ripens in April to June.
[ The fragrance of the flowers resembles that of the common gardenia, and fruit can be eaten fresh.]
Taxonomy
''Atractocarpus fitzalanii'' was originally described by German naturalist and Victorian State Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, (german: Müller; 30 June 1825 – 10 October 1896) was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist. He was appointed government botanist for the then colony of Vict ...
, who named it in honour of the person who first collected it, Eugene Fitzalan. It is commonly known as the brown gardenia.[ it gained its current binomial name in 1999 with the publishing of a genus revision by botanists Christopher Puttock and Christopher Quinn.]
Subspecies
Two subspecies have become widely recognised:Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
''tenuis'' "slender", and ''pes'' "foot".
Distribution and habitat
The range is from far north Queensland south through to Mackay. It is found in rainforests and sheltered habitats.[
]
Ecology
Flowers open in the afternoon, and moths then visit the plants. Birds eat the fruit.
Uses
Its bushy lush foliage and bright new growth, fragrant flowers and edible and tasty fruit give it horticultural potential in gardens in subtropical climates.[ It is suited to a shady position with good drainage in gardens, or moderately to brightly lit indoor spaces.]
References
External links
*
World Checklist of RubiaceaeQueensland Government, native gardenia, ''Atractocarpus fitzalanii'' James Cook University (Smithfield Queensland), Discover Nature, ''Atractocarpus fitzalanii''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4817483
fitzalanii
Gentianales of Australia
Flora of New South Wales
Flora of Queensland
Trees of Australia
Ornamental trees
Plants described in 1860
Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller
Taxa named by Christopher Francis Puttock