Common names: Northern Silky Oak / Bull Oak.
Derivation: Cardwellia after Edward Cardwell, Secretary for the Colonies (1813-86) sublimis = lofty; a reference to the tall stature of these rainforest trees.
This was a much sought after timber tree, hence the vernacular names referring to the “oak-like” quality of the wood.
While most Australians think of Banksias, Hakeas and Grevilleas when they imagine Proteaceae species, those of us blessed with living in coastal tropical North Queensland think of a host of much more primitive species. Plants that evolved before the break up of Gondwana that grew in the depths of moist forest. Cardwellia sublimis is a good example, growing as an emergent tree it regularly exceeds 35 meters with moderate buttresses.
The inflorescences are a terminal raceme or panicle of large attractive cream or white flowers. The large follicles, to 150 mm, that form stand erect, often high above the leaves at the top of the canopy and contain up to 12 brown, winged seeds that disperse on the winds. These magestic trees are a delightful member of the plants that form the Daintree rainforests
Posted by Allen
This is the first posting in the category of Daintree Plants which Allen will write especially for plant lovers.