Common Name:

General Information

Erythrophleum chlorostachys is a medium sized tree growing up to 18 metres tall. The tree is usually evergreen, but can become deciduous in the dry season[]. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its valuable timber,

Known Hazards

All parts of the tree are highly poisonous[].
The leaves (particularly the leaves of sucker shoots) have caused losses in cattle, horses, sheep, donkey, goats and camels[].
People working with the wood in sawmills should be careful as it is suspected of causing dermatitis[].
Splinters of the wood are reputed to cause complications[].
Shade trees growing near houses where the rain water is collected in tanks should be viewed with suspicion. There have been reported cases of poisoning caused by the leaves being washed into the tank and or roof gutters[].

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia.

Habitat

Normally grows in open forest, but also found in monsoon forest and on rain forest margins at elevations from near sea level to 500 metres[]. Mainly found on rocky hillsides, but probably reaches its best development on creek and river flats[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier to moist tropics, where it is found at elevations from 100 - 1,100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 13 - 43°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 300 - 1,700mm[]. The annual rainfall figures given may not fully reflect the water requirement of the tree, since it often grow on sites where it can obtain additional water from other sources[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating some shade[]. Succeeds in most well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

In trials, bark material of this species was active against tumour cell cultures[].

Other Uses

The red wood is extremely hard, heavy, tough, dense, durable when exposed to the elements and termite resistant[, ]. A very useful and decorative wood, it was at one time much used for making lawn bowls[].
It is used for railway sleepers and similar needs where strength and durability are prime requisites[].

Propagation

Seed -

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