Common Name: Leopardwood

General Information

Leopardwood is a tree growing up to 15 metres tall. For several years it grows as a spiny, intricate shrub, but eventually an erect trunk arises to form the tree[]. The bole can become 24 - 36cm in diameter[].
A useful gum is obtained from the trunk and this has commercial possibilities if it could be collected economically in sufficient quantities[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Habitat

Sandplains and stony hilly areas in dry, inland areas[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A tree of arid and semi-arid regions, found mainly in subtropical areas but just extending into the tropics. It can grow in areas with an annual average rainfall of less than 250 mm.

Edible Uses

A clear, amber gum exudes freely from damaged areas of the trunk[]. Eaten raw, it has a very pleasant taste[, ].

Medicinal

The amber gum is eaten as a common traditional remedy for diarrhoea[].

Other Uses

A clear, amber gum exudes freely from damaged areas of the trunk[, ]. It contains 80% arabin[]. It dissolves completely in water, forming a good quality adhesive mucilage[, ].

The bright yellow wood is exceedingly tough, very elastic. It is used for shingles, staves of tallow casks, pick handles, the poles and shafts of drays, buggies, etc[]. In the rough state (with the bark on) it is used for fencing, but it is useless for building purposes, as a coleopterous insect soon destroys it[]. About Wilcannia, N.S.W., it is, however, considered very durable by some, when sawn and used for inside work[].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species. However, the following is a general description of the wood from species in this genus:-
The heartwood is brownish-pink, darkening upon exposure to a medium brown shade; it is demarcated from the narrow band of grayish sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain often interlocked, sometimes wavy or curly, producing a wide range of figure; the lustre is silky; the wood is slightly scented when freshly cut. The heartwood is rated as not durable. The wood seasons satisfactorily, with some tendency to warp and collapse. It works well in most hand and machine operations; torn grain is common when planing quartered surfaces; it takes a good finish; nails and
glues well. The wood is used for purposes such as fine furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, interior joinery, paneling, musical instruments, rifle stocks[].

Propagation

Seed -

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