The genus Argyrodendron is generally treated as a synonym of Heritiera. However, Wilkie P. et al; Phylogenetic Relationships within the Subfamily Sterculioideae (Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae-Sterculieae) Using the Chloroplast Gene ndhF; Systematic Botany, (2006), 31(1): pp. 160-170 has found Argyrodendrom to be distinct. Until this research is more widely accepted, we will be maintaining this species under Heritiera[].

Common Name:

General Information

Heritiera actinophylla is an evergreen tree with a large, dark crown; it can grow up to 50 metres tall. The bole is usually prominently buttressed[, ].
An ornamental timber, it is harvested from the wild for local use and trade.
The tree was an important timber tree, but over-exploitation has greatly reduced the supplies of larger trees[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales, southern Queensland.

Habitat

Well-developed upland rain forest at elevations from 500 - 700 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics, just entering the tropics in Queensland; it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 28°c, but can tolerate 8 - 36°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,100 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 1,500mm[].Found wild from the warm temperate zone, through the subtropics and entering the tropics in eastern Australia. It can withstand moderate frosts[].
Succeeds in full sun and in light shade[]. Prefers a light soil, but can succeed in most well-drained soils of moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is light brown, mottled on the quarter by darker coloured rays. The grain is straight or slightly interlocked; the texture medium to coarse; there is a pleasing figure on back-sawn surface due to bands of soft tissue. The wood is moderately heavy in weight; very tough; fairly fissile radially; elastic. It is suitable for chairs, axe and other tool handles, carriage work etc[, ]. This and other timbers of the genus are being used increasingly in panelling, flooring, interior fitting, plywood, cabinet work, etc[].

Propagation

Seed - sown fresh, it usually germinates within a few days[].

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