Common Name:

General Information

Ormosia ormondii is an evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of beads and wood. A medium to large, very ornamental tree suitable for parks and street plantings. The large bunches of pink flowers are attractive to Honeyeaters and Parrots[].

Known Hazards

The plants, but especially the seed and perhaps also the bark, of many if not all species in this genus contain alkaloids and are toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland.

Habitat

Well developed rain forest on a variety of sites, but often encountered on creek and river banks; at elevations up to 400 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Birds
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a fertile, well-drained soil[]. Established plants can tolerate short droughts[].
The plant is slow-growing when very young, but then speeds up and becomes moderately fast[].
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

None known

Other Uses

The bright red, hard, flat, polished seeds are used as beads in necklaces etc[].

The heartwood is salmon coloured with occasional darker streaks. The wood is coarse-textured, of medium weight[]. A useful, general purpose timber[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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