Habitat/Distribution: Endemic to northeast Queensland, Australia. It thrives in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, the oldest continuously existing tropical rainforests in the world.
Conservation status: Listed as "Least Concern" under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland
Scientific name: Syzygium monospermum
Common names: Satinash, Daintree; Daintree Satinash
About
The Daintree Satinash (Syzygium monospermum), a member of the Myrtaceae family, is endemic to north-east Queensland. These majestic trees can reach heights of up to 17 metres and possess smooth, reddish-brown bark. Their trunks have slits that lead to hollows, providing a home for ants. When fully mature, the trees bear edible white fruit that typically measures around 36-41mm. The tree exhibits cauliflory, a unique botanical trait where flowers and fruits grow directly from the trunk or main branches.
The tree's leaves are narrowly obovate or elliptic, measuring about 10.2-24.1 cm in length and 4.5-9.3 cm in width, with petioles about 2.3-5mm long. The inflorescence appears on warty outgrowths on the trunk and contains clusters of yellowish-cream flowers. Seed germination takes about 15 to 39 days.
Fun Fact: Australia is home to fifty-two species in the Syzygium family, which also include Lilly Pillys and brush cherries.
Distribution
The Daintree satinash is endemic to the Cape Tribulation to Mossman area, a region that experiences high rainfall, especially during the summer wet season from December to March, and maintains warm temperatures throughout the year.
The Daintree Rainforest provides a lush, humid environment with rich biodiversity, making it an ideal habitat for this unique tree.
Growth and threats
This remarkable tree produces flowers and fruits directly on its trunk or main branches. This unique botanical characteristic is known as cauliflory, and plants exhibiting this trait are referred to as cauliflorous. The term originates from the Latin words 'caulis' meaning stem and 'flor' meaning flower.
This tree faces several threats, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Deforestation for agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure projects has significantly reduced its natural habitat. Additionally, climate change poses a long-term threat by altering rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures, which can affect the growth and survival of this species.
Protection of freehold land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest ensures populations of iconic Daintree plants and animals, including the Daintree Satinash (Syzygium monospermum), are managed for conservation. Please, donate now to help us protect this vital habitat.