Xanthostemon chrysanthus
| Golden penda | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flowering, close up (above), habit (below), cultivated, Brisbane | |
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Xanthostemon |
| Species: | X. chrysanthus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthostemon chrysanthus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Xanthostemon chrysanthus, the golden penda or first love, is a species of tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, endemic to (found only in) north eastern Queensland, Australia.[4] It is a popular garden plant with showy yellow blooms.
Description
Xanthostemon chrysanthus grows as a tree to 10–15 metres (33–49 ft) high and 5–8 metres (16–26 ft) wide in the wild, but generally much more compact in gardens. The bark is rough and the habit bushy. The shiny green elliptic leaves measure 7–22 cm (2.8–8.7 in) long by 2–9.5 cm (0.79–3.74 in) wide. They are arranged in whorls along the stems.
The flowerheads, or racemes, are terminal or axillary and measure up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter. They are made up of numerous small (1–2 cm diameter) individual golden flowers. Flowering is followed by small (1-1,5 cm) green or brown woody capsules which are ripe between August and February. Flowers can appear at any time of year.[5]
Taxonomy
It was first described in 1864 by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller as Metrosideros chrysantha,[2] after being collected by John Dallachy on 12 April 1864 from Rockingham Bay in northern Queensland.[4] It was reclassified in the genus Xanthostemon by George Bentham in the third volume of his Flora Australiensis in 1867.[2] The species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words chrysos "golden", and "anthos" "flower".[5]
Distribution and habitat
The range is from Cardwell northwards into Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. It grows in open forest or rainforest, often along the banks of creeks and rivers.[4]
Cultivation
Xanthostemon chrysanthus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in gardens and park landscaping. Its horticultural appeal stems from its profuse and attractive flowering.[4] It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It grows well in subtropical gardens with fair drainage and sunny aspect.[5] The species is less reliable in flowering in climates such as Sydney.[6]
Expo gold
The golden penda tree was selected as the theme plant for Expo 88. Cuttings of the tree, which is native to north Queensland, were taken from a superior form from a garden in Brisbane and planted in flower in Brisbane to create a 'Sea of Gold'. In late autumn, the tree can still be seen in flower in gardens and lining streets across Brisbane.[7]
The tree is also the native floral emblem of Cairns.[8][9]
References
- ^ "Species profile—Xanthostemon chrysanthus". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Xanthostemon chrysanthus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F.Muell.) Benth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Xanthostemon chrysanthus". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (2010). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Volume 9 – Sp-Z. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 498. ISBN 978-0-7344-0974-4.
- ^
Walters, Brian (2007). "Xanthostemon chrysanthus". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Norm McCarthy (June 2003). "Australian Plants Online". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). ISSN 1326-7469. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ Council, Cairns Regional (27 May 2016). "City symbols". Cairns Regional Council. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Golden Penda". www.sgapcairns.org.au. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
External links
Data related to Xanthostemon chrysanthus at Wikispecies
Media related to Xanthostemon chrysanthus at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of recorded sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- See images of this species on Flickriver
