Alphitonia excelsa
Alphitonia excelsa, commonly known as the red ash or soap tree, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to Australia, being found in New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and the northeastern tip of Western Australia. It is used in bush regeneration as a pioneer species and for amenity planting.
Taxonomy and naming
Alphitonia excelsa was first described by Eduard Fenzl and reclassified by George Bentham. One of 20 species of the genus Alphitonia in Australia and the Pacific Islands, its specific epithet is derived from the Latin excelsus meaning 'tall'. Other common names include red almond, silver leaf, leatherjacket, white leaf, white myrtle, sarsaparilla tree, and coopers wood.Description
[Image:Alphitonia excelsa leaves.jpg|left|thumb|Leaves and flower buds]This tree reaches a height of, by across. The red ash has a spreading shade-producing habit when a larger tree with an overall greyish green appearance. The alternate leaves measure in length and wide and are dark glossy green above and silvery with fine hairs underneath, making an attractive contrast on windy days. The trunk and larger branches bear fissured grey bark, while smaller branches have smoother grey or white bark. It bears small greenish white flowers in late autumn and early winter, followed by globular dark fruit around in diameter, which contain two seeds. When young shoots are bruised, they give off a typical odour of sarsaparilla. The flowers are fragrant in the evening.