Claudie Tulipwood

The Claudie tulipwood is a small tree growing up to 9 m (30 ft) high and a DBH of 15 cm (6 in). The dark green, glossy, compound leaves have 8 to 12 leaflets, and are quite large (they can reach up to 100 cm (39 in) long including the petiole). The ovate to elliptic leaflets are also fairly large, reaching up to 40 by 8.5 cm (16 by 3 in). The inflorescences are initially axillary, later as the leaves fall they become ramiflorous. They are panicles up to 20 cm (8 in) long, and carry numerous flowers about 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) in diameter, with a green caylyx and 4 or 5 white or cream reflexed petals. The bright red fruits are two-valved capsules about 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long by 18 mm (0.7 in) wide. Each valve contains a single black seed which is almost or completely covered by a bright yellow aril.

Phenology. In Australia, flowering occurs from October to July, and fruits ripen from April to November.

Harpullia ramiflora is native to the island of Catanduanes in the Philippines, the island of Halmahera and the Aru Islands in the Maluku Islands, New Guinea, and Cape York Peninsula in Australia. It grows in rainforest and gallery forest. In Australia the range of this species was originally from the top of Cape York to near Rossville, but after extensive planting throughout the city of Cairns it has become naturalised in the areas around the city.

This tree has been widely planted in the suburbs of Cairns, Queensland, particularly in the streets of Smithfield and Trinity Park. It prefers full sun to semi-shade and can tolerate waterlogged soils. It can be propagated from seed.