Litsea / Brown Bollygum
Litsea glutinosa
Appearance
Short description: fast growing deciduous tree that reaches 3-15m in height
Leaves: oblong shaped leaf blades that are clothes in white, erect hairs
Flowers: clusters of cream, green or yellow flowers appear along stems from March – June.
Fruits/seeds: rounded black fruits (approx. 8mm in diameter) bearing seeds that appear from Sept - Oct
What to Observe
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First fully open single flower
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Full flowering (record all days)
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End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)
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No flowering
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Presence of Atlas Moth caterpillars or eggs (record in comments section)
ClimateWatch Science Advisor
We expect plants to start shooting and flowering earlier in the year as a result of climate change warming the Earth. They may also start appearing in new areas, as warmer temperatures enable them to live in environments that were previously too cold for them.
Help scientists answer the question: "How are our animals, plants and ecosystems responding to climate change?"
When To Look
Flowers appear from March – June, with fruits developed from Sept - Oct
Note: ClimateWatch is looking for any changes in the timing of these events so remember to keep a lookout all year!
Where To Look
WA, NT and northern coastline of QLD
Note:ClimateWatch is looking for any changes outside of their known ranges so remember to keep a lookout beyond these regions too!
Litsea / Brown Bollygum distribution map - GBIF
Sightings
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Search Species
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Did You Know?
- Larvae of the Atlas Moth have been found to be feeding on leaves of Litsea glutinosa, making it an important umbrella species for this vulnerable tropical moth species.
- Bark and leaves are used to produce natural medicines and essential oils in India and China