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

• First fully open single flower

• Full flowering (record all days)

• End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

• No flowering

• 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

References

• Feedipedia, Animal Feed Resources Information System
• Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants, Edition 6, 2010
• Experts consulted: ClimateWatch Science Advisory Panel

Links

• eFlora
• Trin