ClimateWatch

An initiative of Earthwatch Institute

  1. Tree_lomatia-_neil_blair-_royal_botanic_gardens_vic Tree Lomatia- Neil Blair- Royal Botanic Gardens VIC
  2. Lomatia_fraseri-_neil_blair-_royal_botanic_gardens_vic Lomatia fraseri- Neil Blair- Royal Botanic Gardens VIC
  3. Flowers-_neil_blair-royal_botanic_garden_vic Flowers- Neil Blair-Royal Botanic Garden VIC
  4. Tree_lomatia-_neville_walsh-_royal_botanic_gardens_vic Tree Lomatia- Neville Walsh- Royal Botanic Gardens VIC

Tree Lomatia

Lomatia fraseri

Appearance

Description: Upright rounded shrub or small tree that grows between 8-11 m high although it can be much smaller if it is found in exposed areas. Trunk and branches are grey to dark brown

Leaves: lanceolate (lance-shaped) to elliptic (rounded) in shape, measuring 6–12 cm in length and 1-3.5cm in width. Leaves are leathery to the touch with upper surface of the leaf being a dull green while the underside is pale yellow-green.  The margins of the leaf are deeply or shallowly toothed, occasionally entire or sometimes deeply lobed. This species is characterised by a variety of leaf shapes. 

Flowers: Flowers may be held in clusters up to 12 centimetres long. Blooms are white to cream, fragrant and usually abundant when flowering. Flowers are very hairy and spidery in appearance. 

Fruits/Seeds: Seeds are found in a leathery banana-shaped pod that grows to 20-30mm long and is green in colour. 

What to Observe

  • First fully open single flower
  • Full flowering (record all days)
  • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)
  • Open seed pods containing seeds (record all days)

ClimateWatch Science Advisor

We expect plants to start shooting and flowering earlier in the year as a result of climate change warming the Earth. Climate change will directly affect the ecological communities in which this alpine species resides. An increase in temperature and extreme heat events will reduce viable habitat for this species.

Help scientists answer the question: "How are our animals, plants and ecosystems responding to climate change?"

When To Look

Usually found flowering in the Summer months. 

Note: ClimateWatch is looking for any changes in the timing of these events so remember to keep a lookout all year!

Where To Look

Margins of cool and warm temperate rainforest in mountain areas. Also forests, open woodlands and exposed heaths up to 1500m altitude.

Note: ClimateWatch is looking for any changes outside of their known ranges so remember to keep a lookout beyond these regions too!

 

Sightings

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