Lophostemon
| Lophostemon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lophostemon confertus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Lophostemon Schott |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Lophostemon ('lophos' - crest, 'stemon' - stamen) is a genus of 4 species of evergreen tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. All four species are native to Australia, with one extending to New Guinea. The genus is a relatively recent creation; all 4 species were previously included in the related genus Tristania.
The most well-known species, L. confertus is a familiar tree to many people living along the east coast of Australia, where it known colloquially as the brush box. Quite frequently, it has been planted as a street tree, a role it isn't suited for as it grows to 30 metres in height and quite often suffers lopping due to obstructing overhead power lines.
Lophostemon species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Aenetus ligniveren.
Species include:
- Lophostemon confertus (Brush Box, Queensland Box, Brisbane Box)
- Lophostemon grandiflorus (Northern Swamp Box)
- Lophostemon lactifluus (Milky Box)
- Lophostemon suaveolens (Swamp Mahogany, Swamp Turpentine, Swamp Box)
References
- Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. "Lophostemon". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Retrieved 2007-10-05.