Canary Beech
Form and Size: A bushy tree to 8m tall
Distribution: NT, north Qld and south to north-eastern NSW; in coastal vine thickets and woodlands
Leaves: Oval, stiff, bright green, glossy, to 10cm x 5cm; new growth brownish-purple
Bark: Grey, flaky
Flowers: Yellowish, scented, about 1.8cm diameter; borne in axillary clusters
Flowering Period: October to November
Fruit: Red, shiny, about 1cm long
Cultivation/Notes: Propagate from fresh seed. Some protection needed while young
Birds actively seek the colourful fruit
It is a foodplant of the Green Spotted and Pale Blue Triangle butterflies