Lophostemon grandiflorus (Myrtaceae) is endemic to Australia, an attractive but often overlooked tree (photo above) that occurs naturally right across the Top End, extending in the east to Central Queensland. It was originally named Tristania grandiflora, then transferred to the genus Lophostemon in the 1980s.
Lophostemon grandiflorus typically grows in well drained native woodland areas near gullies and seasonal creeks. The species evidently benefits from intermittent high soil moisture, and tolerates both temporary inundation and prolonged dry spells. Despite its common names, Northern Swamp Mahogany / Northern Swamp Box, Lophostemon grandiflorus does not normally grow in permanently saturated swamps.
Lophostemon grandiflorus bears clusters of creamy-white flowers edged with brown (photo above). The botanical name ‘Lophostemon’ refers to the tufted clusters of stamens that typify this genus and give the flowers a fluffy appearance when seen from a distance. Close-up, the stamen clusters are visible towards the top and left of the photo above.
Lophostemon grandiflorus trees quite often host epiphytes and mistletoes. In the photo above, there are orange mistletoe flowers partly visible through the Lophostemon grandiflorus foliage. The leaves provide food for native caterpillars including those of the Splendid Ghost Moth and the Rare Red-eye Butterfly.
Lophostemon grandiflorus leaves are mid- to dark-green on their upper surface and pale green on the underside (photo above). There are small oil dots in the leaves although you might need a hand lens to see them.
Saplings and young Lophostemon grandiflorus trees have smooth light brown bark that gradually becomes darker and rougher, almost fibrous, as the tree ages (photo above). The coarse surface and persistent nature of the bark (i.e. not shed seasonally) provides a favourable substrate for mistletoe, orchids and other epiphytes.
In favourable conditions Lophostemon grandiflorus grows readily from seed. One may need patience and good timing to collect seed and it’s worth checking several trees at different locations. They tend to have variable flowering periods and the window for seed collection is brief because the seed capsules quickly swell, open, and shed their contents (photo above).
