Homalanthus populifolius
NPPA pest plant
Common name
Queensland poplar
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
HOMPOP
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial. A pioneer species that grows in gaps or on the margin of rainforests in Australia. It will produce thickets in these situations but canopy trees seem to be able to grow through. This would suggest that it prefers dappled shade but has also been seen growing in quite sunny areas. It is often used to provide shelter in revegetation areas in Australia (John Clarkson, pers. comm.).
Features
Glabrous shrub or small tree up to 5 m high. Twigs rounded, slightly ribbed. Leaves ovate to rhombic, truncate to obtuse at base, acute to acuminate or rarely obtuse at apex, (3)-5-15-(20) cm long, usually turning red in cooler part of year; seedling leaves broadly ovate, truncate at base; petioles greater than, equal to, or less than blade; stipules soon deciduous. Racemes up to 17 cm long, usually with few solitary long-pedicellate female flowers below or at base, and many clusters of (1)-3-4 short-pedicellate male flowers (racemes rarely unisexual, or with 1-2 male flowers clustered with upper females); each group of flowers subtended by a bract and 2 prominent glands. Male flowers: stamens 4-10; perianth segments 2. Female flowers: ovary 2-celled; styles 2. Fruit more or less smooth, grooved between the 2 cells, ridged on keels, glaucous, 8-10 mm diameter (Webb et alo 1988).
Similar taxa
Can be distinguished from the endemic H. polyandrus by the clustered male flowers and female flowers with 2 styles and 2 -celled ovary.
Flowering
September, October, November
Year naturalised
1980
Origin
NSW to New Guinea
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental.
Life Cycle Comments
Perennial. Appears to be long lived (George Wilson, pers. comm.).
Dispersal
Bird dispersed (Lisa Forester 1996). Other methods of movement include gravity, water and machinery especially roadside mowers (Tony McCluggage pers. comm.).
Tolerances
Shade tolerant (Lisa Forester 1996).