Discover Nature at JCU Plants Plants on Cairns Campus Macaranga tanarius

Macaranga tanarius

Image of Macaranga tanarius leaves and flowers

(Macaranga)

FAMILY

Euphorbiaceae

Species

Macaranga tanarius

Common name

Macaranga

Flower colour; life form

Cream; shrub, small tree

Campus

Cairns, Townsville

Description

This popular landscaping shrub or small tree has peltate leaves to 30 cm diameter, the veins radiate out from the centre where the petiole is attached. The cream flowers are in clusters in a panicle with each cluster being subtended by a fringed yellowish bract. Fruit a capsule, whitish powder on the outside, green projections.

JCU acknowledges the Yirrganydji and Djabugay Peoples for sharing their Indigenous Knowledge and pay respect to the elders past and present. “Known as Dokoo-ral. Leaves used for wrapping and cooking food. Inner bark stripped for fibre twine, skirts and wrapping parcels. Manual tools made from tree such as spears”.

Additional image:

Image of Macaranga tanarius leaves and flowers