''Xanthostemon arenarius'' is a species of tree in the myrtle family

Myrtaceae Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All spe ...

that is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...

to tropical north-eastern

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia.

Description

The tree usually grows to about 5–6 m in height, though is occasionally found as an emergent up to 20 m. The bark is plated and hard, grey to greyish brown. The spirally arranged leaves are about 5–9 cm long by 2–4.5 cm wide. The flowers are yellow, with the inflorescences crowded at the ends of seasonal growth. The ovoid fruits are about 10–14 mm in diameter, containing flat seeds 4.25–6 mm long.

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from a restricted locality on the east coast of Queensland's

Cape York Peninsula Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación ...

, north of

Cooktown Cooktown is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. Cooktown is at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repai ...

, in the

Cape Bedford A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment which drapes the wearer's back, arms, and chest, and connects at the neck. History Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon. The ...

Cape Flattery Cape Flattery () is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States. It is in Clallam County, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca joins the Pacific Ocean. It is also part of the Makah Reservation, and ...

area. It grows on the grey or white sandy soils of Quaternary

dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, fl ...

s, in closed forest dominated by ''

Asteromyrtus angustifolia ''Asteromyrtus angustifolia'' is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to north-eastern Queensland, Australia. Description The species grows as a shrub or small tree up to about 6 m in height, with a diameter r ...

'' or ''

Araucaria ''Araucaria'' (; original pronunciation: .ɾawˈka. ɾja is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Araucariaceae. There are 20 extant species in New Caledonia (where 14 species are endemic, see New Caledonian ''Araucaria ...

'', at an altitude of 20–80 m.

References

arenarius Myrtales of Australia Flora of Queensland Endemic flora of Australia Plants described in 1993 {{Myrtaceae-stub