Cochlospermum fraseri Planch.
BIXACEAE
Synonymy
Common Name: Cochlospermum, Kapok Bush, Cotton Tree, Kapok Tree
Aboriginal Language Names: Jaminjung, Ngaliwurru, Nungali: Galijba (Jam, Ngal, Nung). Jaru: wayina, gunyjali, gunyja.. MalakMalak, Matngala: Tyety. Mangarrayi, Yangman: Biwarrg (Mang, Yang). Ngarinyman: Galijba, Bulgi.. Wagiman: wardi. Warray: gurnak
Description: Small tree or shrub to 7 m tall; stems and leaves glabrous or puberulous-pilose to velvety; inflorescences puberulous-pilose to velvety. Petiole to 155 mm long. Lamina orbicular to widely depressed ovate in outline, 22-190 mm long, 25-210 mm wide, palmatifid, shallowly lobed or divided up to half its length; base cordate, margins crenate, lobe apex obtuse or rarely acute. Inflorescence up to 30 cm long; bracts caducous, widely ovate to triangular, 1.5-8 mm long, apex acuminate to obtuse. Pedicel to 26 mm long. Outer sepals ovate to lanceolate, 7-12 mm long, 3-7 mm wide, puberulous, red-streaked; inner sepals ovate to obovate, 10-18 mm long, 6-15 mm wide, puberulous, red-streaked. Petals 19-38 mm long, 10-26 mm wide, red-streaked, glabrous. Stamens numerous, filaments yellow, glabrous; anthers 2.5-3.2 mm long. Style c. 11 mm long. Capsule obovoid, 55-90 mm long, 35-48 mm diam., brown, glabrous. Seeds c. 5-8 mm long, 3.5-5 mm wide.
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Notes: Two subspecies, which occur throughout the species range, are recognised. The subsp. fraseri, predominantly found from Katherine north to Melville Island and extending to western Arnhem Land, has usually glabrous leaves and bracts which are about 2 mm long. The subsp. heteronemum (F. Muell.) Poppendieck, mostly found between Katherine and the Ord River (W.A.), usually has pubescent leaves and bracts 40-58 mm long. Poppendieck (1980) indicated a third subspecies may be recognised, this being based on a few specimens from W.A. characterised by deeply incised leaves and lanceolate floral bracts.
Distribution
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Specimens
Observations
Cultivated
Introduced Status: Native to NT
Distribution Notes: Australia. In the N.T., distributed across the Top End.
Bioregion: Central Kimberley, Dampierland, Darwin Coastal, Gulf Fall and Uplands, Northern Kimberley, Ord Victoria Plain, Pine Creek, Victoria Bonaparte
Habitat: Found in open eucalypt woodland on a variety of substrates, including rocky hills with gravelly soil, sand, laterite, dolomite and heavy clay soils.
Ecological Attributes
Flowering: Apr-Oct
Fruiting: Jun-Mar
Other Attributes
Conservation Status (TPWCA): Least Concern
Restricted Range Taxon: N
NT Parks: Litchfield National Park, Nitmiluk National Park
Flora Description Source: Flora of the Darwin Region
PDF Factsheet
Specimens