On our Magnetic Island outing last month we noticed an attractive native tree in fruit (photo above) but we failed to identify it. Later the photo was scrutinised by one of our very knowledgeable members who is currently working far from home. He sent back the answer: the tree is Harpullia hillii, commonly called blunt-leaved tulipwood. Thank you Cam, for your sharp eyes and botanical expertise!
Harpullia hillii (Sapindaceae) is endemic to eastern Australia, occuring naturally in dry rainforest, gallery forest and littoral rainforest in Queensland and New South Wales. There are only a few records near Townsville, including Russell Cumming’s observation near Cape Cleveland (photo above) and ours at Magnetic Island. It seems we are close to the northern limit of this species’ natural range.
Harpullia hillii bears panicles of small whitish flowers (photo above) that develop into showy clusters of orange fruit (photo below).
When ripe, each lobe of the fruit contains a single large seed wrapped in a red aril (photo below).
Propagation from fresh seed is reported to be straight forward. With its dense leafy crown and attractive fruits, Harpullia hillii could be a desirable shade tree in a park or large garden.