White Cedar

Description:

White Cedar belongs to the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is a deciduous, shade tree with a rounded crown. The tree can reach height of 12m at maturity and having a width of 6-8m (sometimes up to 30m in its natural environment). The plant has an average lifespan around 20 years. The flowers are small with pale purple and white petals of five. The flowers are often found growing in clusters. The stamens are clustered into a cylindrical dark purple tube 6-8mm long. The fruit of the White Cedar is round (1.5cm in diameter), fleshy and yellow in colour when mature. Fruits are poisonous to humans and some other mammals but birds are able to eat the fruits and thus disperse the seed through their droppings. Some reports suggest that 6-8 fruits can be fatal to humans. White Cedar is often planted as a shade tree because of its dense leave covering. It is planted in parks, public gardens, stream banks and along side walks or road side. The fragrant lilac flowers and yellow fruits of the White Cedar make it an appealing ornamental tree. The hard seeds of the plant can also be used in art and crafts to make beads for rosaries.

Habitat:

White Cedar is native to Australia and South East Asia. It is distributed mainly in the northern part of Australia mainly in Queensland and eastern New South Wales. It is also found in the Kimberleys. The plant prefers open sun and can do well in partial shade too. It is hardy to most frosts and can withstand extended dry period. It can also adapt to a wide range of soil conditions.