Tuckeroo

Cupaniopsis anacardioides, with common names tuckeroo, carrotwood, beach tamarind and green-leaved tamarind, is a species of flowering tree in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, that is native to eastern and northern Australia. The usual habitat is littoral rainforest on sand or near estuaries.^[3] The range of natural distribution is from Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales (34.8° S) to Queensland, northern Australia and New Guinea.^[4][5]

Cupaniopsis anacardioides is an invasive species in some parts of the United States, primarily Florida and Hawaii.^[6][7]

Description

Growing up to 10 metres (33 ft) with a stem diameter of 50 centimetres (20 in). The bark is smooth grey or brown with raised horizontal lines. The bases of the trees are usually flanged.^[4][5]

Leaves are pinnate and alternate with six to ten leaflets. These are not toothed, and are egg-shaped to elliptic-oblong, and 7 to 10 centimetres (2.8 to 3.9 in) long. The tips are often notched or blunt. Leaf veins are evident on both sides. The veins are mostly raised underneath.^[4][5]

Greenish white flowers form on panicles from May to July. The fruit is an orange to yellow capsule with three lobes. There is a glossy dark brown seed inside each lobe. The seeds are covered in a bright orange aril. Fruit ripens from October to December, attracting many birds including Australasian figbird, olive-backed oriole and pied currawong.^[4][5]

Germination from fresh seed occurs without difficulty, particularly if the seed is removed from the aril and soaked for a few days.^[4][5]

Leaves and flowers of the tuckeroo at Wyrrabalong National Park, Australia

Flowers & early fruit, Palm Beach, Sydney, Australia

Uses

It is an attractive plant as an ornamental or a street tree, particularly in coastal areas as it is salt tolerant.^[8]

drawing by Margaret Flockton

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cupaniopsis anacardioides.