About Rhodosphaera rhodanthema (F.Muell.) Engl.
Rhodosphaera rhodanthema (F.Muell.) Engl. is a medium-sized tree that grows to around 25 metres tall, with a trunk diameter of 75 cm. Its trunk is cylindrical, with buttressing at the base, and its bark is scaly and dark brown. Leaves on coppicing shoots or juvenile trees are lobed, and somewhat resemble oak leaves. Mature leaves are pinnate, alternate, and bear six to twelve leaflets each. Leaflets measure 4 to 7 cm long and 1 to 2 cm broad. They are positioned more or less opposite each other on the leaf stem, and are not equal at the leaf base. Leaflet shape ranges from elliptic to elliptic lanceolate, with a blunt tip. Leaflets sometimes have minor serrations, and are otherwise smooth-edged. The midrib of the leaf is raised on both upper and lower surfaces. Red flowers grow in panicles between September and October. Male and female flowers sometimes occur on separate trees. The fruit is a shiny dark brown drupe, 1 cm in diameter, containing a single flat seed around 9 mm long. Fruit ripens from February to June. Regeneration of this species is fairly slow but reliable. Scraping or filing the seed is recommended to improve germination rates. The tree's yellow timber is well regarded, as it is fine grained and has attractive figuring. Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is also considered an appealing ornamental tree for parks.
