About Canarium australianum F.Muell.
Canarium australianum F.Muell. is a tree that reaches up to 30 m (98 ft) in height. Its trunk has rough grey bark, and may be buttressed. The large compound leaves of this species can grow to 37 cm (15 in) long, and carry between 7 and 15 leaflets. Leaflets are typically around 14 by 5 cm (5.5 by 2.0 in), but may grow larger. Leaflets are usually glabrous; the midrib and lateral veins are raised on the leaflet upper surface, and have a distinct pale yellow color. Inflorescences are panicles 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) long, produced from leaf axils. The flowers are fragrant, with 3 pale green or cream petals that measure 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long. This is a dioecious species: functionally female pistillate and functionally male staminate flowers grow on separate individual plants. The fruit is an ovoid drupe, dark blue or grey in color, measuring 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) long and holding a single seed. Commonly called scrub turpentine, this species is widely distributed across northern Australia. Its range extends from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through the Northern Territory, to eastern Queensland, where it occurs from the Torres Strait Islands south almost to Mackay. It also grows in New Guinea. It inhabits rainforest, monsoon forest and open forests, at altitudes ranging from near sea level to around 700 m (2,300 ft). All three recognized varieties of Canarium australianum are found in Australia, while only two varieties, C. a. var. australianum and C. a. var. glabrum, occur in New Guinea.
