About Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F.Muell.) Benth.
Xanthostemon chrysanthus is a tree that reaches up to 25 m (82 ft) in height, with a rough-barked trunk that may be buttressed. In its preferred habitat alongside rainforest creeks, the trunk is often gnarled and twisted. It has a dense crown, with dark glossy green leaves clustered toward the ends of branches. The leaves are simple, meaning they have no lobes or divisions, arranged alternately or in whorls. They are generally elliptic in shape, growing up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long and 9.5 cm (3.7 in) wide. The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary panicle that forms dense, showy heads of golden flowers. The green calyx has 5 lobes and measures about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) wide; petals are yellow or yellow-green, and up to 9 mm (0.35 in) long. The most visible feature of the flower is its numerous bright yellow stamens, which grow up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, bringing the total diameter of the flower to around 5 cm (2.0 in). Flowering can happen at any time of year, especially after heavy rain. The fruit is a woody capsule about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) in diameter, holding 2 to 4 small black seeds around 4 mm (0.16 in) long. When the capsule matures, it splits open to release the seeds. The native range of golden penda, the common name of this species, extends from the Seaview Range near Ingham northward to the area surrounding the Pascoe River on Cape York Peninsula. It grows most commonly alongside creeks and rivers in rainforest, at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Its abundant flowering attracts many nectar-eating birds, including rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) and friarbirds of the genus Philemon. Xanthostemon chrysanthus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens and park landscaping, where it only reaches around 12 m (39 ft) in height. Its horticultural popularity comes from its profuse, attractive flowering. It can be propagated from either seed or cuttings, but plants grown from cuttings flower sooner. It grows well in subtropical gardens that have good drainage and a sunny position, but in cooler climates such as Sydney, it does not flower as heavily as it does in its native range.
