Common Name: Bullock Bush
Botanical Name: Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens
Family: SAPINDACEAE
Description:
Shrub to small tree, 3-5 m with neat, rounded crown. Rough, grey bark cracked at base, extending to upper branches. Olive to greyish-green, thin, stiff, alternate, 5-15 cm long by 5-10 mm wide, tiny hairs on both surfaces. Small, cream flower without petals in short-branched terminal clusters. Spring to summer. 1-4 (usually 2) hard rounded lobes, glossy black seed with a large red aril. Autumn (may vary with seasonal conditions).
Shrub to small tree, 3-5 m with neat, rounded crown. Rough, grey bark cracked at base, extending to upper branches. Olive to greyish-green, thin, stiff, alternate, 5-15 cm long by 5-10 mm wide, tiny hairs on both surfaces. Small, cream flower without petals in short-branched terminal clusters. Spring to summer. 1-4 (usually 2) hard rounded lobes, glossy black seed with a large red aril. Autumn (may vary with seasonal conditions).
Natural Distribution:
Widespread throughout the northern low rainfall parts of SA including the Murray region, Eyre Peninsula and Northern Lofty. Extends into WA, Qld, NSW and Vic. Common to mallee and northern arid areas.
Widespread throughout the northern low rainfall parts of SA including the Murray region, Eyre Peninsula and Northern Lofty. Extends into WA, Qld, NSW and Vic. Common to mallee and northern arid areas.
Notes:
The species name oleifolius is derived from the Latin 'olea' (olive) and 'folius' (leaf), referring to the leaves being similar to that of olive trees. The glossy black seed and large red aril attracts a range of bird species.
The species name oleifolius is derived from the Latin 'olea' (olive) and 'folius' (leaf), referring to the leaves being similar to that of olive trees. The glossy black seed and large red aril attracts a range of bird species.
