Flindersia spp.

Crow's ash

Rutaceae

Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Moluccas

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Flindersia spp. is a genus of about 17 species of evergreen to semi-deciduous trees in the citrus family (Rutaceae), native to rainforests and drier forests of Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Moluccas. Most are medium to large timber trees reaching 50-130 feet (15-40 m) tall, with straight trunks and dense, rounded to spreading crowns. The leaves are usually pinnately compound with glossy leaflets that are dotted with oil glands and aromatic when crushed, a trait shared across the citrus family. Small white to cream flowers are borne in branched terminal panicles in spring and summer. The fruit is a woody capsule covered in short prickles or warts that splits open into five boat-shaped valves to release flattened, winged seeds. Several species, including F. australis (crow's ash) and F. brayleyana (Queensland maple), yield close-grained cabinet and flooring timber and are grown in plantations and as street and park trees. The genus is frost-sensitive when young, and most species need a warm, frost-free climate and ample space to develop, which limits their use to large landscapes.

Native Range

Flindersia spp. is native to eastern and northern Australia, with its center of diversity in Queensland, and extends to New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Moluccas. It is not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Flindersia spp. species are grown as shade, street, and park trees in subtropical and tropical regions, and in plantations for their close-grained timber. The aromatic foliage and prickled capsules add interest in large gardens and arboreta. Their eventual size suits parks, rural properties, and other open settings rather than small yards.

How to Identify

Identified by pinnately compound, glossy leaves dotted with translucent oil glands that are aromatic when crushed, on medium to large rainforest trees. The woody seed capsule, covered in short prickles and splitting into five boat-shaped valves that release winged seeds, is characteristic of the genus. Branched terminal sprays of small white to cream flowers appear in the warmer months.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 130'

Width/Spread20' - 50'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, from about September to December in the Southern Hemisphere range. The small white to cream flowers are clustered in terminal panicles and attract bees and other insects. Woody prickled capsules develop over the following months and persist on the tree before splitting.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to cream

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

Several decades to full size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Flindersia spp. grows in full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, free-draining soil with reliable moisture, reflecting its rainforest origins. Young trees are frost-sensitive and grow fastest in warm, humid, frost-free conditions, while established trees tolerate short dry spells. Plants are raised from seed, which germinates readily when fresh. Growth is moderately fast on good soils, and trees develop deep root systems that make transplanting of older specimens difficult. Most species need ample room for the spreading crown and large eventual size. Pests and diseases are few in cultivation.

Pruning

Formative pruning of young trees removes competing leaders and low branches to build a clear trunk. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged wood. Cuts are made in the warmer months when growth is active and wounds close quickly.