Rhodosphaera rhodanthema
deep yellow wood
Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales)
Overview
Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is an evergreen rainforest tree in the cashew family, reaching 26-50 feet (8-15 m) in cultivation and taller in forest, with a dense, rounded to spreading crown. The pinnate leaves are 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long with 5-9 dark green leaflets, and new growth flushes pink to coppery red before hardening to green. In spring, branched panicles 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long carry many small red to pink flowers, followed on female trees by clusters of rounded reddish-brown drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide. The tree grows in subtropical and dry rainforest of eastern Australia and yields a close-grained yellow timber, the source of the common name deep yellow wood. It tolerates a range of soils but grows slowly, taking many years to reach flowering size. As a member of the cashew family, the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. The dense crown and coloured new growth suit it to parks, large gardens, and street planting where space allows.
Native Range
Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is native to eastern Australia, from southeastern Queensland to the north coast of New South Wales. It grows in subtropical, dry, and riverine rainforest, often on basaltic and alluvial soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade and canopy tree in parks, large gardens, and wide street verges in warm-temperate to subtropical districts. The pink new growth and dense crown suit avenue and specimen use where space allows. Slow growth and eventual size make it unsuited to small gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height26' - 50'
Width/Spread16' - 30'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, when branched panicles of small red to pink flowers open at the ends of the branches. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees, so only female trees set fruit. Reddish-brown drupes ripen through summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red to pinkFoliage Description
dark green with pink to red new growthGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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