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Stenocarpus spp.
firewheel tree
Eastern Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia
Overview
Stenocarpus is a genus of about 25 species of evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Proteaceae, native to rainforests and open forests of eastern Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Malesian region. Plants range widely in size, from shrubs 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall to rainforest trees reaching 80-100 feet (25-30 m) in habitat, though cultivated specimens are usually far smaller. The leaves are leathery and glossy, varying from entire and lance-shaped to deeply lobed within a single tree. The genus is known for flower clusters arranged like the spokes of a wheel; in the firewheel tree, S. sinuatus, these umbels of red-and-orange tubular flowers open on the trunk and older branches in late summer and autumn. Woody, boat-shaped follicles follow and release winged seeds. Stenocarpus grows in fertile, well-drained soils in warm-temperate to subtropical climates and is frost sensitive when young. Growth is slow, and trees raised from seed may take many years to reach flowering size, with bloom often sparse in cooler or drier conditions.
Native Range
Stenocarpus is native to eastern Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and parts of Malesia. The firewheel tree, S. sinuatus, grows in subtropical rainforest of New South Wales and Queensland, while other species occur in drier forests and on New Caledonian soils.Suggested Uses
Stenocarpus is used as a specimen and shade tree in subtropical and warm-temperate gardens, parks, and streets, with the firewheel tree grown for its wheel-shaped flower clusters. Shrubbier species suit screening and mixed plantings. The timber of some species is used in cabinetwork.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 100'
Width/Spread6' - 25'
Bloom Information
Flowering is mainly in late summer and autumn, roughly February to May in the Southern Hemisphere, with some variation among species. The wheel-shaped clusters open over several weeks and are visited by nectar-feeding birds. Young trees often flower sparsely until well established.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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