Syn: C. parlatorei (Silba 1986).
A straight tree growing up to 40 m tall. Bark is subfibrous, furrowed. Branches are spreading. Mature leaves are 2-3 mm long, dorsal surface acutely keeled; juvenile leaves 10-15 mm long, sharp-pointed, often remaining even on shoots bearing cones (see photo). Cones, 20-30 mm in diameter, are solitary on thick fruiting branchlets, remaining on the branches long after maturity. Cone scales 6 (8 if borne on juvenile branches), each scale with a small dorsal point near the apex; columella very short, 3-lobed or 3-partite or 4-lobed in cones on juvenile branches (Harden 1990).
Australia: New South Wales and Queensland. It grows in two regions; one from Newcastle in NSW to SE Queensland, and the other in higher altitudes of north-east Queensland in the Atherton and Mt. Windsor Tablelands. This species prefers moist habitats, close to rainforest, and usually is found growing in poor soils (Iedema [no date]).
Zone 10 (cold hardiness limit between -1°C and +4.4°C) (Bannister and Neuner 2001).
"Growth rings were examined in trees of Callitris macleayana from the Atherton Tableland in Queensland, Australia. The climate is tropical with a distinct dry season that induces regular annual growth rings. A correlation of 0.74 was found between annual ring widths and the duration of the wet seasons. The potential of this species for dendrochronological study is apparent" (Ash 1983b). As of 2002.01.22, some interesting work is being done by Ingo Heinrich at Australian National University, but I gather nothing has yet been published.
IBIS (Integrated Botanical Information System). [no date]. Australian plant common name database. www.anbg.gov.au/common.names/, accessed 2012.11.23.
Mueller, F.J.H. von. 1860. Essay on the plants collected by Mr. Eugene Fitzalan, during Lieut. Smith's expedition to the estuary of the Burdekin. Melbourne: John Ferres, Government Printer. P.19. Available: Hathi Trust, accessed 2012.11.25.
Farjon (2005) provides a detailed account, with illustrations.
Hauser, J. 1992. Fragments of green - an identification field guide for rainforest plants of the greater Brisbane region. Queensland: Rainforest Conservation Society.
Nicholson, Nan and Hugh. 1985, 1988, 1991,1994. Australian Rainforest Plants I, II, III & IV. Australia: Terania Rainforest Publishing.
Last Modified 2012-11-25