Queensland fire-wheel-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Queensland fire-wheel-tree
• fire-wheel-tree
• firetree
• tulip-flower
• tuliptree
• wheel-of-fire
• wheel-of-fire-tree
• wheeltree
• white beefwood
• white silky-oak
• white-oak
• yiel-yiel
• Firewheel tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cybele sinuata
• Agnostus sinuatus
• Stenocarpus sinuosus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Proteales, it is situated within the family Proteaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Stenocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across parts of Oceania and Australia. Within the Papuasia region, it can be found growing in New Guinea. Its distribution also extends into the Australian continent, specifically covering the state of Queensland. Additionally, the species is present in the southeastern region of Australia, specifically in New South Wales. Together, these areas define the natural habitat where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stenocarpus sinuatus is fundamentally characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives within the complex structural layers of tropical and subtropical rainforest ecosystems. In these low-altitude regions, the species typically occupies the subcanopy or canopy layers, benefiting from the high humidity, consistent warmth, and significant annual rainfall characteristic of these biomes. Its distribution is closely tied to nutrient-rich, well-drained soils found in lowland forest floors, where the presence of dense organic matter supports its growth requirements. By inhabiting these stable, moisture-retentive habitats, the plant integrates into a diverse web of ecological interactions, relying on the specific microclimates provided by the lowland canopy to regulate light interception and moisture availability.

Habitat :

Lowland

Morphology

The morphology of Stenocarpus sinuatus is characterized by its substantial stature and robust structure, typically manifesting as a large, woody tree that can reach an average height of 40 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit any parasitic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic qualities, such as being a hemi-epiphyte or a holoepiphyte. Its growth form is consistently that of a tree, defined by a permanent woody composition that supports its significant vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Stenocarpus sinuatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic efficiency and carbon fixation processes. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its gas exchange and light interception capabilities, with leaf dimensions exhibiting specific structural variations. The leaves typically maintain a length ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while the width varies between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm. These physiological parameters suggest a compact leaf structure optimized for its specific ecological niche and metabolic requirements.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Stenocarpus sinuatus is characterized by the production of specialized fruit structures classified as follicles. Within these follicles, the plant produces seeds that exhibit specific morphological weight characteristics, ranging from a minimum seed mass of 0.04608 g to a maximum seed mass of 0.07544 g. Across the species, the average seed mass is recorded at a mean of 0.056905 g, reflecting the specific energetic investment the plant allocates to its propagules for successful dispersal and establishment.

Fruit type :

follicle

Seed mass max:

0.07544 g

Seed mass mean:

0.056905 g

Seed mass min:

0.04608 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Stenocarpus sinuatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Stenocarpus sinuatus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include NEOPHYTADIENE, VITAMIN E.

NEOPHYTADIENE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

VITAMIN E

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Stenocarpus sinuatus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiaging.

Antiaging

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Stenocarpus sinuatus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include SSHF, leaf methanol extract.

Sshf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf methanol extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)