Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
[ Site Map ] [
Rainforest Search Engine ]
Back ] Home ] Up ] Next ]


Ribbonwood / Idiot Fruit


Photo: Courtesy of  Damon Ramsey

Idiot fruit or Ribbonwood, Idiospermum australiense

The 'Idiot fruit' or 'Ribbonwood' can be a fairly big tree, the trunk covered in many small bumps. It drops a large brown baseball-like fruit that is frequently seen split into segments (pictured). Although it was first discovered and named over 100 years ago, it was ‘lost’ and not rediscovered until 1971 when several cattle died from eating the seeds on a property in the Daintree. After it's rediscovery a botanist re-classified the tree into its very own one species family, the Idiospermaceae, although some scientists believe it is a southern hemisphere member of the existing family Calycanthaceae. In recent years the plant has received quite a bit of research attention conducted by Cairns JCU on aspects such as the reproductive biology, and how the two isolated populations north and south of Cairns are evolving differently.

Script: Courtesy of  Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide


Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
PH & Fax: 07 4095 3754 International: 61 7 4095 3754

http://www.rainforest-australia.com/accommodation


Book Online Now

A great Australian rainforest experience

Click Here To Send An Email

[Accommodation ]
[One Bedroom Lodge] [Five Bedroom Lodge] [Guest Lounge
[Directions] [Bookings] [Weather] [Search Engines]
[
Birdwatching Opportunities at The Chambers] [Bushwalking Opportunities at The Chambers]
[Rainforest Environment Surrounding The Chambers] [Nocturnal Animals at The Chambers]
[
Atherton Tableland Natural Attractions You Can See During Your Stay at The Chambers]
[Travel Information for Australia]
[ Tour Group Photos ]

All content, layout and design in this website
are protected by copyright 1998-2017 John Chambers.