Alstonia muelleriana

Alstonia muelleriana is an evergreen tree growing to between in height. The leaves are simple and produced in whorls of three or four. They measure up to and are attached to the twigs by a petiole about long. They are softly hairy on both sides (less so on the top) and have up to 18 lateral veins either side of the midrib. The inflorescences are terminal or axillary panicles up to long. The small flowers are about diameter and are 5-merous, with five green sepals and five white/cream petals. The fruit is a green dehiscent follicle, measuring around or more in length and diameter. At maturity they turn brown and split longitudinally, releasing numerous small, hairy seeds that are dispersed by the wind. ==Taxonomy==

This species was first described in 1928 by the Czech botanist Karel Domin, who published his description in the book Bibliotheca Botanica. Etymology The genus name Alstonia was raised by the Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1811, in honour of his countryman Charles Alston. The species epithet muelleriana is in honour of the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. ==Distribution and habitat==

The range of the hard milkwood is restricted to a small part of northeastern Queensland, from near Rossville to the Paluma Range N.P. north of Townsville, and also the southwestern parts of Papua New Guinea. It grows in rainforests, but is also found in drier forests and is common in regrowth or disturbed areas. ==Conservation==

This species is listed by both the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the IUCN as least concern. The IUCN states in its assessment that the population is stable and that no current or future threats have been identified. ==Gallery==

File:Alstonia-muelleriana-SF22210-01.jpg |Small tree File:Alstonia-muelleriana-SF22191-01.jpg |Foliage File:Alstonia-muelleriana-SF22210-03.jpg |Foliage and unripe fruit ==References==