Angophora hispida

Dwarf apple grows as a small tree or mallee to high. It has greyish flaky bark. Sitting on petiole 0–4 mm long, the leaves are ovate to elliptic in shape, and measure in length and across, with a blunt rounded apex, and a cordate (heart-shaped) base. The flowers fall leaving the cup-shaped woody seed pods or fruit, which measure long and in diameter. These shed the mature seed in February and March. The oval-shaped seeds are brown and flat, measuring long. ==Taxonomy==

Common names include dwarf apple and scrub apple, and banda in the Cadigal language. Loddiges Nursery called it the Rough Metrosideros Antonio José Cavanilles also described it the same year as Angophora cordifolia, having been collected somewhere near the shoreline in Port Jackson. The latter name remained in use until 1976, when A. hispida was erected by Don Blaxell, who had established that Smith's name had been published four months earlier in May (contrasting with Cavanillles in September) of 1797. Smith had been sent a specimen by Surgeon-General White, which flowered in 1798. He went on to publish a fuller description accompanied by an illustration by James Sowerby in 1805. Brooker and colleagues consider it to be more closely related to the broad-leaved apple (A. subvelutina). Hybrids with Angophora costata and A. bakeri have been recorded. ==Distribution and habitat==

Dwarf apple is found only in the Sydney Basin, as far south as O’Hares Creek off the Georges River, on dry sandstone soils low in nutrients. The associated plant communities are heath, scrubland or open woodland, with such species as scribbly gums (Eucalyptus racemosa and E. haemastoma), red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), narrow-leaved apple (Angophora bakeri), heath banksia (Banksia ericifolia), rusty banksia (B. oblongifolia), silver banksia (B. marginata), conesticks (Petrophile pulchella), scrub sheoak (Allocasuarina distyla), wax flower (Eriostemon australasius) and parrot pea (Dillwynia floribunda). It grows from sea level to an altitude of and with an annual rainfall of . ==Ecology==

Dwarf apple regenerates from bushfire by resprouting from its woody base, known as a lignotuber, or epicormic shoots. It can flower within a year of being burnt and plays an important role as a food source for nectar-eating insects after bushfire. ==Use in horticulture==

This is a small tree suitable for larger gardens, its red new growth and profuse white flowers are attractive horticultural features. Flowering in summer, the flowers attract brightly coloured beetles. It requires a sunny aspect and good drainage to grow well. ==Gallery==

Angophora hispida DSC 4503 (27666550975).jpg|Opposite & decussate leaves Angophora hispida Dwarf apple (Angophora hispida) 31-10-2007 IMG 5392 (1807217983).jpg|(After fire) red hairy new growth Angophora hispida DSC 6592 (33368522242).jpg|Ribbed capsules Angophora hispida Angophora hispida DSC 0287 (6747735393).jpg|Flowers & new leaves Angophora hispida Buds 44670772685 d40aeff6c8 o.jpg|Red, hairy flower buds ==References==