Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) 25 Fresh Seeds
 
 
Alphitonia excelsa, the Red Ash, sometimes called Leatherjacket or, when found growing on the coast, Coopers Wood, is a member of the Rhamnaceae family, which contains sixteen Australian genera and is well represented beyond Australia.
 
 
Apart from its value as an ornamental tree, Alphitonia excelsa serves as a fodder plant for both sheep and cattle, and is not as astringent as some edible species. Its wood is useful for tool handles, cabinet work and building purposes, and when first cut is a light colour, gradually darkening at the heart.
 
 
When planted in a well-drained position it makes a splendid shade tree which can grow to a height of about 21 m in warm moist conditions; or it can remain as a relatively smaller tree when grown in open situations in Canberra or similar climates.
 
 
It can be easily recognised when the young shoots are bruised or broken, as it gives off a peculiar odour similar to sarsparilla.
 
 
A. excelsa is widely distributed in the Eucalyptus forests of the Northern Territory and Queensland and in the coastal regions from northern Queensland to the south coast of NSW, in or near rainforests. It has also been identified growing in Brigalow scrub in the interior of NSW, in areas such as Narrabri. The specimens growing in the northern part of the country have a much rougher bark than those found in the southern regions, the latter having smooth or nearly smooth bark.
Propagation is from seed which germinates fairly easily, and the species can be regarded as a comparatively fast growing tree.
 
 
Packet contains 25 seeds.
 
 
Care and propagation notes included.