Anopterus macleayanus

Anopterus macleayanus, commonly known as Queensland laurel or Macleay laurel, is a shrub or small tree in the family Escalloniaceae. It is native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.[2]

Anopterus macleayanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Escalloniales
Family:	Escalloniaceae
Genus:	Anopterus
Species:	A. macleayanus
Binomial name
Anopterus macleayanus F.Muell.[1]

The species was formally described in 1859 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, having been collected from the summit of Mt Lindesay.[1] It was named in honour of Sir William Macleay. It is one of two species that belong to the genus Anopterus.[3]

Anopterus macleayanus can grow up to 15 metres (50 ft) high and has oblanceolate (spear-shaped) leaves that are 10-to-30 cm long (3.9-to-11.8 in) and 2-to-4 cm wide (0.79-to-1.57 in) with blunt serrated margins. The juvenile leaves may be considerably larger. The petioles and leaf bases are red-tinged. The white flowers occur in racemes between October and December (mid spring to early summer) in its native range.[2]

Anopterus macleayanus is a plant of warm-temperate and subtropical rainforest from the Comboyne Plateau in New South Wales northwards into Queensland.[2]

The thrips species Thrips setipennis was recovered from the flowers of Anopterus macleayanus, suggesting it may be a pollinator.[4]

Its long leaves with wavy margins and red-pink highlights give it horticultural potential.[5] Anopterus macleayanus grows best in part-shaded positions in well-drained soil in the garden, with added water during the summer.[3] As a rainforest floor plant, it requires a sheltered position when becoming established in the garden.[6] It is resilient but can be slow-growing. It can be grown in containers,[3] even as an indoor plant.[5]