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   Waterhousea floribunda (tree, shrub)  français     
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      Waterhousea floribunda fruit. Jardin Botanique Papeari (Photo: J.-Y. Meyer) - Click for full size   Waterhousea floribunda, Supermahina, Avril 2003 (Photo: J.-Y. Meyer) - Click for full size   Waterhousea floribunda flowers, Mahinaram, Juillet 2003 (Photo: J.-Y. Meyer) - Click for full size
    Taxonomic name: Waterhousea floribunda (F.Muell.) B.Hyland
    Synonyms: Eugenia floribunda, Syzygium floribunda, Syzygium floribundum F. Muell.
    Common names: weeping lilly pilly (English), weeping myrtle (English)
    Organism type: tree, shrub
    A native of Australia, Waterhousea floribunda grows up to 30 metres in height and has attractive weeping branches, which are used for shade and shelter. This tree has been introduced into French Polynesia and has become invasive on the Island of Moorea. The fruit is eaten and dispersed by birds; a fact to be mindful of when considering control methods or preventative measures for this plant.
    Description
    "Tree up to 30m tall, stem diameter up to 80cm, large trees often flanged at base, branches pendulous. Leaves with petioles 2-8mm long; blades narrowly oblong-ovate to narrowly oblong-elliptic, apex drawn out to pointed or rounded tip, base cuneate, margin slightly recurved, 5.5-17cm X 1.3-5cm, dark green and glossy above, dull and paler below, main lateral veins 15-40 pairs, oil glands numerous, fairly distinct. Flowers in panicles, pedicels up to 3mm long; hypanthium campanulate, calyx 3mm long; sepals 5, less than 1mm long; petals white, 5, imbricate, mostly cohering slightly and forming calyptra which is shed when flower opens; stamens ca 3-7mm long; style 4-10mm long. Fruits greenish, depressed globular, 1.3-2cm diameter, crowned by persistent calyx lobes." (PIER, 2002)
    Occurs in:
    natural forests, scrub/shrublands
    Habitat description
    Present in Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia. Mesic and wet low- to mid-elevation sites (mean annual rainfall > 1,500mm ; elevation < 600m in the Society Is.) (Jean-Yves Meyer, pers. comm. 2004).
    General impacts
    Forms dense stands.
    Uses
    Popularly used as shade/shelter in Australia
    Geographical range
    Native range: Australia.
    Known introduced range: French Polynesia, Tahiti and Moorea.
    Local dispersal methods
    Consumption/excretion: Fleshy fruits dispersed by birds. (PIER, 2002)
    Reproduction
    Fleshy fruits dispersed by birds. (PIER, 2002)
    Compiled by: IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
    Last Modified: Monday, 8 May 2006
ISSG Landcare Research NBII IUCN University of Auckland The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.