Onion Cedar - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Owenia cepiodora

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

Onion Cedar is a tall evergreen tree, up to 30 m, with a dense glossy dark-green crown. Its bark is dark brown with vertical fissures. If the bark is cut, a pink-red underbark is exposed, and the tree exudes a red sap with a strong onion odour. The leaves are composed of 13 – 19 glossy dark green leaflets 10 – 15 cm long. Flowers are white, in clusters at the ends of branchlets. The globular red fruit are 15 – 20 mm wide, with white pulpy flesh surrounding a stone with one or two seeds. The timber resembles that of Red Cedar but has a characteristic onion odour.

Distribution

North from the Richmond River in north-east NSW extending just across the border into Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Subtropical and dry rainforest on or near soils derived from basalt.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for development, agriculture, and road-works.
Climate change
Weed invasion, primarily Lantana camara.
Activation of acid sulfate soils
Grazing by domestic stock.
Fire.
Current or potential future land management practices do not support species conservation.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare and bush regeneration teams protect known populations.
Protect rainforest areas from fire.
Fence areas of known habitat to protect seedlings from grazing stock.
Remove weeds where they threaten adult plants or regeneration.
Protect areas of rainforest habitat from clearing or development.
Expand and connect remaining remnant patches of habitat.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	East of Bonalbo

Images

Plant form, in cultivation (Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens). <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/orkology" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology</a>

Plant form, in cultivation (Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens). Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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