Cryptocarya foetida is a medium sized tree growing to 25 m tall. Leaves are oval shaped with bluntly pointed tip, 5-12 cm long, 2-6 cm wide, with a dark green upper surface. The main leaf vein is prominent and characteristically crooked. Flowers are arranged in small clusters, are cream coloured and emit an offensive odor. Fruits are 1 cm in diameter, fleshy, globular and purple to black coloured. The fruit enclose a single seed that is readily dispersed by fruit-eating birds.
Stinking Cryptocarya |
Cryptocarya foetida
Status: Vulnerable on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Cryptocarya foetida
Threats The main identified threats to Stinking Cryptocarya are localised extinction due to small populations clearing and fragmentation of habitat for coastal development; agriculture and roadwork invasion of habitat by weeds; such as Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata) trampling by visitors when accessing beach areas through littoral rainforest and fire (DECC; 2005a).