Commersonia
Often called brush kurrajong, this rapidly growing pioneer tree is known in our valley as hazel, presumably because of the similarity of its leaf to the introduced hazel nut tree (Corylus species).
This plant is a sucker and, by reproducing in this way, a single tree can become grove and so advance into open areas. Then, other rainforest seedlings can take advantage of the shade and shelter. Judging by the way its leaves are eaten, it must provide food for many insects and therefore for birds.
Seedlings of this species were among the first trees to form a canopy after casual grazing by cattle stopped on our site.
More from the web:
