Glochidion

Cheese tree Glochidion ferdinandi Is a common and vital component of the forest. For a pioneer species, it's unusually sensitive to frost and therefore grows best where it has some cover. The skeletal branches of dead privet are ideal for this.

It is also a favorite browse for our swamp wallabies, especially during the winter. For that reason, we have to identify seedlings and protect them with guards until they are tall enough to take care of themselves.

In the newly-germinated seedling, note the prominent seed leaves (cotyledons) and the pronounced central vein on the true leaves.

As the seedling gets bigger, the central vein remains prominent and the leaves are somewhat fleshy.

The lateral veins continue to get more noticeable. Leaves are alternate, not opposite on the stem, as those of privet are.