Tristaniopsis
Water gum Tristaniopsis laurina
The seeds are easy to gather as long as you catch them as the fruits are just bursting.
Young plants of watergum have rather thick, almost succulent leaves, with a prominent midrib.
Freshly germinated seedlings have cotyledons similar to those of the related eucalypts
A small plant near the parent tree has been potted up, taking care to keep a clod of soil around the fine roots.
Once grown on, water gum are far hardier to being exposed to frost and sun than are most rainforest plants. As a consequence they are ideal shelter for more sensitive species
Water gums do not tolerate deep shade. Here, an old tree has obtained the light it needs by growing out of the rainforest canopy so as to overhang Ourimbah Creek. It is one of the largest specimens locally and has a possum-sized hole in the vertical branch (centre).