Syncarpia

Syncarpia (Australian turpentine; family Myrtaceae) A genus of large forest trees, which often reach massive size, up to 50m in height. The bark is persistent and fibrous. The leaves are of 2 forms, like those of Eucalyptus. The juvenile leaf is elliptical, pubescent, and short-stalked; the adult leaves are opposite, pedunculate, ovate or elliptical, often grouped to appear as though they are whorled. They are glossy and green on the upper surface, and hairy or pubescent below. The flowers are held in globular heads on a thick stalk with several flowers in the head. The sepals are short and rounded, the 4 or 5 petals free. The stamens are long, numerous, and free, often held in 2 rows. The single style is slender. The capsules are 3-celled, hard and woody, with a persistent calyx, and contain many small seeds. The timber is valuable, being heavy, hard, and durable. It is used in construction work in Australia. The trees are sometimes planted for shade and as wind-breaks. There are 5 species, occurring in rain forests from the Moluccas to Queensland.