76 
"White Ash " is the Gosford district name according to Mr. A. Murphy. 
Aboriginal Name. I know of none. 
Leaves. The margins are sometimes much more toothed than shown in the 
figure. I have also seen them, exceptionally, 9 inches long and 4 wide. 
Flowers. Particularly when in flower this tree may readily be confused 
with the Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) ; see Part VI of the present work. 
Comparison of the floral and fruit details will readily show the differences between 
the two trees, while the fresh bark of the Ceratopetalum has a pleasing odour faintly 
resembling that of Tonquin Bean. That of the present tree is less pleasant. 
Fruit. The fruit is translucent white and somewhat fleshy. Mr. E. H. F. 
Swain describes it as of agreeable acidity like loquats : useful for relieving thirst, 
but it is of inferior merit as an edible fruit. Because of the fruit it obtains its 
names " White Cherry " and " Crab Apple." 
Bark. The bark has an offensive odour resembling decayed pumpkins 
(N. Stewart) . It is smooth in young or moderately young trees, but becomes rough 
and corky in old ones. 
Buttress roots (so-called). The present species is one of many trees in 
which the so-called " Buttress-roots " are well developed. 
The buttresses proceed from the lower part of the trunk, are like planks, 
standing on end, and radiate from the trunk, forming partitions comparable to the 
stalls of a stable. This form is often seen in the rich brushes of our northern rivers, 
e.g., in figs, and a photograph of one, by no means of abnormal size, may be seen at 
page 157, Part XL, of the present work. They are really lateral expansions of the 
stem, which they strengthen and maintain in an erect position. In the struggle for 
existence in a tropical or sub-tropical forest these buttresses are admirably designed 
to support the long-trunked tree with comparatively small canopy. 
Wallace, in his "Tropical Nature and Other Essays," thus speaks of them: 
Others, again, and these are very characteristic, send out towards the base flat and wing-like 
projections. These projections are thin slabs radiating from the main trunk, from which they stand out 
like buttresses of a Gothic cathedral. They rise to various heights on the tree, from 5 or 6 to 20 or 30 
feet ; they often divide as they approach the ground, and sometimes twist and curve along the ground for 
a considerable distance, forming elevated and greatly compressed roots. These buttresses are sometimes 
so large that the spaces between them if roofed over would form huts capable of containing several 
persons. 
In coastal New South Wales and Queensland the list of species would be a 
very long one, and remains to be compiled. As further examples, may be mentioned 
Yellow Caribeen (Sloanea Woollsii F.v.M.), which displays enormous buttresses, 
extending in most fantastic shapes along the ground. It usually has buttresses of 
a thin and somewhat delicate nature, sometimes not more than 1 inch in thickness 
and very large. We have also Booyong (Tarrietia argyrodendron Benth.), Red 
Cedar ( Cedrela australis F.v.M.), which may be taken as examples. 
