Picrodendraceae

Petalostigma

Petalostigma

Genus of Australian trees and shrubs in the family Picrodendraceae, with 3–4 species endemic to Australia (mainly Queensland and Northern Territory). They are trees of tropical dry forest, savanna and coastal areas. The best-known species are P. pubescens and P. quadriloculare, which produce resinous fruits of vivid colour (orange-red) used in Aboriginal traditional medicine. The timber is hard and durable. The genus name refers to the petaliform (petal-shaped) stigma of the female flowers.