Len Webb Ecological Images Collection

Image No. 8-6

Life Forms -- Rainforest Different leaf shape convergence in a rainforest taxon (Syzygium) Between Kennedy River and Laura, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland 1969 Larger image (187K)

Syzygium suborbicularis (broad leaves, on left) and S. eucalyptoides (narrow leaves, above figure) side by side in savanna/low grassy woodland remnant. This is a typical myrtaceous rainforest genus, which like some other rainforest taxa have species adapted to non-rainforest environments (usually with relatively fertile soils) during past climatic sifting of vegetations. Whereas S.s. retains the leaf shape and size of a rainforest taxon, S.e. typifies convergence (epharmosis) to a narrow falcate eucalypt leaf type. See discussion in Webb, L.J. and Tracey, J.G. (1981) "Australian rainforests: patterns and change". In: Ecological Biogeography of Australia, pp.607-694. Ed. A. Keast. The Hague, W. Junk. See especially pp.644-645.

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