Laurus species unidentified

Horticultural & Botanical History

Possibly an Australian species similar to Laurus or referred to Laurus at the time.  Only one Australian species of Cryptocarya were originally referred to Laurus, Cryptocarya australis (A.Cunn. ex Hook.) Benth., synonym Laurus australis A.Cunn. ex Hook.

Cryptocarya is a genus of some 250 species of trees or shrubs from the tropics or sub-tropics.  15 species are recognised in NSW, including Cryptocarya bidwillii Meissn.  This was not described until 1864, the type plant originating from Wide Bay, now in Queensland, suggesting that Bidwill found it there after he was appointed Commissioner in 1849.  However Macarthur sent two plants of an unidentified Cryptocarya to Loddiges’ Nursery in 1846 [MP A2933-1, p.147] and also presented a plant of ‘Cryptocarea sp. Native of Sasefras’ to the Sydney Botanic Garden on December 24th 1845 [RBGS AB] so he was certainly familiar with the genus.  See also Cryptocarya species unidentified.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 cataloge [T.631/1857].

Notes