Sapindaceae

 Foambark receives its name due to the fact that when the bark and leaves are shaken in water it produces foam, which will contains a chemical that will stun fish.  This method was used by Aborigines to acquire fish from streams.  This tree is quite attractive with ferny foliage and a rounded crown. 

Leaves:  Leaves are softly hairy below, but only slightly hairy above.  They are about 2-6 cm long and have a fern-like appearance.
Flowers:  Foambark produces small brown flowers, which cluster at the ends of the branches
Fruit: The fruit is an orange capsule approximately 1cm diameter.  The capsule splits into three releasing brown seeds.  Irritating hairs surround the capsule. 


Foambark is a common tree found in many types of rainforest.  It can be found in sub-tropical, littoral and dry rainforest. 


This species grows from Taree, Central NSW to Cooktown in north Queensland. 


Hauser, J. (1992) Fragments of Green - An Identification Field Guide for Rainforest Plants of the Greater Brisbane Region, Rainforest Conservation Society, Queensland.

Nan & Hugh Nicholson (1985, 1988, 1991,1994) Australian Rainforest Plants I, II, III & IV, Terania Rainforest Publishing, Australia. 

Photo: Nan & Hugh Nicholson