Baloghia is a small genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Euphorbiaceae (order Malpighiales), first described by Stephan Endlicher in 1833 in his Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae. The genus is native to eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island), New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, making it a characteristic element of the warm rainforests of the southwestern Pacific.
Plants in this genus are mostly monoecious shrubs or small trees with scaly buds. The most widespread member, Baloghia inophylla (Brush Bloodwood or Scrub Bloodwood), is a medium-sized tree known for exuding a clear sap from cut stems that oxidises to a striking bright red — the source of its bloodwood common name. Flowers are cream to white, and the fleshy fruits (12–18 mm in diameter) ripen from green to brown during the winter–summer period.
GBIF currently recognises approximately 12 taxa within the genus. Closely related genera include Cocconerion, and several species formerly placed in Baloghia have been transferred to Austrobuxus, Fontainea, and Scagea.
Etymology
The genus was described by Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher in 1833 in his Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae; the type species Baloghia lucida was based on material from Norfolk Island. No published etymology for the genus name has been identified in the sources consulted.
Distribution
The genus is native to eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island), New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. Within Australia, species occur in warmer rainforest from the mid-NSW coast (north from Tilba Tilba) into Queensland. Baloghia inophylla has also naturalised in New Zealand, where it was first recorded in 1981.
Taxonomy Notes
Baloghia belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae within the order Malpighiales. The genus Cocconerion is regarded as a close relative. Several species formerly placed in Baloghia have been transferred to related genera: B. carunculata to Austrobuxus carunculatus, B. oligostemon to Scagea oligostemon, and B. pancheri to Fontainea pancheri.
