Australian logrunner one of only three species within the single Orthonyx genus; the other two are the chowcilla ("Orthonyx spaldingii") from northern Queensland and the New Guinean logrunner ("Orthonyx novaeguineae") from Papua New Guinea. Logrunners as a group are characterised within their group by their distinctive tail feathers where the rachis (or central shafts) of the tail feathers protrude and are stiffened. The broad tail of the bird is less than four inches (10 cm) in length and the strong protruding rachis at the ends of the tail feathers are almost void of the usual barbs, giving the feather the appearance of
Calamus rotang plants. It has pinnate, alternate leaves, 60–80 cm long, armed with two rows of spines on the upper face. The plants are dioecious, and flowers are clustered in attractive inflorescences, enclosed by spiny spathes. The edible fruits are top-shaped, covered in shiny, reddish-brown imbricate scales, and exude an astringent red resin known medicinally and commercially as "Dragon's blood". The canes are sought-after and expensive, but have to a large extent been replaced by sticks made from plants, such as bamboos, rushes and osier willows. Calamus rotang Calamus rotang is a plant species native to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma).