Actephila petiolaris Benth. subsp. petiolaris

Phyllanthaceae

Bentham, G. (1873) Flora Australiensis 6: 89. Type: Queensland. Rockingham Bay, Dallachy. Holo: K.

A small tree seldom exceeding 20 cm dbh. Blaze odour resembles that of freshly shelled peas (Pisum sativum).

Leaves glabrous or with scattered fawn indumentum when young. Leaf blades about 9-21 x 5-9 cm, elliptic-ovate, rarely obovate. Petioles long, about 2-9 cm long, grooved on the upper surface and swollen at its junction with the twig. Stipules small and inconspicuous.

Tufts of hair occur on the tips of the tepals. Stamens inserted on a large disk.

Capsules depressed globular, about 20 x 25 mm, pedicels long and slender (about 3-7 cm long). Seeds about 13 x 11 mm. Cotyledons crumpled and folded many times.

Cotyledons +/- orbicular, about 40-45 mm diam. with 3-5 main veins radiating from the base. At the tenth leaf stage: lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin; midrib raised on the upper surface; petioles green, long and slender, channelled on the upper surface; stipule margins often fimbriate; stem lenticels pale, often quite numerous. Seed germination time 19 days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the Julatten and Cairns-Mulgrave area. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 400 m. Grows in well developed coastal lowland rain forest.