Brassiantha hedraiantheroides A.J.Ford

Simmons, M.P. et al (2012) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 62(1): 16-17. Type: AUSTRALIA. Queensland: Cook District, Cultivated Tolga (ex-Browns Creek, Yarrabah), 11 November 1998, A. Ford 2122 (holotype: BRI!; isotypes: CNS! (plus spirit), CS!, K!, L!, MO!, NSW!, PRE!, Z!).

Grows into a small tree but also flowers and fruits as a shrub.

Leaf blades mainly glabrous except for the midrib, about 6.5-9.5 x 2-4 cm, petioles about 0.4-1.3 cm long, channelled on the upper surface. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Stipules usually caducous, about 1 x 0.5 mm +/- triangular to ovate.

Flowers about 3.5-4.5 mm diam., pedicels about 6-8 mm long. Calyx lobes about 1 mm long. Petals about 2 x 1 mm. Stamens five, alternating with five gland-like (?) staminodes. Anthers wider than long, about 0.5 x 0.7 mm, filaments about 1-1.5 mm long. Style very short, stigma shortly lobed.

Capsules star-shaped after dehiscence, then measuring about 45-60 mm diam., red or purplish on the inner surface. Seeds about 7-8 mm long, almost completely enveloped by an orange-red aril. Embryo about 5 mm long, cotyledons about 3-4 x 2-3 mm, about twice as wide as the radicle. Radicle about 2 x 1 mm.

Cotyledons elliptic, about 21-30 x 11-20 mm, apex obtuse, petiole short, about 1-2 mm long. First pair of true leaves alternate, elliptic, apex acute, base cuneate or attenuate, margin entire. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, about 9-13 x 3.5-4.5 cm, petiole about 8 mm long. Lateral veins about 6-9 on each side of the midrib. Stipules very small and inconspicuous, visible with a lens. Roots orange. Seed germination time 82 to 207 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 600 m. Grows as an understory plant in sclerophyll forest and lowland and upland rain forest.