Geniostoma rupestre var. australianum (F.Muell.) B.J.Conn

Conn, B.J. (1980) Blumea 26: 297.

Occasionally grows into a small tree but usually flowers and fruits as a single-stemmed shrub 2-4 m tall.

Leaf blade 6-10 x 2-3 cm. Stipules interpetiolar, thin and papery, attached to the bases of the petioles, falling early, leaving only an indistinct scar.

Flowers produce an obnoxious odour. Calyx lobes ciliate. Corolla campanulate, about 2.5-4 mm long, corolla tube very hairy on the inner surface. Pollen white. Ovules numerous in each locule, partly embedded in the fleshy placenta. Style about 0.6-2 mm long, lower half hairy.

Capsules about 5-10 x 3-7 mm. Seeds about 75-80 per fruit, each seed about 1.5 x 1 mm, testa rugose. Seeds completely embedded in the yellow to orange placenta. Embryo minute, about 0.8 mm long.

Cotyledons almost orbicular, about 2-3 mm diam. First pair of true leaves with hairy margins. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves lanceolate, stipules interpetiolar, thin and papery, attached to the bases of the petioles. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Seed germination time 56 to 189 days.

Occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to about 1000 m. Grows as an understory plant in a variety of types of well developed lowland, upland and mountain rain forest.

This species may have medicinal properties. (http://squid2.laughingsquid.net/hosts/herbweb.com /herbage/A11816.htm)