Gynochthodes sessilis Halford

Halford, D.A. (2004) Austrobaileya 6: 891. Type: Qld, SFR 607 Dinden, Bridle Creek track, 15 Jan. 2002, P.I. Forster PIF281214 R. Booth & R. Jensen; Holo: BRI; Iso: A, BISH,DNA, L, MEL, MO, P, Z.

Vine stem diameters to 6 cm recorded. Blaze turns purple on exposure. Sapwood surface often corrugated.

Leaf blades about 8-13 x 3-6 cm, petioles about 1-2 cm long. Stipules interpetiolar, triangular, about 2 mm long. Leaves dry to a very dark colour, almost black. Lateral veins about 6-8 on each side of the midrib.

Calyx (hypanthium) about 1.5-1.8 mm long. Corolla lobes reflexed, densely clothed in hairs on the inner surface.

Fruits globular or ellipsoid, about 12-13 x 10-15 mm, excavated at the apex. Pyrenes (1 seeded) usually 1-4 per fruit. Seeds about 8-10 x 6 mm. Embryo about 2.5-5 mm. Cotyledons straight, about 1 mm long. Radicle straight, much longer than the cotyledons but about as wide.

Cotyledons about 17-21 x 9-12 mm, petioles about 1-2 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: seedling glabrous; leaf blade about 10-15 x 2-3.5 cm, petiole about 5-6 mm long. Midrib raised on the upper surface of the leaf blade and lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Stipules interpetiolar, about 2 mm long forming a short sheath around the stem, stipules abruptly narrowed into an attenuate tip at the apex. Terminal bud slightly resinous. Seed germination time 68 to 105 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 450 m. Grows in lowland and upland rain forest.