Helicia grayi Foreman

Foreman, D.B. (1984) Brunonia 6(2): 64. Type: State Forest Reserve 143, Leichhardt Logging area, Mt Lewis, Queensland, B. Gray 178, 11.viii.1976 (holotypus QRS).

Gray's Silky Oak; Oak, Gray's Silky

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Oak grain in the wood and a corresponding pattern (often reddish stripes) in the inner blaze.

Oak grain in the twigs. Leaf blades about 7.5-13.5 x 2-4 cm. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin and midrib raised on the upper surface. Terminal buds densely clothed in short, rusty brown hairs.

Tepals about 14-18 mm long, glabrous. Ovary rufous-tomentose. Ovules 2.

Fruits ovoid, about 12-14 x 8-10 mm. Seed about 8 x 6 mm.

Cotyledons thick and fleshy, without venation. First pair of leaves ovate, margins serrate, glabrous on the upper surface. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, apex acuminate, base cuneate to attenuate, margin irregularly dentate to serrate, glabrous on the upper surface or with a few hairs along the midrib, midrib flush with or slightly raised on the upper surface of the leaf blade. Seed germination time 17 to 62 days.

Endemic to NEQ, known only from a few localities, Mt Finnigan, Thornton Peak and Mt Lewis. Altitudinal range from 400-1200 m. Grows as an understory tree in upland and mountain rain forest.