Homalium brachybotrys (F.Muell.) F.Muell.

Salicaceae

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1861) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 2: 127.

Boxwood, Hard; Hard Boxwood

Usually encountered as a small tree, seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Blaze usually very conspicuously layered.

Leaf blades about 3-4 x 1-2.5 cm. Midrib raised on the upper surface of the leaf blade, marginal teeth rounded. Young twigs pink to reddish but usually marked by pale longitudinally elongated lenticels. Stipules small and inconspicuous.

Inflorescence about 2.5-5 cm long. Flowers unpleasantly perfumed. Perianth about 1.5 mm long. Stamens solitary, rarely in pairs. Ovary hairy on the inner surface but the hairs not filling the ovary cavity. Ovules pendulous, aggregated in groups and attached to the ovary wall towards the apex of the ovary.

Fruits about 3-4 mm long, resembling a shuttlecock. Petals and sepals persistent.

Features not available.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in NEQ and extends into the inland northern part of CEQ. Altitudinal range from 300-600 m. Grows in monsoon forest and dry scrubs often among boulders or along watercourses.

Blackwellia brachybotrys F.Muell., Trans. & Proc. Philos. Inst. Victoria 3: 48(1859), Type: Sources of the Gilbert River, F. Mueller; holo: MEL.