Larsenaikia ochreata (F.Muell.) Tirveng.

Rubiaceae

Tirvengadum, D.D. (1993) Nordic Journal of Botany 13: 181

Wenlock Gardenia

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Blaze conspicuously layered as a result of layers of fine, pink, granular tissue and hard, bony, brown or cream stripes.

Stipules, densely clothed in +/- erect hairs, completely encircling the twigs. Leaf blades rather large, about 8-25 x 4-10 cm. Domatia, if present, are small foveoles with white hairs at the opening.

Calyx lobes about 6-8 mm long, corolla lobes about 20-30 mm long. Corolla tube pubescent externally, cylindrical. Anthers partially exserted from the corolla tube.

Fruits ovoid, about 45-50 x 30-35 mm. Fruits +/- circular in transverse section.

Cotyledons obovate to +/- orbicular, about 8-11 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, apex acute to shortly acuminate, base auriculate, hairy on the upper surface, lateral veins about 8-12 on each side of the midrib; stipules interpetiolar, hairy, completely encircling the stem, apex truncate. Seed germination time 24 to 31 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 400 m. Grows in open forest, monsoon forest and drier, more seasonal rain forest.

A shrub or small tree with potential in horticulture. Flowers fragrant, white, turning yellow with age. Plants will withstand dry periods.

Gardenia ochreata F.Muell., Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 1: 55(1858), Type: Qld, Burdekin River, Oct. 1856 , Mueller s.n.; lecto: K; iso: MEL. Fide Puttock (1989). Gardenia kershawii F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agricultural Journal Series 2 2: 75(1914), Type: Claudie River, Jas. A. Kershaw; lecto; BRI. Fide Puttock (1989). Gardenia macgillivraei Benth., Flora Australiensis 3: 409(1867), Type: Queensland. Cape York, McGillivray, W. Hill. Lecto: K. Fide Puttock (1989). Gardenia ochreata var. parviflora F.Muell., Fragm. 7: 46(1869), Type: Qld, Issacs River, 1844, Leichhardt 34; holo: MEL. Kailarsenia ochreata (F.Muell.) Puttock, Austrobaileya 3(1): 54.