Myrsine smithii Jackes

Jackes, B.R. (2005) Australian Systematic Botany 18: 423. Type: Queensland, State Forest Reserve 607, Emerald Logging Area, OFarrell 131, 21.ix.1973; Holo: QRS.

Muttonwood

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub 2-5 m tall.

Leaf blades about 4.6-9 x 3.2-4.5 cm, petioles short, about 6-10 mm long, channelled on the upper surface. Oil dots red, the larger ones visible to the naked eye, the smaller ones visible with a lens. Lateral veins difficult to see, 14-19 on each side of the midrib, forming loops inside the blade margin. Terminal buds clothed in reddish brown hairs.

Inflorescences produced in the axils of the leaves. Flowers shortly stalked, attached to a short spur or burr. Calyx and corolla marked with orange-yellow or orange-brown oil glands. Corolla lobes about 1.5-3 mm long. Anthers sessile. Ovary orange with about 2-3 ovules embedded in a glandular placenta attached to the base of the ovary. Stigma sessile, capitate.

Fruits globular or depressed globular, about 4-6 mm diam. on a pedicel about 3-5 mm long. Surface marked by numerous orange-brown glands or oil dots. Seeds about 4 mm diam. Embryo about 4 mm long, cotyledons very short, less than 1 mm long, much shorter than and about as wide as the radicle.

Cotyledons about 2-4 x 1-3 mm, margins with a few teeth. First pair of leaves obovate, margins coarsely toothed with 2-3 teeth on each side. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade margin coarsely toothed with about 8-11 teeth on each side. Midrib raised on the upper surface of the leaf blade. Oil dots orange-red, orbicular, visible with a lens. Stem and terminal bud clothed in reddish gland-like hairs or processes. Seed germination time 136 to 208 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from 1000-1200 m. Grows as an understory plant in mountain rain forest.