Parsonsia blakeana J.B.Williams

Williams, J.B. (1996) Flora of Australia 28: 316. Type: Heathlands Natl Park, Captain Billy Landing road, Cape York Peninsula, Qld, 22 Sept. 1985, K. A. Williams 85222; holo: BRI.

A slender vine not attaining a stem diameter greater than 2 cm. Stems of young vines produce adventitious roots.

Leaf blades about 6.5-14 x 3-8 cm much paler on the underside, petioles about 1.5-3 cm long. Both the upper and lower surface of the leaf blade clothed in short pale brown prostrate hairs. Small glands resembling tiny stipules usually visible on the twigs between the petiole bases.

Inflorescences 8-20-flowered, the whole structure much shorter than the leaves. Pedicels about 3-4.5 mm long. Calyx lobes slender, shortly hairy. Corolla tube about 2-2.6 mm long, lobes spreading to semi-erect, lanceolate, about 3.2-4.2 mm long, glabrous externally but clothed in downward-pointing hairs on the inner surface. Anthers inserted in a cone about 2.2-3 mm long, filaments about 1.2 mm long, straight, i.e. not twisted. Ovary surrounded by 5 shield-shaped pale green nectaries about 0.7 mm long. Style head or stigma green, shaped like a narrow minaret.

Fruits about 11-13 cm long. Seeds about 8-9 mm long, plumes of hairs about 30 mm long. Hair surface smooth, not barbed or otherwise ornamented. Cotyledons about 3-3.5 x 1.5-2 mm. Radicle about 1.5-2 mm long.

Features not available.

Endemic to CYP, known only from collections made in the Captain Billy Creek-Heathlands area and Bolt Head. Altitudinal range quite small, from near sea level to 100 m. Grows in rain forest and vine thicket on old sand dunes.