Psydrax attenuata (R.Br. ex Benth.) S.T.Reynolds & R.J.F.Hend.

Rubiaceae

Reynolds, S.T. & Henderson, R.J.F. (2004) Austrobaileya 6: 857.

A small tree seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Sapwood surface corrugated.

Leaf blade glabrous, about 5-5.5 x 1.5-3 cm. Stipules resinous, broad at the base but abruptly narrowed into a linear, subulate point at the apex. Domatia are foveoles with a comparatively small opening. Leaf blade rather shiny on the upper surface, rather brittle, cracking when folded. Lateral veins more or less flush with the upper surface.

Calyx lobes very short. A distinct ring of downward pointing hairs present on the inner surface of the corolla tube at the same level as the attachment of the staminal filaments, glabrous elsewhere. Corolla about 5-9 mm long, the lobes slightly longer than the tube. Corolla lobes glabrous except for the minutely papillose margins. Anthers papillose. Stigma peltate, +/- mitriform, 2-lipped at the apex.

Fruits about 5 mm long excluding the stalk.

Cotyledons linear-elliptic, about 13-16 x 3-4 mm. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, apex acute or obtuse, base cuneate, glossy on the upper surface, stipules interpetiolar, triangular.

Endemic to Australia, occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards to south-eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range in NEQ from 500-800 m. Grows in monsoon forest and open eucalypt forest.

A very attractive tree, easily cultivated under a variety of conditions, produces dark green glossy leaves and masses of white perfumed flowers.

Canthium attenuatum R.Br. ex Benth., Flora Australiensis 3: 421(1867), Type: Queensland, Sweers Island & Bentinck Island, 25-28 Nov. 1802, R. Brown 3443. Lecto: BM. Iso: BM,K,MEL.