Rhodamnia blairiana F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1875) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9: 141. Type: In montibus altioribus circum Rockinghams Bay; Dallachy.

Small Malletwood; Rhodamnia; Blair's Malletwood; Iron Malletwood

Dead bark layered, pores visible in darker layers. Living bark layer quite thin.

Young shoots, twigs, and the underside of young leaves, densely clothed in short, rusty brown hairs. Leaf blade about 4-8 x 1.5-3 cm. The two main lateral veins arise near the base of the leaf blade but not at the very base, about 1-4 mm in from the edge.

Inflorescence not exceeding the leaves, all parts clothed in a ferruginous pubescence, flowers solitary or in pairs. Calyx lobes about 4 mm long, pubescent on both the inner and outer surfaces. Petals orbicular, about 7 mm diam., pubescent on the outer surface. Ovary apex ferruginous-pubescent.

Infructescence not exceeding the leaves. Immature fruits clothed in a ferruginous pubescence. Calyx lobes persisting at the apex of the fruits. Fruits globular, about 12-15 mm diam. Seeds variable in shape, about 6 x 9 mm.

Cotyledons ovate, about 6-9 mm long, apex apiculate. Oil dots small, visible with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade ovate, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate to obtuse, upper surface with a few pale hairs, underside densely clothed in pale, matted hairs except for the veins which are clothed in brown hairs, leaves strongly 3-veined; oil dots numerous, easily visible with a lens; petioles, stem and terminal bud clothed in reddish brown hairs. Seed germination time 46 to 76 days.

Endemic to NEQ, widespread throughout the area. Altitudinal range from 650-1200 m. Grows in well developed upland and mountain rain forest on a variety of sites but frequently found on soils derived from granite.

An excellent small tree not yet widely cultivated. New growth is orange brown or rusty brown because of a dense covering of hairs. Does best in cool moist conditions.