Rhodamnia sharpeana N.Snow

Snow, N. (2007) Systematic Botany Monographs 82: 41. Type: AUSTRALIA. Queensland: Cook District, Leo Creek Road, McIlwraith Range, 13deg 45min S, 143 deg 22 min E, 29 Nov 1995, B.Gray 6436 (holotype: BRI, photos: GREE: isotypes: GREE, QRS).

Bark distinctly flaky but the living bark layer quite thin.

Young twigs clothed in short, rusty brown hairs. Younger leaves rusty on the underside while the older leaves are cream or pale brown. Underside clothed in a dense layer of hairs and stellate scales. Leaf blade rounded at the base and drawn out into a tip at the apex. Leaf blades about 4-6 x 2-3 cm, the two main lateral veins arise at the very base of the leaf blade. Midrib depressed or almost flush with the upper surface and petiole channelled on the upper surface. Oil dots generally sparsely distributed but perhaps more numerous between the intramarginal vein and the leaf blade margin.

Flowers about 10 mm diam., emitting an odour like that of rockmelon (Cucumis melo). Calyx lobes 2.5 mm long, outer surface densely clothed in brown hairs, inner surface to a lesser extent. Petals +/- orbicular, about 3 mm diam., outer surface initially hairy but perhaps becoming almost glabrous. Stamens numerous. Style about 2.5-3 mm long.

Infructescence not exceeding the leaves, but usually exceeding the petioles. Calyx lobes persistent at the apex of the fruits. Fruits +/- globular, about 12 mm diam. Seeds variable in shape, about 2.5-3 x 2-2.5 mm.

Cotyledons ovate, about 4-6 mm long, apex mucronate. Oil dots small, sparse, visible only with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade +/- elliptic, upper surface with a few pale, stellate hairs, undersurface densely clothed in pale, matted hairs; oil dots numerous, small; leaves strongly 3-veined. Seed germination time 39 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP and NEQ, widespread in CYP and restricted to the Isabella Falls area near the McIvor River in NEQ. Altitudinal range from 50-500 m. Grows in monsoon forest and rain forest.