Rhodomyrtus pervagata Guymer

Myrtaceae

Guymer, G.P. (1991) Austrobaileya 3(3): 380. Type: Qld. Cook District, 15 km along Mt Lewis Rd, off Julatten Mareeba Rd, January 1986, G.P.Guymer 2017.

Rusty Rhodomyrtus; Ironwood

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Cream or white stripes may be visible in the blaze.

Leaf blades about 7-14.6 x 2.3-5.5 cm. Young shoots and younger leaf bearing twigs usually densely clothed in short, dark brown hairs. Midrib depressed on the upper surface.

Inflorescence not exceeding the leaves, but usually longer than the petioles. Calyx lobes about 4 mm long, appressed pubescent on both the inner and outer surfaces. Petals +/- hemispherical, about 5 mm diam., appressed pubescent on the outer surface, but glabrous on the inner surface. Ovary apex pubescent. Stigma capitate.

Infructescence not exceeding the leaves. Calyx lobes persistent at the apex of the fruit. Fruits +/- globular to ellipsoid, about 12-13 x 9-10 mm. Seeds flattened, about 2 x 2 mm. Embryo U-shaped.

Cotyledons ovate, about 2-3 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate, upper surface hairy; oil dots small, sparse, but more numerous about the margins of the leaf blade, visible with a lens. Seed germination time 26 to 174 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from 350-1250 m. Grows in well developed upland and mountain rain forest. This species is favoured by disturbance and is a characteristic component of rain forest regrowth.

Rhodamnia trinervia var. macrophylla (Domin) C.T.White, Contributions from the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 4: 76(1933). Rhodomyrtus trineura var. macrophylla Domin, Bibliotheca Botanica 89(4): 1028(1928), Type: Australia, Queensland, Domin 7313.