Steganthera cooperorum Whiffin

Monimiaceae

Whiffin, T. (2007) Flora Of Australia 2: 453. Type: Timber Reserve 1230, Boonjee Logging Area 4 Dec. 1972; B. Hyland 2766 RFK; Holo: QRS; Iso: LTB.

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Oak grain in the wood and a corresponding pattern in the inner blaze.

Oak grain in the twigs. Leaf blades about 11-16 x 3-6 cm. Oil dots visible on the underside of the leaf blade with the aid of a lens. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Midrib raised on the upper surface.

Inflorescence shorter than the leaves. Operculum +/- flat, disc-like. Carpels appressed pubescent, about 40 per flower, stigmas +/- subulate.

Receptacle yellowish to yellowish-brown, sparsely pubescent. Fruiting carpels purplish-maroon to black, +/- ovoid, about 15-20 x 10-14 mm. Seed about 12-15 x 8-11 mm. Testa uniformly coloured except for a single cream stripe running from the base of the seed to the apex. Embryo about 6.5-7 x 2 mm, radicle slightly longer and thicker than the cotyledons but not as wide.

Cotyledons ovate or lanceolate, about 30-45 x 18-25 mm, strongly 3-veined and +/- sessile. First pair of true leaves alternate or opposite with 1-4 teeth on each side. Oil dots visible with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic to obovate, about 13.5 x 4 cm, apex acuminate, acute or apiculate, base cuneate, margin dentate, lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Stem sparsely hairy. Seed germination time 56 to 112 days.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range unknown but certainly occurs between 680-750 m. Grows as an understory tree in well developed upland rain forest.

Kibara papuana auct. non A.C. Sm., Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees : (1993). Gen. (AQ63687) sp. (Davies Creek L.J. Webb+ 6430), Queensland Plants : 120(1997). Monimiaceae Gen. Nov. sp. (Davies Creek LJW 6430), Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees, Shrubs & Vines : (2003). Gen. (AQ63687) sp. (Davies Creek L.J. Webb+ 6430), Queensland Vascular Plant Names & Distribution : 192(1993).