Stigmaphyllon australiense (Nied.) C.E.Anderson

Anderson, C.E. (2011), Blumea 56: 80-81.

Vine stem diameters to 5 cm recorded.

Leaf blades about 6.5-12 x 4.5-10 cm, petioles about 1-3.5 cm long. Leaf blades clothed in pale, medifixed hairs particularly on the underside. Stipules variable in size and shape, usually rounded or blunt at the apex. Two glands usually visible, one on each side of the petiole, just before its junction with the leaf blade.

Flowers about 7 mm diam. Floral bracts about 7 mm long. Each bract with a large green gland on each side of the midrib. Calyx lobes +/- orbicular, about 1.5-2 mm diam., outer surface clothed in hairs. Petals cupped, orbicular or broadly spathulate, about 6-7 mm long. Stamens 10, filaments about 2.2-4 mm long. Anthers about 1.25 mm long. Pollen yellow-orange. Ovary densely clothed in white or translucent, medifixed hairs. Styles 3 or 4. Ovules 2 per locule.

Fruit consists of a group of winged samaras joined at their bases. Individual samaras conspicuously winged (usually 3-winged) each samara + wing about 22-35 x 11-15 mm. Wings conspicuously veined (more than 20 veins) and clothed in pale medifixed hairs. Seeds about 5-7 mm long enclosed in a tough leathery endocarp. Testa thin and papery. Cotyledons about 6 mm long, difficult to separate. Radicle about 0.5 mm long.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1000 m. Grows in vine thicket, monsoon forest and the drier more seasonal rain forests. Also occurs in New Guinea.

This large somewhat shrubby vine has potential for planting in large gardens. It usually grows in drier forests and produces conspicuous yellow flowers and interesting winged fruits.

Ryssopterys australiensis Nied., Arbeiten aus dem Botanischen Institut des Kgl. Lyceums Hosianum in Braunsberg 6: 61 (1915).