Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition
Tapeinosperma pallidum Jackes
Tapeinosperma
Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub 2-5 m tall.
Base of the leaf blade very gradually tapering into a short petiole. Leaf blades about 9-11 x 3-4 cm, petioles about 0.5-0.7 cm long. Oil dots translucent, very numerous, mainly circular in outline but a small percentage elongate or cigar-shaped. Lateral veins about 16-18 on each side of the midrib, curving inside the blade margin forming only indistinct loops but towards the base of the leaf blade the curving lateral veins almost form an intramarginal vein. The terminal bud on leafy shoots resembles the sheathing stipule on a fig (Ficus spp.).
Inflorescence approximating or exceeding the leaves. Pedicel about 3-4 mm long. Calyx and corolla with elongated oil glands on the inner surface. Corolla tube about 0.5 mm long, corolla lobes about 1.5-2 mm long.
Infructescence approximating or exceeding the leaves. Calyx lobes five, persistent at the base of the fruit. Fruits depressed globular, about 10-12 mm diam. Endocarp marked with pale longitudinal lines. Cotyledons quite short and only about as wide as the radicle.
Features not available.
Endemic to Australia. Occurs in NEQ. Altitudinal range from 100-1200 m. Grows as an understory plant in undisturbed lowland, upland and mountain rain forest.
In previous version of the RFK this taxon was referred to as Tapeinosperma pseudojambosa, which is now recognised as a distinct and different taxon.