Uromyrtus metrosideros (F.M.Bailey) A.J.Scott

Myrtaceae

Scott, A.J. (1986) Kew Bulletin 41(3): 286.

Redbark Austromyrtus; Mountain Malletwood

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh.

Oil dots visible with a lens if not visible to the naked eye. Leaf blade rather small, about 2-4 x 1-1.5 cm. Lateral veins scarcely visible on the upper surface and midrib depressed on the upper surface. Leafy twigs slender, less than 1 mm diam., hairy. Terminal buds sericeous when young.

Inflorescence not exceeding the leaves, flower stalks (peduncles) about 4-8 mm long. Calyx villous, tube (hypanthium) about 2 mm long, lobes about 2 mm long. Petals orbicular, about 7 mm diam., +/- glabrous. Staminal filaments about 1-2 mm long. Anther connective extending beyond the apex of the anther, back of the anther marked by 8-10 glands. Ovary apex pubescent. Numerous ovules per locule. Stigma slightly bilobed.

Fruits globular, about 8-10 mm diam., puberulent, calyx lobes persistent at the apex. Stalks (peduncles) about 4-8 mm long. Seeds about 2 x 3.5 mm. Embryo U-shaped. Cotyledons dimorphic, one folded and the other straight. Testa relatively thick and hard.

Cotyledons +/- triangular, about 3-4 mm long, emarginate at the apex with a peg-like gland at the base of the cleft. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade ovate or lanceolate, apex subulate, base cuneate, upper surface with long white hairs; oil dots numerous, small, visible only with a lens; petiole, stem and terminal bud clothed in long, white hairs. Seed germination time 33 to 46 days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the higher mountains from Mt Finnigan to the Bellenden Ker Range. Altitudinal range from 1150-1550 m. Grows in stunted rain forest on exposed ridge tops.

Austromyrtus metrosideros (Bailey) Burret, Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem 15(3): 501(1941). Myrtus metrosideros F.M.Bailey, A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora, Supplement 3 : 27(1890), Type: .. on the south peak of Bellenden-Ker. [given by A.J.Scott, Kew Bull. 41 (1986) 286 as Queensland, Mt Bellenden Ker, F.M. Bailey s.n.