Xanthostemon graniticus Peter G.Wilson

Wilson, Peter G. (1990) Telopea 3(4): 470. Type: QUEENSLAND, head of Roaring Meg Creek, 16 07 S, 145 24E, M.Godwin C2826, 2.iii.1985; holo: NSW; iso: BRI, QRS.

Grows into a large tree but also flowers and fruits as a shrub.

Leaf blades about 7-19 x 4-10 cm, petioles about 1-2.5 cm long. Lateral veins forming loops well inside the leaf blade margin. Oil dots just visible with a x10 lens, more obvious from the underside, usually 1 or 2 per reticulation. Upper surface of the leaf blade arched between the main lateral veins.

Calyx lobes about 2.8-5 mm long. Petals ovate to orbicular, about 4-4.5 x 3.8-4 mm with numerous oil glands and pubescent on the outer surface. Stamens numerous, 50-60, arranged in a 5-lobed ring, filaments cream, about 7-10 mm long. Ovary hemispherical, hairy. Style about 10-12 mm long. Ovules about ten per locule.

Fruits depressed globular, about 7-10 mm diam., pubescent on the domed apex. Calyx persistent at the base of the fruit. Seeds not winged, about 4-5 x 3 mm. Testa hard and woody.

Cotyledons about 5-6 x 8-9 mm, petioles about 2-3 mm long. First pair of leaves elliptic to ovate, about 12-14 x 7 mm, petioles about 2-3 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, about 30 x 15 mm. Oil dots comparatively large, about 1-3 per reticulation. Stipules or stipule-like glands usually visible. Stem clothed in pink or reddish prostrate hairs. Seed germination time 19 days.

Endemic to NEQ, known only from collections made in the Mt Pieter Botte and Roaring Meg Creek areas. Altitudinal range from 600-800 m. Grows in the more open areas on granite slabs on the ridges and in open rocky areas along creeks.