Alyxia magnifolia F.M.Bailey

Apocynaceae

Bailey, F.M. (1910) Queensland Agricultural Journal 25(1): 10. Type: Queensland, Wide Bay District. Lake Cootharaba, J. eys 80 (holo: BRI! [AQ332805]).

Large-leaved Chain Fruit

Shrub to 5m; milky latex in young stems and petioles when freshly cut; buds sparsely hairy; stems hairless; stipules several in leaf axils.

Leaves simple, entire, in whorls of (2) 3 or 4; lamina elliptic to ovate; apex acute, spinose; base cuneate, 4-5 cm long, 2-6 cm wide; pinnately veined with 20-30 main lateral veins each side of midrib, faint on upper surface, obscure on lower surface; upper surface glossy dark green; lower surface paler and yellow-green; petiole very short (2-10 mm).

In axillary dichasial cymes; flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, scented; sepals 5; petals 5, white, twisted, united in tube bearing narrow spreading lobes; stamens 5, free; anthers included in floral tube; gynoecium of 2 carpels that are free except for a united style; style head cylindrical, divided; ovaries superior.

A fleshy drupe of one (two) segments, globoid, orange to red, with a single stone in each segment.

Not available.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CEQ from Eungella southwards to south eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 800 m. Grows in rain forest often on soils derived from granite.

Alyxia ilicifolia subsp. magnifolia (F.M.Bailey) P.I.Forst., Australian Systematic Botany 5(5): 569, figs 11, 15B (1992). Type: Queensland, Wide Bay District. Lake Cootharaba, J. Keys 80 (holo: BRI! [AQ332805]).

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