Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition

Asteromyrtus angustifolia (Gaertn.) Craven


Shrub (woody or herbaceous, 1-6 m tall)
Tree
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Scale bar 10mm. © CSIRO
10th leaf stage. © CSIRO
Cotyledon stage, epigeal germination. © CSIRO
Family

Craven, L.A. (1988) Australian Systematic Botany 1(4): 377.

Stem

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Dead bark finely layered.

Leaves

Midrib and two lateral veins more prominent than the rest. Leaf blades about 25-60 x 3-6 mm, gradually tapering into a very short petiole. Leaves very aromatic when crushed.

Flowers

Inflorescence globose. Petals orbicular to elliptic, about 3-6 mm long. Stamens about 30-65 in each bundle, free filaments about 1-6 mm long.

Fruit

Infructescence globose, about 10-20 mm diam. Individual capsules usually 3-celled. Seeds winged at the apex, the wing usually extending along both sides. Embryo about 2-2.2 mm long.

Seedlings

Cotyledons ovate or elliptic, about 4-5 x 2-3 mm, apex obtuse, base cuneate. Oil dots small, visible only with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade linear with only the midrib and the intramarginal veins visible; oil dots visible with a lens; leaf blade very gradually tapering into the petiole. Seed germination time 31 days.

Distribution and Ecology

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 150 m. Usually grows in monsoon forest or vine thickets on sand dunes or sand hills.

Natural History & Notes

An adaptable small tree with horticulture merit that will grow well in sandy soils. Flowers are cream to pink.

Synonyms
Asteromyrtus gaertneri Schauer, Linnaea 17: 242(1843). Melaleuca angustifolia Gaertn., Fruct. sem pl. 1: 172(1788), Type: Queensland, Endeavour River?, 1770, Banks & Solander; holo: BM; iso: MEL.
RFK Code
1043
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