Breynia oblongifolia (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg.

Phyllanthaceae

Mueller Argoviensis, J. (1866) Prodromus 15: 440.

Coffee Bush; Oblong-leaved Breynia; Breynia, Oblong-leaved; Breynia

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 2 m tall.

Leaves arranged distichously on twigs so that each twig resembles a compound leaf. Stipules triangular, about 1-2 mm long, base broad, persistent. Leaf blades about 20-30 x 10-20 mm.

Flowers about 2 mm diam. Anthers fused to one another to form a staminal column in the centre of the flower.

Tepals persistent at the base of the fruit. Fruit about 5-8 mm diam. A lateral cavity exists within the testa, and the endosperm and embryo are curved to accommodate the cavity. Up to six seeds per fruit.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as south-eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 600 m. Grows in open forest, monsoon forest, vine thickets and the drier types of rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Breynia oblongifolia (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg. var. oblongifolia, Kew Bulletin Additional Series 8: 40(1980). Melanthesa rhamnoides var. oblongifolia Mull.Arg., Linnaea 32 : 73(1863), Type: In Nova Hollandia ad Port Jackson (dUrville in hb. DC., Sieb. hb. Flor. Nov. Holl. n 566) & in insula Timor.