Cleistanthus xerophilus Domin

Domin, K. (1928) Bibliotheca Botanica 89(4): 879. Type: Nord-Queensland: Savannenwalder zwischen Chillagoe und dem Walsh River (DOMIN II. 1910); holo: PR.

A small tree seldom exceeding 20 cm dbh.

Leaf blades about 3.5-11 x 1.5-4 cm. Lateral veins forming loops inside the blade margin. Petiole short and transversely wrinkled. Midrib slightly raised on the upper surface.

Flowers about 3-4 mm diam. Calyx glabrous throughout. Ovary glabrous.

Fruit disintegrating at maturity leaving the stalk and central axis attached to the tree. Capsule 3-lobed, about 7-8 mm long on a pedicel about 10-11 mm long. Embryo green. Cotyledons much wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons obtriangular to orbicular, about 6-14 x 10-16 mm, apex truncate, base cuneate. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic or obovate, apex obtuse, base cuneate, hairy on both the upper and lower surfaces; stipules small, triangular, hairy. Seed germination time 12 to 21 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and the northern part of CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 300 m. Grows in drier rain forest and monsoon forest but frequently encountered as a rheophyte along creeks and rivers through open forest country.