Diplatia furcata Barlow

Barlow, B.A. (1962) Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 87: 57. Type: Queensland, Burnett District, Dallarnil, 28 Dec. 1939, L.S. Smith 624; Holo: BRI.

Aerial stem-parasitic shrub. Epicortical runners present or absent.

Leaf blades about 2.2-5.5 x 0.3-1.5 cm, petioles about 0.1-0.5 cm long. Venation not obvious, midrib not visible. Leaves tend to be produced in pseudowhorls on the lateral short shoots.

Flowers borne in a pedunculate head of two sessile triads +/- enclosed in two large foliaceous bracts (14-22 x 8-16 mm). Bracts shorter than the flowers. Peduncle about 7-25 mm long, dilated and flattened at the apex. Calyx about 0.7 mm long, without lobes. Corolla about 18-28 mm long. Anthers about 2-3 mm long, staminal filaments about 10-12 mm long. Ovary about 5 mm long. Styles about 28-30 mm long. No locules or ovules visible in the ovary.

Groups of fruits, generally 4, subtended by two large bracts each about 17-25 x 13-17 mm. Fruits ovoid, ellipsoidal, about 8-10 x 6 mm. Seeds green, about 6-9 x 4-5 mm, surface ribbed. Ribs 5, longitudinal. Pericarp sticky, oily and/or resinous. Endosperm green. Embryo straight, about 4.5-5 x 1 mm. Cotyledons fused together. Radicle globular.

Features not available.

Endemic to Australia. Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as southeastern Queensland. Altitudinal range in northern Australia from near sea level. Usually parasitic on open forest trees but also found on myrtaceous species in vine thicket.

Food plant for the larval stage of the Scarlet Jezabel and Sapphire Azure Butterflies. Braby, M. (2000).