Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.

Brown, R. (1832) Botanical Magazine 59: t3131.

Scrambling Lily; Lily, Scrambling

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm. Stems 4-angled.

Twigs zigzagged. Leaf blades about 2.7-9 x 0.7-1.3 cm, petioles about 0.5-2 mm long, grooved on the upper surface. Petioles twisted so the upper leaf blade surface becomes the underside.

Pedicels about 6-7 mm long. Sepals about 6-7 mm long. Petals about 6 mm long, margins entire not fringed. Stamens six, anthers about 3.5 mm long, filaments somewhat twisted (sinuous) about 1.5-2 mm long. Ovary globular, about 1-1.5 mm long. Style somewhat sinuous towards the base, about 4 mm long. Stigma +/- globular, terminal.

Fruits globular, about 5-11 mm diam. Seeds one or two per fruit, each seed about 5 x 3 mm, +/- obovoid. Embryo curved, about 3-5 mm long, thicker at one end, resembling a tusk.

Cataphylls about 11 mm long, usually 2, produced before the first true leaves. First true leaf oblong-lanceolate, apex apiculate, base obtuse. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade +/- lanceolate, apex apiculate, base obtuse and oblique. Leaves distichous, twigs zig-zagged. Petioles twisted so that the lower surface of the leaf blade is uppermost. Venation longitudinal and parallel. Roots yellowish or curry-coloured. Seed germination time 224 days.

Endemic to NEQ, CEQ and widely distributed throughout the area. Altitudinal range from 100-1100 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of rock types but tends to be more common along creeks and gullies.