Gonocarpus acanthocarpus (Brongn.) Orchard

Orchard, A.E. (1975) Bulletin of the Auckland Institute and Museum 10: 224-226.

Erect to ascending herb 30-45 cm tall with 4-angled stems with scabrid hairs on each ridge.

Leaves decussate, ovate to narrowly ovate, sparsely scabrous on abaxial surface; lamina 25-30 x 3-10 mm, petioles 0.5-4 mm long, margin thickened, serrate with 16-20 teeth, usually hispid or sandpappery to the touch. Lateral veins indistinct.

Flowers 4-merous; pedicel 0.1-0.3 mm long; ring of hairs just below the calyx, sepals ovate to oblong, 0.5-1- mm long, convex, glabrous, red to green. Petals oblong concave, 2.2-2.5 x 0.8 mm, margins thickened, dark red. Stamens 8, 2-5 mm long, filaments slender. Ovary weakly 8-ribbed, papillose, ca. 1.1 x 0.8-0.9 mm. Ovules 4, apical. Styles 4, green, turned inwards,Stigmas globose, white.

Fruit ovoid to cylindrical, 1-1.4 mm long; with papillate scsulpturing, 3-4 conical calussus between the weakly formed ribs. Calyx persistent.

Features not available.

Occurs in the CYP, NEQ, CEQ and as far south as south eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1050 m. Grows in rainforest, sclerophyll forest, open forest, swamp forest, vine thicket and moist places in various types of woodland. Also from the Caroline Islands and the lowlands of New Guinea.