Gynochthodes jasminoides (A.Cunn.) Razafim. & B.Bremer

Razafimandimbison, S.G. & Bremer, B. (2011) Adansonia 33(2): 291.

Morinda; Morinda, Sweet; Jasmine Morinda; Morinda, Sweet; Jasmine, Native; Native Jasmine; Sweet Morinda; Sweet Morinda; Morinda, Jasmin

Vine stem diameters to 7 cm recorded. The irregular radial lines or segments of bark and wood form a pattern in transverse sections of the stem resembling drainage patterns into a central lake or spokes of a wheel.

Leaf blades about 3-11.5 x 1-4.5 cm, petioles about 0.4-1.2 cm long. Lateral veins usually 3 or 4 on each side of the midrib, forming loops inside the blade margin. Stipules about 1.5-4 mm long, sheathing the twigs. Domatia are cave-like foveoles which register their presence because of humps which are apparent even on the upper surface of the leaf blade.

Flowers about 8-10 mm diam. Calyx about 0.8-1.5 mm long, lobes absent. Corolla tube about 5-6 mm long, lobes about 3-4 mm long. Anthers bright yellow, about 2 mm long, protruding beyond the corolla tube. Pollen orange.

Fruits +/- globular, about 8-12 mm diam., surface marked by numerous crater-like pits. Pyrenes quite hard to cut. Seeds numerous, irregular in shape, about 2.2-4 x 1.7 mm. Embryo about 1-1.2 x 0.3 mm. Cotyledons scarcely wider than and about one third of the length of the radicle.

Cotyledonary stipules short, apices rounded. First pair of leaves elliptic-ovate, stipules linear, apices very acute. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade about 6 x 2 cm, petiole about 1 cm long. Midrib raised on the upper surface. Stipules interpetiolar with 2 stipules at each node, stipules broad-based, apices acuminate and very acute. Stem above the cotyledons densely hairy. Hypocotyl glabrous and longitudinally 2-ridged. Seed germination time 101 days.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as Victoria. Altitudinal range in northern Australia from near sea level to 1500 m. Grows in monsoon forest, lowland, upland and mountain rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Morinda jasminoides A.Cunn., Botanical Magazine 61: t. 33 (1834). Type: New South Wales, Port Jackson, Mar. 1821, A. Cunningham; holo: K?.