Hippocratea barbata F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1859) Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria 3: 23. Type: Queensland, On the banks of rivers near Moreton Bay. W. Hill and F. Mueller.

Vine, Knot; Knot Vine

Vine stem diameters to 4 cm recorded. Bark included in the wood is seen as radial segments or lenses when viewed in transverse section. Pith pink.

Stipules small, about 0.5-1.5 mm long, caducous. Leaf blades about 5-12 x 1.5-6 cm, margins with 8-20 small rounded teeth on each side but mostly towards the apex, petioles about 0.4-0.9 cm long, channelled on the upper surface. Successive lateral veins depart from the midrib at different angles. Lateral veins about 7-10 on each side of the midrib. Tendrils are formed from modified stems and branches.

Inflorescence about 1.5-2 cm long. Flowers about 9-11 mm diam. Sepals about 3 x 3 mm. Petals four to seven (usually five or six) each petal about 4 x 2 mm, inner surface densely clothed in crisped hairs at least in the upper half. Stamens two to four (usually three or four) about 1-1.2 mm long, recurved at anthesis, inserted at the top of the dark green fleshy disk. Anthers very small. Ovary about 2 mm long, seated on the disk.

Fruit an obovate flat capsule about 35-50 x 22-30 mm, apex notched. Sometimes 2 or 3 "capsules" can be produced from one flower. Surface of the fruit longitudinally striated. Seeds numerous, each seed about 10 mm long with a wing about 14-23 x 10-12 mm. Wing with a well developed midrib. Cotyledons about 10 mm long. Radicle shorter than the cotyledons.

Features not available.

Endemic to Australia, occurs in CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards to north-eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range in CYP and NEQ from near sea level to 1000 m. Grows in monsoon forest, gallery forest, lowland and upland rain forest.