Homalium sp. South Molle Island (J.A.Gresty AQ208995)

Provisional HISPID phrase name.

Shrub or tree to 12 m. Trunk very finely fissured, grey, pale 'daubed' with splotches of coloured lichens.

Leaves simple, alternate, glabrous, often with burgundy new growth. Stipules inconspicuous 0.5 mm long. Petiole short 2-5 mm long. Leaf blade elliptic, about 4-12 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, base cuneate to obtuse, margin dentate or serrate, up to 11 teeth on each side of the leaf blade, apex acuminate to acute.

Inflorescence an axillary raceme to 10 cm long. Flowers bisexual up to 5 mm diam., subtended by 3 small bracts about 0.5 mm long. Pedicel jointed with an articulation about 1 mm from base. Perianth of 14 similar white tepals, about 1.5-2 mm long, hairy. Tepals appear in one whorl at anthesis (although in two whorls in bud), 7 smaller ones (1.55-1.85 x 0.4 mm) alternating with 7 slightly larger ones (1.5-2 x 0.45 mm). Stamens 18-21, usually in bundles of three (sometimes two), opposite larger tepals and alternating with 7 disk glands. Each stamen about 2.5 mm long, anthers very small; pollen yellow. Ovary half-inferior, densely hairy on the inner surface, the hairs being quite long and almost filling the ovary cavity; style branched 5(6).

Fruits a samara, about 5 mm diameter. Tepals persistent in fruit resembling a shuttlecock.

Features not available.

Endemic to CEQ, occurs around Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands with one record from Shoalwater Bay. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 10 m. Grows in rainforest and coastal vine thickets.

3596