Hypsophila halleyana F.Muell.

Celastraceae

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1887) The Victorian Naturalist 3: 168. Type: In the highest region of Mount Bellenden-Ker, 1887, descending to about 4000 feet; W. Sayer. Syn: MEL.

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. A thin orange layer usually visible under the dead bark.

Leafy twigs often zig-zagged, 2-winged, the wings extending from one petiole to the point of attachment of the next lower petiole. Leaf blades about 4-9 x 1.5-3 cm. Midrib raised on the upper surface. Lateral veins scarcely visible on the underside of the leaf blade of fresh leaves. Stipules aristate but visible only on very young twigs.

Inflorescence usually one or 2-branched. Primary peduncle about 5-17(-35) mm long. Petals about 4 mm long. Disk surrounding the stamens and ovary. Ovary with 6 ovules per locule.

Capsules about 5 cm long. Aril much wider than the seed. Seeds on elongated funicles. Seeds about 7 x 5 mm, embryo pale green, about 4.5 x 1 mm, cotyledons about 3.5 mm long, slightly wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons linear to oblong, about 8 x 3 mm, base cuneate with a wing from the petiole extending down the stem. First pair of leaves toothed. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, apex apiculate, base cuneate, margin with 2-4 teeth on each side near the apex, midrib raised on the upper surface. Leaf decurrent with two narrow wings extending from the base of the petiole down the twig. Stipules about 1 mm long, apex aristate. Roots orange in colour. Seed germination time 357 to 618 days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to Mt Bartle Frere and the Bellenden Ker Range. Altitudinal range from 1300-1600 m. Grows in stunted mountain rain forest on windswept ridges often among granite boulders.

Drimys oblonga S.Moore, J. Bot. 55: 302(1917), Type: Qld, Mt Bellenden Ker, Gibbs 6319; holo: BM.