Josephinia imperatricis Vent.

Ventenat, E.P. (1804) Jardin de la Malmaison 2: 67. Type: Elle provient de graines rapportees de la Nouvelle Hollande (Hamelin).

Usually grows as a trailing herb but can flower and fruit as a shrub about 1 m tall.

Leaf blades about 3-12 x 0.7-6 cm, aromatic or strongly scented when crushed; petioles comparatively long, about 2-4 cm, channelled on the upper surface.

Calyx about 4-5 mm long. Corolla externally hairy, about 27-32 mm long with one lobe larger than the rest and with red and violet spots on the inner surface. Ovary 3-4-locular, stigmas 3-4.

Fruits globular, about 8-15 mm diam. overall including the numerous stout spines. Spines about 2.5-3.5 mm long. Fruits 4-8-celled with each cell containing one seed.

Features not available.

Occurs in NT, CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to about 100-300 m. Usually grows in vegetation close to the sea but occasionally found in vine thickets. Also occurs in Malesia.