Mallotus ficifolius (Baill.) Pax & K.Hoffm.

Euphorbiaceae

Pax, F.A. & Hoffmann, K. (1914) Das Pflanzenreich Heft 63 63: 151.

Fig-leaved mallotus

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub 1-3 m tall.

Leaf blades about 8-25 x 5-16 cm, stellate hairs present on both the upper and lower surfaces but much denser on the lower surface. Petioles densely clothed in hairs but the hairs are often so dense it is difficult to tell if they are stellate or not. Two or more flat glands present on the upper surface of the leaf blade near its junction with the petiole. Terminal buds and young shoots densely clothed in stellate hairs. Stipules stellate hairy.

Flowers about 3-4 mm diam. Outer surface of the tepals densely clothed in stellate hairs. Anther locules usually quite discrete and separated from one another at the apex by a glandular tip or extension of the connective. Ovary clothed in stellate hairs. Stigma or style 3-lobed with about 100 divisions per lobe.

Fruits densely muricate, about 8-11 mm diam., the processes completely obscuring the surface of the capsule, each process clothed in stellate hairs.

Features not available.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 500 m. Grows as an understory plant in disturbed areas in rain forest and monsoon forest.

Mallotus claoxyloides var. ficifolius Benth., Flora Australiensis 6: 141(1873). Echinus claoxyloides var. ficifolius Baill., Adansonia 6: 315(1866), Type: Queensland, Rockhampton, Dallachy 47; lecto: MEL. Fide Forster (1999) Austrobaileya 5: 468. Mallotus claoxyloides f. grossedentata Domin, Bibliotheca Botanica 89(4): 888(1928), Type: Queensland, Brisbane River (Probably Port Mackay), 1863 - 1865, A. Dietrich 1834; Holo: PR; iso: MEL. Fide Forster (1999). Mallotus claoxyloides var. macrophyllus Benth., Flora Australiensis 6: 141(1873), Type: Queensland, Rockingham Bay, Dallachy; holo: K; iso: MEL. Fide Forster (1999).