Randia audasii C.T.White

White, C.T. (1936) Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 47: 64. Type: Mowbray River, alt. 1,000ft., on rain-forest borders, L.J. Brass, No. 1956; (type; flowering speciments ); Jan. 19.

Daintree Gardenia

A small tree not exceeding 30 cm dbh.

Stipules broadly triangular, about 2-3 mm long, ending in a fine point at the apex. Leaf blades about 6.5-18 x 2.5-6 cm. Domatia are foveoles, usually with a few hairs around the orifice. Petiole grooved on the upper surface.

Calyx lobes small and inconspicuous. Flowers quite large, corolla tube about 30 mm long, pubescent on the inner surface, corolla lobes about 30 mm long. Anthers sessile, exserted, 10-11 mm long, attached to the throat of the corolla tube. Style + stigma about 40 mm long, swollen part about 7 mm long, stigmatic lobes nil or up to 1 mm long.

Fruits ovoid or ellipsoid, about 30 x 20-25 mm, calyx usually persisting at the apex. Seeds numerous, flattened, about 3.5-4 x 3 mm. Cotyledons wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons +/- orbicular, about 8-10 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate, apex acute or acuminate, base attenuate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface usually with small foveoles filled with hairs; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, apex acuminate. Seed germination time 28 to 74 days.

Endemic to NEQ, restricted to the area between Cooktown, Cairns and Atherton. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 600 m. Grows as an understory tree in well developed lowland and upland rain forest.

A well formed tree with white perfumed flowers and fruit that are orange when ripe. Not well known but deserving a place in tropical horticulture.