Secamone elliptica R.Br.

Apocynaceae

Brown, R. (1810) Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 464. Type: Northern Territory, Groote Eylandt, 4 Jan. 1803, R. Brown; lecto: BM; iso: BRI, MEL. Fide Forster & Harold (1989) Austrobaileya 3: 70.

Vine, Cork; Vine, Corky Milk; Cork Vine; Corky Milk Vine

Vine stem diameters to 5 cm recorded.

Twigs, petioles and leaves produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades about 25-55 x 8-28 mm, petioles about 2-9 mm long. Small reddish glands visible on the twigs close to the point of attachment of the petioles.

Sepals about 1.25-1.5 x 1 mm. Petals about 2.5 x 1.5 mm. Stamens fused together to form a corona and column. Anthers about 1 x 0.75 mm. Pollinia two per locule.

Fruits usually paired, each fruiting carpel oblanceolate to fusiform, about 60-70 x 5-9 mm, flat on one side. Seeds numerous, each seed flat, about 7 x 2 mm. Plume about 25-30 mm long, attached to one end of the seed. Embryo about 5-6 mm long. Cotyledons elliptic, longer and wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons elliptic, about 10-12 x 5 mm. First pair of leaves linear, about 25 x 2 mm. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade linear, about 30-40 x 2-3 mm; lateral veins difficult to discern. Stems twining, clothed in pale downward pointing curled hairs. Seed germination time 45 days.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards to north-eastern NSW. Altitudinal range in northern Australia from near sea level to 750 m. Grows in vine thicket and monsoon forest. Also occurs in Malesia and the Pacific islands.

A food plant for the larval stages of the Australian Crow and Blue Tiger Butterflies. Common & Waterhouse (1981).

Secamone elliptica R.Br. subsp. elliptica, Kew Bulletin 47(2): 605(1992). Cynanchum dichasiale O.Schwarz, Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 24 : 94(1927), Type: Port Darwin: Dry jungle climber (Bleeser no. 586, flor., no. 244 fruct.). Secamone ovata R.Br., Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 464(1810), Type: Queensland, Coen River, 6 Nov. 1802, R. Brown; lecto: BM; iso: CANB. Fide Forster & Harold (1989) Austrobaileya 3: 70.