Timonius singularis (F.Muell.) L.S.Sm.

Rubiaceae

Smith, L.S. (1957) Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 68: 50.

Fig, False; False Fig

Usually an epiphyte but occasionally found as a lithophyte, resembling a fig (Ficus spp.). Hard, brittle, longitudinal stripes usually visible in the inner blaze.

Stipules glabrous, about 20-55 mm long, gradually tapering to a fine point at the apex. Leaf blades about 5.5-12 x 1.7-4.7 cm. Reticulate veins fine and parallel to the primary veins, visible only on dry leaves. Domatia, if present, are elongated slit-like foveoles along side the midrib.

Inflorescence much shorter than the leaves. Corolla glabrous on the outer surface, tube about 6-12 mm long, lobes about 6-7 mm long with conspicuous, longitudinal, crenate, glandular ridges, margins wavy or crenate. Anthers sessile, about 5-7 mm long. Ovary about 3 mm long. Style about 5 mm long.

Fruits depressed globular, about 10 x 15 mm. Seeds about 4 x 1-1.3 mm. Embryo about 3-4 mm long. Cotyledons about as wide as the radicle.

Cotyledons ovate, about 4-5 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade obovate or elliptic, apex acuminate, base attenuate, glabrous, secondary venation +/- parallel to primary veins; stipules interpetiolar, sheathing, oblong-triangular with a few hairs on the outer surface. Seed germination time 8 to 31 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from 400-1200 m. Grows in well developed upland and mountain rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Fruit eaten by several species of birds. Cooper & Cooper (1994).

Abbottia singularis F.Muell., Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9: 181(1875), Type: In regione montana circum Rockinghams Bay; Dallachy.