Wilkiea austroqueenslandica explained

Wilkiea austroqueenslandica, commonly known as smooth wilkiea or furry-flowered wilkiea,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Monimiaceae, and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a spreading shrub or small tree with egg-shaped to elliptic leaves, male and female flowers on separate plants, male flowers with about 30 stamens, female flowers with about 35 carpels, and the fruit is a glossy, olive-black drupe with an orange fruiting receptacle.

Description

Wilkiea austroqueenslandica is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of . Its leaves are egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base to elliptic, long and wide on a petiole long, the edges of the leaves irregularly toothed and with a prominent mid-vein. Male and female flowers are borne in leaf axils on separate plants, male flowers in clusters of 7–9, long, the individual flowers in diameter on a pedicel about long, with about 30 stamens. Female flowers are borne in clusters of 7–9, long, the individual flowers in diameter on a pedicel about long, with about 35 carpels. Flowering occurs from July to December and the fruit is a glossy, olive-black drupe, long and wide, with an orange fruiting receptacle in diameter.[2]

Taxonomy

Wilkiea austroqueenslandica was first formally described in 1926 by Karel Domin in Bibliotheca Botanica, from specimens collected on Tamborine Mountain.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Wilkiea grows in rainforest at altitudes up to from the McPherson Range in south-east Queensland to the Richmond and Tweed Rivers in north-eastern New South Wales.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wiffin . Trevor P. . Foreman . Donald B. . Wilkiea austroqueenslandica . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 7 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Harden . Gwen J. . Wilkiea austroqueenslandica . Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney . 7 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Wilkiea austroqueenslandica . Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) . . 7 May 2024.