Erythroxylum australe

Family

Erythroxylaceae

Botanical Name

Erythroxylum australe F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1859) Transactions and Proceedings of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria 3: 22. Type: In the Brigolow Scrubs of East Australia, as far north as the Burdekin River..

Common name

Erythroxylum

Stem

Dead bark layered. Pale brown brittle stripes in the blaze. Blaze odour not pleasant.

Leaves

Leaf blades small, about 0.6-2.4 x 0.3-0.8 cm. Stipules very small, enclosing the terminal bud, stipular scars encircling the twig.

Flowers

Flowers about 3 mm diam. Petals with a pronounced ruffle on the inner surface midway between the base and the apex. Stamens usually ten. Staminal filaments either fused towards the base or attached to a cup-shaped structure which surrounds the lower half of the ovary. Styles almost as long as the ovary.

Fruit

Fruits +/- ellipsoid, about 5-10 mm long.

Seedlings

Cotyledons narrowly oblong, about 10-15 x 2-5 mm. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves obovate; stipules enclosing the terminal bud, narrowly triangular, 3-4 mm long, positioned between the stem and petiole.

Distribution and Ecology

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in NEQ and southwards to south-eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range in NEQ from 500-800 m. Grows in monsoon forest and similar vegetation types.