NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE

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Description: Small tree to 5 m high; bark grey, smooth to slightly rugose.

Leaves with lamina elliptic to ovate, leaves (4-)6–9(-13) cm long, (2-)3–4(-6) cm wide, glabrous, upper surface dark green, lower surface paler; glands submarginal, 2–3 mm above base of lamina; petiole 5–15(-25) mm long, with slightly swollen joint at apex, and slightly swollen at the base.

Inflorescense terminal or subterminal, a raceme of 3 flowers or reduced to solitary flower. Flowers unisexual, unclear whether plants are monoecious or dioecius. Female floral axes 3–8 mm long. Female flower actinomorphic, 10–15 mm diameter, petals white, styles yellow, radiating from apex of ovary. Male floral axes 3–7 mm long, male flower actinomorphic, 10–15 mm diameter; stamens 20–25, erect in central cluster, basally connate.

Fruit ellipsoidal, pink-orange, 25–30mm long, 16–24 mm diameter, the intersutural surface of the endocarp markedly rugose.

Flower Photo A.S. Benwell

Fruit Photo A.S. Benwell

Flowering: September – November

Distribution and occurrence: Distribution and occurrence: Known from two sites north of Coffs Harbour in Korora, from very few individuals. As of September 2021, there are known to be 2 mature fruiting individuals and numerous seedlings.

Grows in pockets of wet sclerophyll forest, dominated by Brush Box with rainforest elements, near creeks.
NSW subdivisions: NC

Threatened species: NSW BCA: Critically Endangered

AVH map***

This species is similar to Fontainea oraria but differs by its unique ellipsoidal endocarps. This description will be updated as more data becomes available.

A Provisional listing on an emergency basis of this taxon as Critically Endangered was published on 15 October 2021.

Proposed Critically Endangered Species listing - Preliminary Determination open for comments until 25 February 2023. More information can be found here .