Melichrus hirsutus J.B.Williams ex H.T.Kenn. & I.Telford
| Family Ericaceae
Subfamily Epacridoideae |
Melichrus hirsutus J.B.Williams ex H.T.Kenn. & I.Telford APNI* Synonyms: Melichrus sp. Newfoundland State Forest (P.Gilmour 7852) APNI*
Melichrus hirsutus J.B.Williams MS APNI*
Melichrus sp. A sensu Harden (1993) APNI*
Description: Shrub, 20–70 cm high; many-stemmed from the base, stems ascending; branchlets sericeous.
Leaves mostly erect, horizontally spreading near base of branch, narrowly ovate, 20–33 mm long, 2.6–5.0 mm wide, narrowly acute, aristate tip 0.7–0.9 mm long, base ± truncate; petiole 0–0.3 mm long; lamina flat, glabrous above, sericeous with long and short hairs below, margin densely ciliate, not hyaline.
Flowers erect to spreading, red or pink, 5–6 mm diam. Bracts and bracteoles broadly ovate, acute, sericeous; bracteoles 4.5–6 mm long. Sepals narrowly ovate, long-acuminate to almost subulate, 7.5–9 mm long. Corolla urceolate; tube 2.8–3.4 mm long, lobes 2.2–3.2 mm long. Filaments 0.5–1 mm long; anthers 1.5–1.7 mm long. Ovary 5-locular.
Fruits fleshy, broadly ellipsoid 4.8–5.1 mm long, 3.4–4.1 mm wide, apex rounded, surface smooth, red brown at maturity, style persistent. Enclosed by or exceeding persistent calyx at maturity.
Flowering: Flowers March – August.
Distribution and occurrence: Known from north-west of Grafton to the Glenreagh area of N.S.W. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest on poor sandy soils over sandstone.
NSW subdivisions: NC
Threatened species: NSW BCA: Endangered; Commonwealth EPBC: Endangered
Text by E.A. Brown (edited A.E. Orme & G. Lowe, 5 June 2025)
Taxon concept: J.B. Williams, H.T. Kennedy and I.R.H. Telford
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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