Polyosma_hirsuta

<i>Polyosma hirsuta</i>

Polyosma hirsuta

Species of plant in the family Escalloniaceae

Polyosma hirsuta, commonly known as hairy polyosma, is a plant in the family Escalloniaceae which is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia.[4][5] It is an evergreen small tree growing up to 10 m (33 ft) high. The leaves may be 6 to 14 cm (2.4 to 5.5 in) long and 2 to 5 cm (0.79 to 1.97 in) wide, often with toothed margins and each tooth exhibiting a short stiff spine.[4][5] Most parts of the plant, including the twigs, leaves and fruit, are clothed in fine pale brown hairs.[4][5]

Quick Facts Hairy Polyosma, Conservation status ...

The inflorescence is a raceme (an unbranched spike) produced in the leaf axils or at the ends of branches.[4][5] The cream-coloured flowers are tubular, about 12 mm (0.47 in) long by 3 mm (0.12 in) wide.[4][5] The fruit is a rounded or ovoid, dark purple or black berry containing a single seed. The fruit measures about 20 mm × 14 mm (0.79 in × 0.55 in) and the seed about 10 mm × 7 mm (0.39 in × 0.28 in).[4][5]

Taxonomy

The hairy polyosma was first described in 1918 by the Australian botanist Cyril Tenison White, based on material collected by the Reverend Norman Michael, an enthusiastic collector of botanic specimens in Queensland.[4][6] Michael found the plant in the vicinity of the Johnstone River.[2][4] White's description was published in Botany Bulletin, a publication of the then Queensland Department of Agriculture.[2][4]

Etymology

The genus name Polyosma is compounded from the Ancient Greek word poly meaning "many", and the Latin word osma, meaning "odour" or "smell". The species epithet hirsuta is from the Latin hirsutus meaning "hairy".[5]

Distribution and habitat

Polyosma hirsuta is restricted to a small part of northeastern Queensland, on the coast and adjacent highlands from near Cooktown in the north to about Tully in the south.[4][5] It grows as an understory tree in rainforest, at altitudes from near sea level to around 1,300 m (4,300 ft).[4][5]

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern.[1] As of 25 July 2023, it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

  • Flowers
  • Leaf, showing toothed margins
  • Twig and leaves
  • Fruit
  • Fruit and seed

References

  1. [1]
    "Species profile—Polyosma hirsuta". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Polyosma hirsuta". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  3. [3]
    "Polyosma hirsuta C.T. White". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  4. [4]
    F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Polyosma hirsuta". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  5. [5]
    Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 226. ISBN 9780958174213.
  6. [6]
    "Michael, Norman (Rev.) (1884 - 1951)". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Australian Government. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
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