Psydrax oleifolia

Psydrax oleifolia, commonly known as wild lemon or brush myrtle, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Rubiaceae.[1] It is endemic to eastern and inland Australia, (Queensland and New South Wales).[3][4]

Psydrax oleifolia
Stand of P.oleifolia near Turrawan
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Psydrax
Species:
P. oleifolia
Binomial name
Psydrax oleifolia
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]

Canthium oleifolium Hook.

Description

Psydrax oleifolia is a small tree or shrub which can grow up to 7 m high. The bark is grey. The trunk is erect and the stiff branches are roughly horizontal branches. The juvenile plants often have large spines.

The leaves are roughly erect, and 4.5–6.5 cm long by 17–24 mm wide. They have an obtuse apex and a lamina which is yellowish green or pale green. Their venation is obscure and they are thick and leathery on petioles of about 1 cm.

The fragrant flowers are few to many, in dense cymose panicles to 2.6 cm long and 1.5–4.0 cm across, with 23–39 flowers. The calyx is 1–2 mm long, and 4- or 5-lobed. The white corolla has a tube which is 1.5–2 mm long and four to five lobes which are 3–5 mm long. The stigma is mitre-shaped. The fruit is a black drupe which is about 6 mm wide.[4]

  • Psydrax oleifolia flowers
  • Horizontal branches
  • Developing fruit

References
  1. "Psydrax oleifolia". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Reynolds, S.T. & Henderson, R.J.F. (2004). "Vanguerieae A.Rich. ex Dum. (Rubiaceae) in Australia, 3. Psydrax Gaertn". Austrobaileya. 6 (4): 871–874, Fig 7, Map 13. JSTOR 41739064.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Psydrax oleifolia occurrence data from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium". avh.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  4. Herscovitch, C. (2004). "PlantNET - FloraOnline: Psydrax oleifolia". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-02-12.


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