Rhodamnia maideniana

Rhodamnia maideniana
coppice leaves of Rhodamnia maideniana
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Rhodamnia
Species:	R. maideniana
Binomial name
Rhodamnia maideniana C.T.White
Synonyms
Rhodamnia trinervia var. glabra Maiden & Betche

Rhodamnia maideniana, known as the smooth scrub turpentine, is a rare sub-tropical rainforest plant of eastern Australia. It is listed on ROTAP with a rarity factor of 2RC-.^[1]

It occurs in coastal areas, north of the Richmond River, New South Wales and adjacent areas over the border into Queensland. A bushy shrub growing to 3 metres tall. The type specimen was collected by the Richmond River in April, 1891 by W. Bäuerlen.

The Generic name Rhodamnia is derived from the Greek Rhodon which means "rose". And aminon, "bowl" where the blood of lambs was poured after sacrifice. It refers to the bowl shaped calyx tubes.^[2] The specific epithet is named for the Australian botanist, Joseph Maiden.

Leaves are typical of this genus, being clearly three veined, 5 to 10 cm long, 2 to 4.5 cm wide. They are hairless, with a prominent drip tip. Oil dots may clearly be seen under a lens. The bark is similarly typical, being rough, fibrous and flaky. Small white flowers appear in late spring or early summer. The fruit is a black berry, around 10 mm in diameter.

References

1. "Rhodamnia maideniana, PlantNET - NSW Flora Online". Retrieved 21 August 2010.
2. Floyd, A. G. (2008). Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia (2nd, Revised ed.). Lismore, New South Wales: Terania Rainforest Publishing. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-958943-67-3. Retrieved 21 August 2010.