Melicytus dentatus
| Tree violet | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Melicytus |
| Species: | M. dentatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Melicytus dentatus | |
| Synonyms | |
Hymenanthera angustifolia DC.Hymenanthera banksiiF.MuellHymenanthera banksii var. angustifoliaStirlingHymenanthera dentataR.Br. ex DCHymenanthera dentata var. angustifolia(DC.) Benth.Hymenanthera dentata DC. var. dentataHymenanthera sp. aff. dentata (East Gippsland variant) Melicytus sp. aff. dentatus (East Gippsland variant) Melicytus angustifolius(DC.) Garn.-Jones | |
Melicytus dentatus, the tree violet, is a shrub that is native to south-east Australia. It grows up to 4 metres high and has branchlets that are often armed with spines and have leaves that are 5 to 50 mm long and sometimes toothed.[2] The flowers appear in spring and summer and are pale yellow, 3 to 5 mm in length, and have petals that are recurved at the tips. These are followed by pale green to purple-black, rounded berries which are 4 to 5 mm in diameter.[3][4]
The berries are consumed by Cunningham's spiny-tailed skinks.[5]
The species occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.[2]
References
- ^"Melicytus dentatus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ abT.A. James. "New South Wales Flora Online: Melicytus dentatus". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^"Hymenanthera dentata". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia.
- ^Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403X.
- ^Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains: A Gardener's Guide to the Original Flora. Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. 2012. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-909830-65-6.
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