Astrotricha latifolia

Broad-leaf star-hair
Leaves near Elvina Bay
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Araliaceae
Genus:	Astrotricha
Species:	A. latifolia
Binomial name
Astrotricha latifolia Benth. [1]
Synonyms [1]
List Astrotricha floccosa var. incanaBenth. Astrotricha floccosa var. latifolia(Benth.) Domin nom. illeg., nom. superfl. Astrotriche floccosa var. incanaBenth. orth. var. Astrotriche latifoliaBenth. orth. var. Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Mueller, F.J.H. von (1882) Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Bailey, F.M. (1883) Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Mueller, F.J.H. von (December 1889) Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Bailey, F.M. (1900) Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Bailey, F.M. (1913) Astrotricha floccosaauct. non DC.: Stanley, T.D. in Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1986) Astrotricha floccosa var. brevifoliaauct. non F.Muell.

Inflorescences

Flowers

Astrotricha latifolia, known as the broad-leaf star-hair, ^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the Family Araliaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a large shrub with oblong to egg-shaped or elliptic leaves, and yellowish-green flowers.

Description

Astrotricha latifolia is a large shrub that typically grows to a height of 2–4 m (6 ft 7 in – 13 ft 1 in), sometimes to 9 m (30 ft) and usually has many erect to spreadig branches. Its young branches are covered with loose, fluffy hairs. The leaves are oblong to egg-shaped or elliptic, sometimes shield-shaped, 80–220 mm (3.1–8.7 in) long and 20–80 mm (0.79–3.15 in) wide on a petiole 25–80 mm (0.98–3.15 in) long. The upper surface of the leaves is smooth and green, the lower side sparsely hairy with the network of veins visible underneath. The flowers are borne in a large inflorescence up to 300 mm (12 in) long and are greenish-yellow. Flowering occursin October and November and the fruit is not winged. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Taxonomy

Astrotricha latifolia was first formally described in 1837 by George Bentham in Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel. ^{[6] [7]} The specific epithet (latifolia) means 'broad-leaved'. ^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Broad-leaf star-hair grows in wet forests or the edges of rainforest from sea level to an altitude of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in a wide variety of soil types and occurs from about Gympie in south-east Queensland to Narooma in southern coastal New South Wales and west to the Great Dividing Range

References

1. "Astrotricha latifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
2. Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2010). Native Plants of the Sydney Region. Sydney: Kangaroo Press P/L. p. 349.
3. Henwood, Murray J.; Makinson, Robert O. "Astrotricha latifolia". Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
4. Robinson, Les (1991). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. p. 129.
5. Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (1989). Native Plants of the Sydney District - An Identification Guide. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. p. 248. ISBN   0864172613.
6. "Astrotricha latifolia". APNI. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
7. Bentham, George (1837). Endlicher, Stephan F.L.; Fenzl, Eduard; Bentham, George; Schott, Heinrich Wilhelm (eds.). Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in Sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus liber baro de Hügel. London: Apud Fr. Beck Universitatis Bibliopolam. p. 54. Retrieved 24 October 2024.