Gossia gonoclada

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Square-stemmed myrtle
Gossia gonoclada.jpg
specimen K000821470
(image CC-BY 4.0, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Gossia
Species:
G. gonoclada
Binomial name
Gossia gonoclada
Synonyms

Gossia gonoclada, known as the square-stemmed or angle-stemmed myrtle for the distinctive four raised corners on the angled branchlets, is a rainforest tree of the family Myrtaceae, native to south-east Queensland, Australia. It is an endangered species.

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1867 as Myrtus gonoclada by Ferdinand von Mueller, [1] [2] and in 2003 was transferred to the genus, Gossia , by Neil Snow, Gordon Guymer and Sawvel. [1] [3]

Etymology

The genus Gossia is named after former Queensland Premier, Wayne Goss. [4] The specific epithet gonoclada means "angle-stemmed". [5]

History

The tree was first discovered by Charles Stuart in Moggill in the 1850s. Thought to be extinct for nearly a century, it was rediscovered by Glenn Leiper and Janet Hauser in December 1986, and the Gossia gonoclada Recovery Team was established by the Logan City Council in December 1995. [6] [4]

Description

The leaves have four raised corners on angled branchlets, which are flushed pink when new, becoming dark green and glossy on the upper surface, duller and paler below. They produce a distinct scent when crushed. [6]

The bark is pale brown. The white flowers are 6–9 mm in diameter and have 4–5 petals. The fruits are glossy berries 7–12 mm in diameter, ripening black. The flowering period is from October to November, with the fruits ripening from mid-January to February. [6]

The tree may grow up to 18 metres (59 ft) in height. [6]

Distribution

Its known distribution is restricted to remnant lowland riparian rainforest between the Logan and Brisbane Rivers. [6]

Conservation

In 2001, 64 of the only known 73 natural Gossia gonoclada in the world were growing in the City of Logan. [4] The Logan City Council has created the "Gossia gonoclada Recovery Plan 2019-2029", and as of March 2021 had planted 160 saplings around the city. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Gossia gonoclada". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  2. Bentham, G. (5 January 1867), XLVIII. Myrtaceae- LXII. Compositae. Flora Australiensis 3: 275
  3. Neil Snow; Gordon P. Guymer; G. Sawvel (2003). "Systematics of Austromyrtus, Lenwebbia, and the Australian Species of Gossia (Myrtaceae)". Systematic Botany Monographs. 65: 1-95 [47-50, Fig. 13]. doi:10.2307/25027907. ISSN   0737-8211. JSTOR   25027907. Wikidata   Q55767955.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Stewart, Jessica (13 March 2021). "Logan City Council fights to save endangered Gossia gonoclada tree, named after former premier". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  5. "Gossia gonoclada (MYRTACEAE); Square-stemmed myrtle". Brisbane Rainforest Plants. Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network. January 1996. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gossia gonoclada (MYRTACEAE); Square-stemmed myrtle". Brisbane Rainforest Plants. Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network. 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.