Amyema plicatula is a species of hemi-parasitic shrub found in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, New South Wales[4] and Queensland.[5][6]
| Amyema plicatula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Loranthaceae |
| Genus: | Amyema |
| Species: | A. plicatula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amyema plicatula | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
|
Amyema angularis Barlow | |
Description edit
It is an aeria,l stem-parasitic shrub, with short epicortical runners. The leaves, which are usually opposite, are elliptic to obovate, and about 5.5-11 cm by 3-8 cm, with no obvious venation. They sometimes occur in whorls of 3 to 4, on short stalks which are 0.4-0.8 cm long.[7]
The flowers occur in umbels. The primary stalk of the inflorescence is about 12-20 mm long, with the stalks in the umbels being about 5-10 mm long. The flowers in their diads or triads are stalkless. The calyx lobes are inconspicuous or non-existent. The corolla lobes are red, and about 20-23 mm by 8-10 mm. The anthers are about 3 mm long on anther filaments which are about 8 mm long. The style is about 20 mm long.[7]
The ovary is about 2-3 mm long, and the fruits are ellipsoid to obovoid, about 7-10 mm long, and the calyx limb and style often persists at the apex of the fruit.[7]
Distribution edit
In New South Wales it is found in remnant rainforests of the North Coast.[6] In Queensland it is known from just one collection in the north east[7] Outside Australia it has been found in rainforests and open humid forests from sea level to 1600 metres.[6]
Taxonomy edit
Amyema plicatula is member of the Santalales, the mistletoe order, placed within the family Loranthaceae. It was first described as Loranthus plicatulus by Kurt Krause from a specimen collected in New Guinea,[8][9] but was transferred from the genus Loranthus in 1929 by Danser.[3]
The genus name, Amyema, is derived from Greek for 'without' and 'to instruct'.[10]
Host plants edit
Downey records just one host, Dysoxylum fraseranum, in the Meliaceae family.[11]
References edit
- ^ "Species Profile and Threats Database: Amyema plicatula". Canberra: Department of Environment. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "Amyema plicatula". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ a b Danser, B.H. (1929). "On the taxonomy and nomenclature of the Loranthaceae of Asia and Australia". Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg. Série 3. 10 (3): 298.
- ^ a b "Amyema plicatula (K.Krause) Danser | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Amyema plicatula". Flora of Australia. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Wiecek, B.M. (1992). "PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System): Amyema plicatula". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Amyema plicatula". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ "Loranthus plicatulus". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ Krause, K. (1923). "Loranthaceae". Nova Guinea. 14: 102.
- ^ "Amyema". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Downey, P.O. (1998). "An inventory of host species for each aerial mistletoe species (Loranthaceae and Viscaceae) in Australia". Cunninghamia. 5 (3): 685–720.
External links edit
- Amyema plicatula (NSW PlantNET) (for images & description)
- Flora Malesiana, vol. 13: 266 f. 8 e (1974) (Figure 8.e shows the inflorescence of A. plicatula)
- Amyema plicatula occurrence data from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium