Astrotricha pterocarpa Benth. APNI* Description: Slender shrub to 7 m high, usually single-stemmed. Lower parts of stems glabrous, marked with leaf scars, upper part of stems covered by brown stellate tomentum.
Leaves lanceolate, 15–27 cm long, 1.7–4 cm wide; apex acute, base obtuse or slightly cordate; blades discolorous, upper surface glabrous and dark green; lower surface with dense, brown, stellate tomentum; midrib impressed above, prominent below, acute in cross section; petiole 5.5–12.5 cm long, flattened at base, covered by dense, brown, stellate tomentum.
Inflorescence a terminal panicle, up to 100 x 50 cm, rachises, peduncles and pedicels all floccose, with stellate hairs; bracts linear, 2–10 mm long,; unit inflorescence umbellate, 10–15-flowered. Flowers mostly bisexual, creamy or pale green, calyx teeth 5, acute. Petals 5, hairy outside, glabrous inside, caducous. Stamens 5, creamy, alternating with the petals, anthers dehiscing by longitudinal splits; ovary inferior, 2-locular, styles 2, recurved.
Fruit a schizocarp, rarely dehiscent, pubescent, slightly fleshy, laterally compressed; elliptical, c. 12 x 7 mm, with persistent styles; initially not winged, as fruits mature epicarp expanding to form 2 distinct papery wings, at right angles to orientation of fruit and styles; wings each c. 11 x 5 mm; pedicels 4–5 mm long.
Flowering: July–October
Distribution and occurrence: Shallow sandy soil over sandstone in eucalypt woodland.
NSW subdivisions: NC
Text by S.F. McCune
Taxon concept: Bean, A.R. Austrobaileya 3(3):527 (1991)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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