Common name: Leafless Ballart
Exocarpos aphyllus R.Br. APNI* Synonyms: Exocarpus aphyllus orth. var. R.Br. APNI*
Description: Much-branched shrub or small tree to 5 m high, grey-green or olive-green; branches stout, rigid, usually divaricate, sometimes spinescent, stellate-hairy when young.
Leaves scale-like, ovate, c. 1 mm long, early caducous.
Flowers very small, axillary, sessile, in dense ovoid clusters or spikes, 2–5 mm long. Tepals mostly 5, triangular, 0.5–1 mm long. Fruiting pedicel depressed-obovoid, 1–2 mm long, cream-coloured turning pink to red.
Drupe ovoid, 3–5 mm long, ± ribbed, almost black when ripe; tepals persistent.
Flowering: mainly July–September
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in woodland communities, widespread in various habitats, west from Gunnedah and Temora districts.
NSW subdivisions: NWS, CWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP, SWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. W.A. S.A.
Text by B. Wiecek
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
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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