Elaeocarpus costatus

Elaeocarpus costatus
senescent leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
Species: E. costatus
Binomial name
Elaeocarpus costatus
M.Taylor (1939)[1]

Elaeocarpus costatus is a flowering plant in the Elaeocarpaceae family. The specific epithet derives from the presence of ribs (Latin: costae) on the endocarp of the fruit.[1]

Description

It is a tree growing to 8 m in height. Its leaves are 6–9 cm long, 2.5–3 cm wide. The axillary inflorescence is some 3 cm long, bearing 8–10 pendant white flowers. The fruit is an ovoid drupe, 2 cm long and blue when ripe. The tree is often recognised in the forest by an occasional bright red leaf.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The tree is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, where it is rare. It is found at all elevations on and around Mounts Lidgbird and Gower at the southern end of the island.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 " Elaeocarpus costatus ". Flora of Australia Online: Data derived from Flora of Australia Volume 49 (1994). Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Retrieved 2014-02-05.


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