Gouania australiana
| Gouania australiana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Gouania |
| Species: | G. australiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Gouania australiana | |
Gouania australiana is a species of plant in the family Rhamnaceae, first described in 1864. It is native to the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia, and has a conservation status of least concern.
Description
Gouania australiana is a vine with a stem diameter up to 6 cm (2.4 in), which climbs by the use of tendrils growing from the leaf axils or at the ends of the branches. All parts of the plant have a dense covering of fine hairs. The leaves are almost circular in shape, growing up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide, with a cordate base and an acuminate (shorty pointed) tip. The margins of the leaf blade are finely toothed, more so towards the tip.[3][4][5]
The inflorescence is much-branched and consists of a number of spikes; they are clustered at the ends of the branches. Flowers are reported to have a pleasant fragrance,[3] and are about 3 mm (0.12 in) diameter. Both the calyx and petals are white.[4][5]
The fruit is a cluster of three pale brown samaras about 5 mm (0.20 in) wide and long, each with one seed about 1 mm (0.04 in) long.[5]
Phenology
Flowering occurs between June and October, fruit occur between September and January.[5]
Distribution and habitat
It is endemic to the Wet Tropics area of Queensland and grows in lowland rainforest between the Daintree River in the north to Tully in the south.[4][5] The altitudinal range is from near sea level to about 300 m (980 ft).[3]
Conservation
This species is listed as least concern under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act.[6] As of 12 June 2026, it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Gallery
Leaves
Tendril
Flowers
Fruit
References
- ↑ "Gouania australiana F.Muell". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Gouania australiana F.Muell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Gouania australiana F.Muell". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Kellermann, J.; Thiele, K.R. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Gouania australiana F.Muell". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 425. ISBN 978-0-9581742-1-3.
- ↑ "Gouania australiana". WildNet. Queensland Government. 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
External links
- Map of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- Observations of this species on iNaturalist
- Images of this species on Flickriver.com