Rhamnella vitiensis
| Rhamnella vitiensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Cairns, Queensland | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Rhamnella |
| Species: | R. vitiensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhamnella vitiensis | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Rhamnella vitiensis is a species of plant in the grape family Vitaceae, native to Fiji, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Queensland, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Description
Rhamnella vitiensis is a scrambling shrub or vine with a stem diameter up to 8 cm (3.1 in). The stem bark has a plaited appearance, the leaves are simple (without divisions or lobes) and are arranged alternately on the twigs. They can be upt to 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide, and are attached to the twigs by a petiole about 1 cm (0.4 in) long. About six or seven curved veins are present on either side of the midrib.[4][5]
Inflorescences are borne in the leaf axils and take the form of a cyme. The flowers are pale green and about 4 mm (0.16 in) diameter. The fruit is a black ellipsoid drupe about 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long, containing one seed.[4][5]
Distribution and habitat
In Australia this species occurs along much of Queensland's east coast, from the top of Cape York Peninsula to about Bundaberg, at altitudes from sea level to about 950 m (3,120 ft).[5] In New Caledonia it occurs in the western parts of Grande Terre and the Loyalty Islands.[6] It grows in a variety of forest types.[5][6]
Conservation status
As of June 2026, this species has been assessed to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and by the Queensland Government under its Nature Conservation Act.[1][7]
References
- 1 2 de Kok, R. (2024). "Rhamnella vitiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T211320860A212992526. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T211320860A212992526.en.
- ↑ "Rhamnella vitiensis (Benth.) A.C.Sm". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Rhamnella vitiensis (Benth.) A.C.Sm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- 1 2 Kellermann, J.; Thiele, K.R. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Rhamnella vitiensis (Benth.) A.C.Sm". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Rhamnella vitiensis (Benth.) A.C.Sm". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Rhamnella vitiensis (Benth.) F.Muell". Endemia.nc, Fauna and Flora of New Caledonia. 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "Rhamnella vitiensis". WildNet. Queensland Government. 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
External links
- Map of herbarium collections of this species at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Observations of this species on iNaturalist
- Images of this species on Flickriver.com