Androcalva pearnii

Androcalva pearnii is a suckering shrub that typically grows to 0.3–1 m (1 ft 0 in – 3 ft 3 in) high and wide, its new growth covered with fine, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are oblong to elliptic, 10–50 mm (0.39–1.97 in) long and 6–16 mm (0.24–0.63 in) wide on a petiole 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) long with narrowly triangular stipules 1–6 mm (0.039–0.236 in) long at the base. The edges of the leaves are wavy with 5 to 7 pairs of rounded lobes 1–10 mm (0.039–0.394 in) long and both surfaces of the leaves are covered with velvety hairs. The flowers are arranged in groups of 3 to 8 on a peduncle 1 mm (0.039 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 0.5–0.8 mm (0.020–0.031 in) long, with bracts 1–5 mm (0.039–0.197 in) long at the base. The flowers are white and cream-coloured to pale green and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in diameter with 5 petal-like sepals, the lobes 1.4–1.5 mm (0.055–0.059 in) long and wide. The petals are white, 1.3–1.5 mm (0.051–0.059 in) long, and there are 3 staminodes between each pair of stamens. Flowering occurs from September to December and in March.[2][3]

This species was first formally described in 2005 by Gordon Guymer who gave it the name Commersonia pearnii in the journal Austrobaileya from specimens collected by Paul Forster near Charlevue Lookout in the Blackdown Tableland National Park in 2005.[4] In 2011, Carolyn Wilkins and Barbara Whitlock transferred the species to Androcalva as A. pearnii in Australian Systematic Botany.[5] The specific epithet (pearnii) honours Professor John Pearn.[3]

Androcalva pearnii grows in open forest on the Blackdown Tableland in eastern Queensland.[2][3]