Melicytus dentatus

Melicytus dentatus, the tree violet, is a shrub that is native to south-east Australia. It grows up to 4 metres high and has branchlets that are often armed with spines and have leaves that are 5 to 50 mm long and sometimes toothed.[2] The flowers appear in spring and summer and are pale yellow, 3 to 5 mm in length, and have petals that are recurved at the tips. These are followed by pale green to purple-black, rounded berries which are 4 to 5 mm in diameter.[3][4]

Tree violet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Melicytus
Species:
M. dentatus
Binomial name
Melicytus dentatus
(R.Br. ex DC.) Molloy & Mabb.[1]
Synonyms

Hymenanthera angustifolia DC.
Hymenanthera banksii F.Muell
Hymenanthera banksii var. angustifolia Stirling
Hymenanthera dentata R.Br. ex DC
Hymenanthera dentata var. angustifolia (DC.) Benth.
Hymenanthera dentata DC. var. dentata
Hymenanthera sp. aff. dentata (East Gippsland variant)
Melicytus sp. aff. dentatus (East Gippsland variant)
Melicytus angustifolius (DC.) Garn.-Jones

The berries are consumed by Cunningham's spiny-tailed skinks.[5]

The species occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.[2]

References
  1. "Melicytus dentatus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. T.A. James. "New South Wales Flora Online: Melicytus dentatus". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  3. "Hymenanthera dentata". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia.
  4. Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403X.
  5. Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains: A Gardener's Guide to the Original Flora. Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. 2012. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-909830-65-6.


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