Leichhardtia rostrata, synonym Marsdenia rostrata, is a common climbing plant found in eastern Australia (Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria).[1] This member of the dogbane family features white milky sap, when leaves are broken from the stem. It is found in a variety of habitats in relatively high rainfall areas, including rainforest and wet eucalyptus forest. Widespread in distribution in coastal regions, though it also appears inland in places such as the Liverpool Range. It may grow to ten metres tall, with a woody stem up to 4 cm wide. Leaves range from 4 to 13 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide. The fruit is somewhat pear shaped, 5 cm by 2.5 cm.
| Leichhardtia rostrata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lane Cove, Australia | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Leichhardtia |
| Species: | L. rostrata
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| Binomial name | |
| Leichhardtia rostrata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The specific epithet rostrata is from ancient Greek, and it refers to the beaked head of the flower's stigma.[3] In 1810, this species first appeared in scientific literature, in the Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Leichhardtia rostrata (R.Br.) P.I.Forst". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ "Leichhardtia rostrata (R.Br.) P.I.Forst". The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 327
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