Tetracera daemeliana, commonly known as large-leaved fire vine, is a vine in the guinea flower family Dilleniaceae first described in 1886, which is endemic to the northern half of Queensland, Australia. The flowers are pleasantly perfumed.
| Large-leaved fire vine | |
|---|---|
| |
| Infructescence | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Dilleniales |
| Family: | Dilleniaceae |
| Genus: | Tetracera |
| Species: | T. daemeliana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tetracera daemeliana | |
Description
editTetracera daemeliana is a twining vine whose stems may reach 12 cm (4.7 in) in diameter and become woody. The leaves are generally around 20 cm (7.9 in) long by 7 cm (2.8 in) wide, with 15–16 lateral veins and a winged petiole up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long. It is often difficult to determine where the petiole ends and the leaf blade begins. The leaves are glabrous on both sides, glossy above and dull underneath.[4][5][6]
The inflorescence is a terminal panicle with up to a hundred or more flowers. The fragrant flowers are rather small with five sepals about 6 mm (0.24 in) long and three pale petals about 6 mm (0.24 in) long.[4][5][6]
The fruit is a dry capsule with three or four carpels, initially green and turning brown when mature. The calyx is persistent at the base of the fruit, becoming the "horns" that are the basis of the genus name. The fruit dehisces to reveal bright red, frilled arils surrounding each small black seed.[4][5][6]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first described by the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, based on material collected by Eduard Daemel at the very top of Cape York Peninsula. Mueller published it in his massive work Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ in 1886.[7]
Etymology
editThe genus name Tetracera is from the Ancient Greek words τετρα- (tetra-), meaning four, and κέρας (kéras), meaning horn, and it refers to the fruit which are beaked or horned. The species epithet daemeliana is named after the collector Eduard Daemel.[4][6]
Distribution and habitat
editThe large-leaved fire vine is endemic to northeastern Queensland and Cape York Peninsula, from around the Mission Beach area to the tip of Cape York.[8] It grows in beach forest, monsoon forest, gallery forest and lowland rainforest. at altitudes from sea level up to about 250 m (820 ft).[5]
Conservation
editThis species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern.[1] As of 18 January 2024[update], it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Gallery
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Vine stem -
Foliage -
Winged petiole -
Leaf and stem -
Dehiscing fruit
References
edit- ^ a b "Species profile—Tetracera daemeliana". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Tetracera daemeliana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Tetracera daemeliana F.Muell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Hammer, Timothy A. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Tetracera daemeliana". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Tetracera daemeliana". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 151. ISBN 978-0958174213.
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand von (1866). Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ. Melbourne: Joannis Ferres. p. 191.
- ^ "Search: species: Tetracera daemeliana | Occurrence records". Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Australian Government. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
External links
edit
Data related to Tetracera daemeliana at Wikispecies
Media related to Tetracera daemeliana at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver
