Androcalva fraseri (J.Gay) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock

Growth Form

Androcalva fraseri is a small tree or shrub that typically reaches 3–9 m in height and 2–4 m in width. It forms suckers and has a trunk that can grow up to 15 cm in diameter.

Leaf Arrangement and Shape

Its leaves are arranged alternately along stems, and can be egg-shaped to broadly triangular, or broadly lance-shaped to heart-shaped. Leaves range from 6–160 mm long and 50–80 mm wide, and grow on a petiole up to 15 mm long.

Leaf Stipules

2–3 mm long stipules are present at the leaf base, but fall off as leaves mature.

Leaf Surface and Margins

Leaf edges are irregularly toothed; the upper leaf surface is dull green and sparsely hairy, while the lower surface is covered in fine, silvery, star-shaped hairs.

Inflorescence Structure

White flowers of this species grow in clusters of 13 to 21 on a 30–110 mm long peduncle. Each individual flower sits on a 3–8 mm long pedicel, with 2–12 mm long bracts at its base.

Flower Morphology

Flowers are 6–10 mm wide, with 5 white petal-like sepals and 5 petals, and the ligule is slightly longer than the sepals. Between each pair of stamens are 3 staminodes: the central staminode is spatula-shaped, and the other two are linear.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs from August to April, peaking between September and November.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruit is a bristly capsule 15–20 mm in diameter.

Distribution and General Habitat

Androcalva fraseri grows in rainforest and wet eucalypt forest along and east of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales and southeastern Queensland.

Associated Tree Species

In wet eucalypt forest habitat, it is associated with the tree species Angophora floribunda (rough-barked apple), Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), and Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney blue gum).

Colonization Traits

This is a fast-growing plant that can colonize disturbed ground, especially in areas where vegetation has been partly cleared, such as under power lines.

Ecological Role

Ecologically, this species acts as an adult host plant for the chrysomelid beetle Podagra submetallica.

Horticultural Use

In horticulture, Androcalva fraseri propagates readily from cuttings taken in winter, and grows better with additional moisture when under cultivation.