Billardiera mutabilis Salisb.

Species Identity and Growth Form

Billardiera mutabilis Salisb. is a slender climbing or twining plant with silky-hairy new stems.

Adult Leaf Morphology

Its adult leaves are mostly narrowly elliptic, measuring 18 to 80 mm (0.71 to 3.15 in) long and 3 to 18 mm (0.12 to 0.71 in) wide, and grow from a petiole 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in) long.

Flower Arrangement and Peduncle

Flowers are usually borne singly in upper leaf axils or at the ends of branches, on a slender, hanging peduncle 12 to 45 mm (0.47 to 1.77 in) long.

Sepal Characteristics

The sepals are lance-shaped and 4 to 9 mm (0.16 to 0.35 in) long.

Petal Coloration and Size

Petals are 12 to 23 mm (0.47 to 0.91 in) long, greenish-yellow, and develop a navy blue tinge as they age.

Petal Structure

Petals are joined at the base to form a bell-shaped tube, with spreading lobes that do not curve backwards.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs mainly from September to January.

Mature Fruit and Seeds

The mature fruit is a hairless green berry 10 to 20 mm (0.39 to 0.79 in) long that holds many seeds.

Similar Species Distinction

This species is similar to Billardiera scandens, differing in that B. scandens produces hairy fruit.

Common Name and Habitat

Commonly called climbing apple berry, this species grows in heathland, woodland, and forest.

Geographic Distribution

It occurs on the coasts and tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, south of approximately Kiama, through southern Victoria, and along the coasts of Tasmania.