About Melichrus procumbens (Cav.) Druce
Melichrus procumbens is a low-lying shrub that sometimes forms mats, and can grow up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) in height. Near the ends of its branches, leaves are erect or pressed against the stem, while leaves further lower on the plant are spreading. Each leaf measures 11–28 millimetres (0.43–1.10 inches) long and 1.2–4.0 millimetres (0.05–0.16 inches) wide, growing from a petiole 0.5 millimetres (0.02 inches) wide, and has 10 to 14 ribs on its lower surface. Flowers grow on the underside of branches, and are cream-coloured to pale green with a pink tinge. The bracteoles of this species are 3.0–5.5 millimetres (0.12–0.22 inches) long; sepals are 5.0–7.5 millimetres (0.2–0.3 inches) long, greenish, and covered in silky hairs. Petals form a saucer-shaped tube 2.0–2.5 millimetres (0.08–0.10 inches) long, with spreading lobes 3.0–3.5 millimetres (0.12–0.14 inches) long. Flowering occurs from February to July or September, and the fruit is a smooth, flattened spherical drupe, coloured green to red, that is 2–4 millimetres (0.08–0.16 inches) long. This species, commonly called jam tarts, grows in heath and forest on sandstone or granite, occurring from south-eastern Queensland to the coast and Hornsby Plateau near Sydney. The flowers face downwards, positioned close to the ground, which suggests this plant is pollinated by ground-crawling insects such as ants. Its common name jam tarts comes from the unusual shape of its open flower and the large quantity of nectar it produces.
