About Rhodamnia maideniana C.T.White
Rhodamnia maideniana, commonly called the smooth scrub turpentine, is a rare subtropical rainforest plant native to eastern Australia. It is listed on ROTAP with a rarity factor of 2RC-. This species grows in coastal regions north of the Richmond River, New South Wales, and extends into adjacent areas across the border into Queensland. It grows as a bushy shrub that reaches up to 3 metres in height. The type specimen was collected by W. Bäuerlen along the Richmond River in April 1891. The generic name Rhodamnia comes from Greek words: rhodon, meaning 'rose', and aminon, meaning 'bowl' (the bowl where lamb's blood was poured after sacrifice). This name refers to the bowl-shaped calyx tubes of the plant. Its specific epithet honors Joseph Maiden, an Australian botanist. Its leaves match the typical form of the Rhodamnia genus, with three distinct veins. Leaves measure 5 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4.5 cm wide. They are hairless, have a prominent drip tip, and their oil dots are clearly visible when viewed under a lens. The bark is also typical for the genus, being rough, fibrous, and flaky. Small white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer. The fruit is a black berry, approximately 10 mm in diameter.
