Grewia insularis is a species of flowering plant in the Malvaceae, or mallow family, that is endemic to Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. Its specific epithet is the Latin for insular, referring to its island location.[2]

Grewia insularis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Grewia
Species:
G. insularis
Binomial name
Grewia insularis

Description edit

Grewia insularis is a shrub or small tree. Its leaves are oblong to ovate, 40–110 mm long. The yellow flowers are usually 1–3 in an umbel, often with several umbels from one leaf-axil. The fruit is purple, often reduced to a subglobose drupe about 3 mm long.[2]

Distribution and habitat edit

Found only on Christmas Island, it occurs on the terraces on the northern coast.[2]

Relationships edit

The fruit and flowers of G. insularis are similar to those of G. glabra, while the shape of its leaves closely resemble those of G. eriocarpa.

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Ridley (1906).
  2. ^ a b c Flora of Australia Online.

Sources edit

  • Ridley, H.N. (1906). Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 45: 181. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • "Grewia insularis Ridl". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 2010-11-26.