Melicytus dentatus, the tree violet, is a shrub that is native to south-east Australia. It grows up to 4 metres high and has branchlets that are often armed with spines and have leaves that are 5 to 50 mm long and sometimes toothed.[2] The flowers appear in spring and summer and are pale yellow, 3 to 5 mm in length, and have petals that are recurved at the tips. These are followed by pale green to purple-black, rounded berries which are 4 to 5 mm in diameter.[3][4]
| Tree violet | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Melicytus |
| Species: | M. dentatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melicytus dentatus | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Hymenanthera angustifolia DC. | |
The berries are consumed by Cunningham's spiny-tailed skinks.[5]
The species occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Melicytus dentatus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ a b T.A. James. "New South Wales Flora Online: Melicytus dentatus". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^ "Hymenanthera dentata". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia.
- ^ Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403X.
- ^ Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains: A Gardener's Guide to the Original Flora. Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. 2012. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-909830-65-6.
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