Plant of the month 07/2021: Myrsine subsessilis

Townsville is outside the natural range of Myrsine subsessilis subsp. cryptostemon but a single specimen is growing very well in Anderson Gardens.

With masses of tiny flowers clustered along the stems, this plant made a splendid show at the time of our group’s July outing.

Photo: Beth Ballment

Small blue fruits can be expected to ripen in a few months. John’s photo below was taken several years ago in November.

Photo: John Elliott

In the wild Myrsine subsessilis subsp. cryptostemon is an uncommon rainforest shrub with a natural range from Paluma to the Endeavour River.

Curiously, the Anderson Park specimen has broader leaves (left in photo below) than the typical leaf shape (right, from Jackes 2005) for Myrsine subsessilis subsp. cryptostemon.

Myrsine subsessilis subsp. cryptostemon was one of several new Myrsine species and subspecies formally described by Betsy Jackes in 2005.
Ref: Jackes Betsy R. (2005) Revision of Myrsine (Myrsinaceae) in Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 18, 399-438.