Opercularia varia
Hook.f. Variable StinkweedSpreading to semi-erect herb or subshrub to 30 cm high, much-branched near base; branches lax, angular, scabrous to shortly hairy. Leaves sessile, linear to ovate or lanceolate, mostly 3–18 mm long and 1.5–6 mm wide, acute, surfaces sparsely to densely hairy, lateral venation usually not apparent on lower surface; margins flat to slightly recurved (sometimes strongly recurved on drying). Inflorescences upper-axillary and terminal 2–7-flowered hemispherical heads; peduncles mostly 0–7 mm long, recurved, shorter than subtending leaves. Flowers bisexual; calyx-lobes broad-triangular, 0.5–1.5 mm long, ciliate; corolla c. 2 mm long. Capsules dehiscing by an oblique abscission leaving a star-shaped cavity when seeds shed; seeds compressed-ovoid, 1.5–3 mm long, outer surface transversely rugose, inner surface with 2 smooth longitudinal ridges, rugose. Flowers Jun.–Mar.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also SA, NSW, Tas. Widespread and often locally common throughout much of Victoria, occurring in a wide range of habitats, but commonly in heathland and heathy open-forest.
Occasional specimens may resemble the less common Opercularia ovata, but that species typically has lateral venation very apparent on the lower leaf surface.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Rubiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 616–642. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
