Astrotricha ledifolia
DC. Common Star-hairSpreading to weakly erect shrub 0.5–1(–1.5) m high; stems felted. Leaves narrowly ovate or narrowly oblong-elliptic, 13–35(–45) mm long, 3–5(–8) mm wide, obtuse or rounded, or rarely subacute, upper surface weakly convex to flat, with sparsely to densely distributed granules and usually also a few much larger pointed protuberances (usually larger towards the margins), midvein channelled above, usually evident beneath indumentum below, margins recurved; petiole 1.5–2.5(–5) mm long. Inflorescence 25–55(–110) mm long; axis felted to closely floccose; bracts narrowly triangular to subulate or linear, 1.5–3 mm long. Pedicels 3–6 mm long; petals 2–2.5 mm long, those of terminal (primary) and lateral umbels c. concolorous, cream to white (rarely becoming purple or pale green); anthers c. 1 mm long. Fruit compressed, obloid to slightly obovoid, 2.5–5 mm long, 2.9–4 mm wide, not locellate. Flowers Oct.(Brisbane Ranges), Dec.–Jan.(north–east).
Wim, VVP, VRiv, GipP, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also NSW. Known in Victoria from 2 disjunct occurrences: in the far north-east (Dellicknora-Mt Tingaringy area) and in the Brisbane Ranges. Grows in loam or light clay soils, often favouring mechanically disturbed sites. Regenerates from seed and/or root-suckers.
In the far north-east of Victoria and in New South Wales, A. ledifolia is a root-suckering shrublet with several erect stems, and narrowly oblong-elliptic leaves. In the Brisbane Ranges, plants have more spreading branches and the leaves ovate or narrowly triangular (broadest at base), with a rougher upper surface and the petals more frequently empurpled with age; root-suckering has not been recorded in this population. The latter population may warrant recognition as a distinct taxon.
Henwood, M.J.; Makinson, R.O.; Maling, K.L. (1999). Araliaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 243–256. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning