Gossia gonoclada
| Square-stemmed myrtle | |
|---|---|
| |
| specimen K000821470 (image CC-BY 4.0, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Gossia |
| Species: | G. gonoclada
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gossia gonoclada | |
| Synonyms | |
Gossia gonoclada, known as the square-stemmed or angle-stemmed myrtle for the distinctive four raised corners on the angled branchlets, is a rainforest tree of the family Myrtaceae, native to south-east Queensland, Australia. It is an endangered species.
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was first described in 1867 as Myrtus gonoclada by Ferdinand von Mueller,[1][2] and in 2003 was transferred to the genus, Gossia, by Neil Snow, Gordon Guymer and Sawvel.[1][3]
Etymology
[edit]The genus Gossia is named after former Queensland Premier, Wayne Goss.[4] The specific epithet gonoclada means "angle-stemmed".[5]
History
[edit]The tree was first discovered by Charles Stuart in Moggill in the 1850s. Thought to be extinct for nearly a century, it was rediscovered by Glenn Leiper and Janet Hauser in December 1986, and the Gossia gonoclada Recovery Team was established by the Logan City Council in December 1995.[6][4]
Description
[edit]The leaves have four raised corners on angled branchlets, which are flushed pink when new, becoming dark green and glossy on the upper surface, duller and paler below. They produce a distinct scent when crushed.[6]
The bark is pale brown. The white flowers are 6–9 mm in diameter and have 4–5 petals. The fruits are glossy berries 7–12 mm in diameter, ripening black. The flowering period is from October to November, with the fruits ripening from mid-January to February.[6]
The tree may grow up to 18 metres (59 ft) in height.[6]
Distribution
[edit]Its known distribution is restricted to remnant lowland riparian rainforest between the Logan and Brisbane Rivers.[6]
Conservation
[edit]In 2001, 64 of the only known 73 natural Gossia gonoclada in the world were growing in the City of Logan.[4] The Logan City Council has created the "Gossia gonoclada Recovery Plan 2019-2029", and as of March 2021[update] had planted 160 saplings around the city.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Gossia gonoclada". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ^ Bentham, G. (5 January 1867), XLVIII. Myrtaceae- LXII. Compositae. Flora Australiensis 3: 275
- ^ Neil Snow; Gordon P. Guymer; G. Sawvel (2003). "Systematics of Austromyrtus, Lenwebbia, and the Australian Species of Gossia (Myrtaceae)". Systematic Botany Monographs. 65: 1-95 [47-50, Fig. 13]. doi:10.2307/25027907. ISSN 0737-8211. JSTOR 25027907. Wikidata Q55767955.
- ^ a b c d Stewart, Jessica (13 March 2021). "Logan City Council fights to save endangered Gossia gonoclada tree, named after former premier". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Gossia gonoclada (MYRTACEAE); Square-stemmed myrtle". Brisbane Rainforest Plants. Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network. January 1996. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Gossia gonoclada (MYRTACEAE); Square-stemmed myrtle". Brisbane Rainforest Plants. Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network. 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
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