Kingdom Plantae Family Apocynaceae Rank Species | Order Gentianales Genus Alyxia | |
 | ||
People also search for Alyxia lindii, Alyxia evansii | ||
Alyxia squamulosa, commonly known as Alyxia Vine, is a species of shrub in the Apocynaceae family. It is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. The specific epithet derives from the many bracteoles, or ‘scales’ (Latin: squamae, with the diminutive suffix -ulus) that subtend the flowers.
Contents
Description
The plant has a tendency to climb. Its leaves grow in whorls of five and are 2–5 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide. The fetid white flowers are about 7 mm long, clustered in dense, rounded, terminal inflorescences 2–4 cm in diameter. The fruits are drupaceous, blue-black and about 2 cm long.
Distribution and habitat
The plant is found at the upper levels of the islands two prominent peaks, Mounts Lidgbird and Gower. It is closely related to Alyxia lindii, also endemic to Lord Howe, which is found on the lower hills of the island.