Boehmeria calophleba

Boehmeria calophleba is a flowering plant in the nettle family. The specific epithet comes from the Greek calos (“beautiful”) and phlebos (“vein”), with reference to the attractive pattern made by the veins on the undersides of the leaves.^[1]

Description

It is a small tree growing to 6 m. The lanceolate leaves are usually 60–90 mm long and 25–40 mm wide. The tiny white flowers, clustered at the branch ends, appear from October to April; the stamens spring out to release pollen. The dry fruits are 4 mm long.^[1][2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. Though generally uncommon, it is locally abundant in the moist forests of the southern parts of the Island, where it forms an association with Macropiper species on the north-western slopes of Mount Lidgbird.^[1][2]

References