B. macintyreana

Culture

Endangered Status

VU D2

Original Botanical Description or Link to

Erect glabrous branching herb to c.80 cm high. Stem woody at base, c.12 mm across, internodes 5–8 cm. Stipules 10 6 8 mm, broadly lanceolate with a filiform extension at the tip, semi-persistent. Petioles 4–7 cm long. Leaves very asymmetric, up to c.15 cm long from base to tip and up to 7 cm wide, midrib 6–10 cm, ovate–lanceolate with an acute tip, margin scalloped and denticulate, cordate at the base, deep glossy green above and pale grey-green below. Inflorescence bisexual, terminal or axillary, protogynous; bracts lanceolate, 3 mm long, deciduous. Male flowers borne distally to the female in a monochasial cyme usually comprised of three main axes each with c.30 male flowers; tepals 2, 12 6 12 mm, shield shaped, base sub-cordate to truncate, apex slightly pointed, white; stamens c.35, yellow, anthers c.0.75 mm long, dehiscing through slits c.half as long as the anther, filaments up to twice as long, slightly fused at the base. Female flowers borne in pairs at the base of the inflorescence; pedicels c.12 mm long; tepals 5, equal, ovate-lanceolate, 20 6 13 mm, white to palest pink; styles 3, twice spirally twisted, orange, deciduous; ovary 12 6 18 mm with 3 equal wings, obtusely indented across the apex, pale pink with darker venation, placentation axile, placentae bifid, wings rounded at the base, acute at the tip, extended distally. Fruit 15 6 22 mm, drying pale brown, dehiscent; capsule oval, 8 6 5 mm. Seeds barrel shaped, c.0.3 mm long, collar cells c.2/3 the length of the seed.