Ochna

Ochna serrulata

Mickey Mouse Plant

DESCRIPTION

Open shrub 2–3m tall, branches with numerous lenticels. Oblong to narrow- elliptic leaves 2–6cm long by 7–15mm wide, margins toothed and often undulating; short petioles.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

Yellow flowers on short axillary spurs during spring months; green persistent sepals 8mm long, reflexed, becoming red in fruit; petals 10mm long; 3-15 free carpels, except for gynobasic style. Ovoid drupe black fruit 5–8mm long during summer. These are embedded on the swollen red receptacle.

HABITAT AND RANGE

Coast and ranges in sclerophyll forests and rainforest margins from Sydney region north to McIvor River near Cooktown in Queensland. Native of South Africa.