Tetracera nordtiana, commonly known as small-leaved fire vine, is a climbing plant in the family Dilleniaceae which occurs from eastern Indonesia to the Australian state of Queensland. It was first described in 1865 and has a conservation status of least concern.
Description.
"Tetracera nordtiana" is a twining vine, or (rarely) a scandent shrub, with stem diameters up to and branches to long. Most parts of the plant, and young growth in particular, may have varying degrees of indumentum, from lightly to densely hairy, or even (sandpapery). The leaves measure up to long by wide but are more commonly about by . They are generally elliptic to ovate in shape, the edges may be either toothed or entire, and the lateral veins are very distinct.
The inflorescences are about long and carry on average about 60 fragrant flowers, each about diameter. There are 4 or 5 pale green sepals and 3 white petals. Stamens number about 120–150 and are about long. There are usually 3 carpels with 10 ovules each. The fruiting carpels are about long with a pointed apex. Each contains a single black seed surrounded by a red frilled aril.
Taxonomy.
This species was first described in 1865 by German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, who published the name in volume 5 his book "Fragmenta phytographiæ Australiæ".
Infraspecies.
There are six varieties accepted, including the autonym, as follows:
Etymology.
The genus name "Tetracera" is compounded from the Ancient Greek words "τετρα" ("tetra"), four, and "κέρας" ("kéras"), horn, in reference to the fruit that have four 'horns' or 'beaks'. The species epithet "nordtiana" was chosen by Mueller in honour of his then-fiancée Rebecca Nordt.
Distribution and habitat.
"Tetracera nordtiana" is native to Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, the island of New Guinea and the Australian state of Queensland. In Australia it occurs on some islands of the Torres Strait, some isolated pockets on Cape York Peninsula, and a large population in the coastal areas between about Rossville and Ingham. It grows in various forest types including rainforest and swamp forest, at altitudes from sea level to about .
Conservation.
This species is listed as least concern under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act. , it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).