Hedraianthera porphyropetala

Published: Journal September 2022

Author: Jan Sked

Pronounced: hed-ray-ANTH-er-a por-feer-o-PET-a-la
Family: Celastraceae
Derivation: Hedraianthera is from Greek hedraios, meaning sessile, and refers to the flower anthers without stalks; porphyropetala is also from Greek, it alludes to the attractive deep purple coloured flower petals..

Hedraianthera porphyropetala is the only species in the genus Hedraianthera from the family Celastraceae. It is endemic to Australia and occurs in eastern Australia from Cooktown in tropical north Queensland to Ballina in coastal New South Wales. It grows as an understorey in littoral and subtropical rainforests and sclerophyll forests in gullies or rocky slopes on shallow soils, sometimes enhanced by basalt.

It is a medium to tall shrub, 3-6m tall, often with a crooked stem, and with simple, alternate, entire leaves, 5-17cm long. These are dark green on the upper surface and paler below.

The small, though quite attractive flowers, about 10mm diameter, are dark rich red-purple on long slender stalks arising from the trunk and branches from late summer to autumn.

The fruit that follows is a green to brown ovoid woody capsule up to 25mm long that splits into five segments with numerous seeds inside. Fruit ripens from late winter to spring.

This species is rarely cultivated and is very slow growing, but usually flowers and fruits at a small size. It should be grown in a well-drained site, and prefers semi-shade. Would also make a suitable container plant.

Propagation is from fresh seed, or from cuttings that strike readily.

Hedraianthera porphyropetala flowers. Photo John Elliott