Divided leaves
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111. Mile-a-minute Ipomoea cairica |
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A rampant, slender-stemmed, woody twiner with tuberous roots. Leaves are mid-green above and pale green beneath. They are stalked and deeply divided into 5 to 7 lance-shaped lobes which are up to 5 cm long, 2 cm across and tapered at both ends. Flowers are funnel-shaped and pinkish-lavender in colour; the tube is violet inside and lavender to white outside. The flowers are on short stalks with several together on one stalk arising from the leaf joints. Seed capsules are globular, papery and contain 4 short and hairy brown seeds. The seeds are about 6 mm across with tufts of long, white, silky hairs on the margins. Mile-a-minute, or Coastal Morning Glory, is widespread particularly in southern districts. It is a rapid grower and favours creek and river banks and is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
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112. Merremia vine Merremia quinquefolia |
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A vigorous, slender twiner. Leaves are divided into five leaf-lets. These are lance-shaped, pointed at both ends, shallowly serrated and up to 5 cm long. Flowers are trumpet-shaped, white to cream-coloured, about 2 cm long and 1 cm across. They are carried on short stalks, with several in a group, arising from the leaf joints. Seed capsules are papery, about 1 cm across, with four dark coloured seeds. The seeds have short, pale-coloured crisp hairs. Merremia vine has been recorded only in far north Queens-land. It is occasionally a weed of cane and also called Mile-a-minute. |
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113. Castor oil plant Ricinus communis |
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A robust perennial growing to 3 m with hollow branches which are dull and pale green in colour. Leaves are alternate and widely spaced on the branches with large blades on stout, hollow stalks. Leaf blades are about 30 cm across and divided into 7 to 9 segments each with a central vein radiating from the top of the leaf stalk. Young leaves are glossy, dark reddish-brown and become green as they mature. Flowers are crowded in stout, erect spikes near the top of the plant. The fruits are about 2.5 cm across, covered with green or red, soft spines and consist of three segments each containing one large, mottled smooth seed. When ripe the fruits explode violently. Castor Oil Plant is widespread and generally found along creek banks, neglected areas and roadsides. |
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