Alectryon diversifolius


Alectryon diversifolius, commonly named scrub boonaree or holly bush, is a species of Australian small trees of the plant family Sapindaceae.
[Image:Alectryon diversifolius foliage.jpg|thumb|left|Alectryon diversifolius foliage showing the diversity of leaf forms.]

Description

Alectryon diversifolius grows as a shrub up to 4 m high, with simple leaves often clustered on short branchlets. Leaf shape is highly variable even on individual plants, ranging from oval to lanceolate to strongly serrated and holly-like.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in central and south-eastern Qld and north-eastern N.S.W. Usually growing in Brigalow scrub in dark clay.

Taxonomy

It was first described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1858 as Heterodendrum diversifolius, but was moved to the genus, Alectryon by Sally T. Reynolds in 1987.