Australina pusilla

Common Name:

Shade Nettle

Family:

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Midlands, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Gippsland Highlands, Wilsons Promontory, Snowfields, East Gippsland (KNPRSTVWZ) also NSW, ACT, Tas
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Dark or damp places in the moist undergrowth of forests south of Darby River and along Sealers Cove track ^1,2

Flower Description:

Insignificant ¹

Habit:

Perennial herb with stems to 20 cm high ²

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

Two subspecies are present at the Prom Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla has leaves that are shorter than 1.5 cm long with 2-3 teeth on each side of the lamina. Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri has leaves that are 1.5-6 cm long and 4-6 teeth on each side of the lamina ²

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

VicFlora

Conservation status:

Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla is rare in Victoria

References:

¹ Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
² Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria