Kangaroo Apple
Calyx
Pointed Twinleaf
Whole
| Kangaroo Apple Calyx | | Pointed Twinleaf Whole | | ||
 | Class: | Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) | |||
| Order: | Twinleaves (Zygophyllales) | ||||
| Family: | Caltrop (Zygophyllaceae) iNaturalist Observation | ||||
| Species: | Pointed Twinleaf (Roepera apiculata) | ||||
| This Photo: | Whole | ||||
| Synonym: | Zygophyllum apiculatum | ||||
| Other names: | Common Twinleaf or Gallweed | ||||
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us General Species Information: Found on Ellura (in the Murray Mallee, SA), the Riverland and elsewhere Large round green leaves, split in two (hence the "twinleaf"). Flowers are rich yellow, 5 petals, with a green centre (the emerging fruit). The fruit is a stubby 5 finned affair which reminds us of an upside down crown. For us, the common name (Common Twinleaf) is a misnomer as the Shrubby Twinleaf is far more numerous on Ellura than this. And you can't see the points on the fruits until you get up close & personal. We refer to this one as "broad-leaved" to avoid confusion. We also don't use the term "common" to describe any of our native species, it belies the importance of them. We are in information overload, so haven't managed to learn all the scientific names yet (just can't seem to remember apiculatum .... it'll happen There is a very similar species in the region, Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca). Both are Least Concern. It generally has paler leaves, but this is misleading where different specimens are healthier than others (ie R. apiculata can look pale in the hot weather). However, it can be differentiate by 4 petals on the flowers and a very different shaped fruit; an eliptical, 4 finned affair. Generally R. apiculata is more upright & bushy. R. glauca is more prostrate. Similar Species: Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca) | |||||
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