Kangaroo Apple
Calyx
Ellura
Pointed Twinleaf
Whole
 
                      
Pointed Twinleaf (Roepera apiculata)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)

Copyright © 2012-2024 Brett & Marie Smith. All Rights Reserved. Photographed 01-Jul-2012
This species is classed as LC (Least Concern) in the Murray Mallee, SA, by DENR (Regional Species Status Assessments, July 2010)