''Astrotricha latifolia'', known as the broad-leaf star hair, is a plant found in eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. A shrub usually seen around 3 metres tall. Though it can grow to 9 metres tall and be an imposing small tree in the

eucalyptus ''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, including '' Corymbia'', they are commonly known as euca ...

understorey. The generic name comes from the Greek, meaning "star hairs", referring to the covering of star like hairs. Latifolia means broad leaved, as these leaves are 2 to 8 cm wide and 8 to 22 cm long. The leaf stem is also long, being 2.5 to 8 cm in length. It grows from sea level to altitudes of 1500 metres. The habitat is a variety of soil types; found in moist gullies and on the edges of

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

. The southernmost limit of natural distribution is the forest areas near

Narooma Narooma is a town in the Australian state of New South Wales on the far south coast. The town is on the Princes Highway, which crosses the Wagonga Inlet to North Narooma. The heritage town of Central Tilba is nearby to the south. The name Naro ...

in southern coastal

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

. The top surface of the leaf is a glossy green. The underside of the leaves is woolly and pale, as are the stems. Leaves are relatively thin. Flowering occurs in October and November. Petals are bent sharply backwards and a yellow-green colour.

References

Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Araliaceae {{Araliaceae-stub