Graptophyllum ilicifolium

Graptophyllum ilicifolium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Graptophyllum
Species:
G. ilicifolium
Binomial name
Graptophyllum ilicifolium

Graptophyllum ilicifolium, otherwise known as the Mount Blackwood holly, is a large rainforest shrub which grows in granitic soils. It has shiny, dark green leaves which resemble those of the unrelated holly, and grows best in moist, semi-shaded, well-drained, well-mulched soils. The shrub grows to 5 metres in height and has leaves 7.5 to 10 centimetres long which are shiny, noticeably veined, dark green in colour and have a spinous margin. The flowers are red and in short clusters, each about 2 to 2.5 centimetres in length.