Polymeria pusilla R.Br.

Simões, A. R., Silva, H. & Silveira, P., 2011, The Convolvulaceae of Timor with special reference to East Timor, Blumea 56 (1), pp. 49-72 : 67

1. Polymeria pusilla R.Br. — Map 17

Polymeria pusilla R.Br. (1810) 488; Ooststr. (1958) 559.

Distribution — Australia (Queensland) , New Caledonia;Timor (Van Ooststroom 1958).

Habitat & Ecology — In pyrogenous grassland on the Fuiloro plateau, at 400 m (Van Ooststroom 1958).

Note — This small prostrate plant shows an interesting pattern of distribution.Although sometimes taken for an Australian endemic (Stefanovic et al. 2003), it was actually collected in Timor as well, and in a rather remote location. It might be that the species occurs in Timor due to the proximity with the Australian coast, and is yet restricted to this rather small distribution range. However, the species may be more widespread: as Heine (1984) suggested, its small habit means that it is not easily recognized in the field.