About Zieria laevigata Bonpl.
Zieria laevigata Bonpl. is an erect shrub that grows to around 150 cm (60 in) tall, with mostly glabrous branches. Its leaves are made up of three leaflets; the central leaflet is linear or elliptic, measuring 15–40 mm (0.6–2 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide, attached to a petiole 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. Unlike the leaflets of most other Zieria species, those of this species are not warty, but their edges roll under, sometimes all the way to the midrib. The upper leaf surface is dark green, while the lower surface is pale green and velvety. Flowers are usually arranged in groups of three, though groups can have up to 23 flowers, and the groups are roughly the same length as the leaves. The sepals are triangular, around 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long, and covered in warty glands. The four petals are white to pale pink, 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, overlap at their bases, and are covered in tiny soft hairs. Flowering takes place from August to December, and the fruits that develop after flowering are present from November to December; they are glabrous with scattered warts. Smooth zieria is widespread and common on coastal areas and nearby tablelands, ranging from near Stanthorpe in Queensland to Jervis Bay in New South Wales. It grows in poor soil on sandstone and granite outcrops, often growing alongside Eucalyptus prava.
