Jam Tarts

Melichrus procumbens is a low-lying shrub that sometimes forms mats or grows to a height of 20 cm (8 in). Its leaves are erect or pressed against the stem near the ends of branches or spreading lower down, 11–28 mm (0.43–1.10 in) long and 1.2–4.0 mm (0.05–0.16 in) wide on a petiole 0.5 mm (0.02 in) wide, with 10 to 14 ribs on the lower surface. The flowers are borne on the underside of branches, cream-coloured to pale green with a pink tinge. The bracteoles are 3.0–5.5 mm (0.12–0.22 in) long and the sepals are 5.0–7.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and greenish with silky hairs. The petals form a saucer-shaped tube 2.0–2.5 mm (0.08–0.10 in) long with spreading lobes 3.0–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long. Flowering occurs from February to July to September, and the fruit is a green to red, smooth, flattened spherical drupe 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 in) long .

Jam tarts grows in heath and forest on sandstone or granite from south-eastern Queensland to the coast and Hornsby Plateau near Sydney.

The flowers of Melichrus procumbens face downwards, close to the ground, suggesting pollination by ground-crawling insects such as ants. The common name (jam tarts) comes from the peculiar shape of the open flower and the large amount of nectar present.