Broad-leaved Geebung

Appearance

"Persoonia levis" grows as a tall shrub to small tree, and can reach 5 m in height. The flaky soft bark is dark grey on the surface, while deeper layers are reddish in colour. Within the bark are epicormic buds, which sprout new growth after bushfire. The new growth is smooth to slightly hairy.

The large green leaves measure 6 to 14 cm in length, and 1.3 to 8 cm in width, and are oblong or sickle-shaped. The asymmetrical shape helps distinguish the species from "P. lanceolata". The bright green foliage, particularly of new growth, stands out against the more subdued tones of the surrounding vegetation and the stems, which are reddish in colour.

The yellow flowers appear in summer and autumn, and peak over December to February. They are arranged on short axillary racemes along the branchlets. Each individual flower consists of a cylindrical perianth, consisting of tepals fused for most of their length, within which are both male and female parts.

The central style is surrounded by the anther, which splits into four segments; these curl back and resemble a cross when viewed from above. They provide a landing area for insects attending to the stigma, which is located at the tip of the style. The smooth fleshy fruit, known as a drupe, is green and more or less round, measuring 1 cm by 0.8 cm in diameter. It contains two seeds, and has a spike at the end. The drupe is juicy but stringy when unripe, and the seeds and skin are inedible.

Distribution

"Persoonia levis" is found from the Macleay River catchment on the New South Wales mid north coast to the Cann River in far eastern Victoria. It is found in dry sclerophyll forest on sandstone-based nutrient-deficient soils, from sea level to an altitude of 1000 m.

Habitat

Coastal forms are smaller with broader leaves than inland forms. The annual rainfall of the area it occurs in the Sydney Basin is 900–1,400 mm. It is considered adequately protected in the Sydney region, and is found in Georges River, Cattai, Wollemi, Bouddi, Brisbane Water, Marramarra, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Garigal, Lane Cove, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay and Budderoo National Parks."Persoonia levis" is one of several species of "Persoonia" that regenerate by resprouting from the trunk after bushfire, an adaptation to the fire-prone habitat in which it grows. Its thick papery bark shields the underlying epicormic buds from the flames. Plants also regenerate by seedlings that arise from a seedbank in the soil after fire, although they may take up to 12 months to germinate. One study of sclerophyll forest unburnt for thirty years showed "P. levis" had declined over time. "P. levis" plants can live for over 60 years, and their leaves have a lifespan of up to 6 years.

Vesicles indicating a mycorrhizal association have been found on the roots of "Persoonia levis", the Proteaceae not previously noted for forming mycorrhizal associations. Infection by the fungal species "Anthracostroma persooniae" results in leaf spot disease. "P. levis" is the food plant of the larvae of the weevil species "Eurhynchus laevior".

Colletid bees of the genus "Leioproctus" subgenus "Cladocerapis" exclusively forage on and pollinate flowers of many species of "Persoonia". Bees of subgenus "Filiglossa" in the same genus that also specialise in feeding on "Persoonia" flowers do not appear to be effective pollinators. Particular species recorded on "P. levis" include the longtongue bee "Leioproctus carinatifrons". Weighing 1700 mg, the fruit are adapted to be eaten by vertebrates, such as kangaroos and possums, as well as currawongs and other large birds. The flowers of "P. levis" are self-incompatible—that is, they are unable to fertilise themselves and require outcrossing to another plant.