Kibara ferox
Content
Description
Shrub or treelet to 3 m, glabrous, the nodes dilated with pores inhabited by ants.
Leaves sessile, broadly cordate to oblong, up to 30 by 23 cm, coriaceous, the base amplexicaul, apex narrowing to a short or long apiculum, margin with small or coarse sharp denta-tions (the upper leaves and those of juvenile plants narrower and more dentate), veins and reticulations very prominent on the underside.
Inflorescence of axillary fascicles (or rarely supra-axillary) borne on a very short bracteate peduncle;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, Central Prov present, Eastern Highlands Prov present, Kai-nantu Distr present, Madang Prov present, Morobe Prov present, Mumeng Distr present, Papua New Guinea present, Port Moresby Distr present, Ramu Distr present, Wau Distr present
Malesia: Papua New Guinea (Madang Prov.; Ramu Distr.; Eastern Highlands Prov.: Kai-nantu Distr.; Morobe Prov.: Mumeng Distr., Wau Distr.; Central Prov.: Port Moresby Distr.).
Notes
The sessile, cordate, coriaceous leaves are unlike those of any other species. The leaves on lower thicker branches are very broad and cordate, while those on the more slender branches are oblong. Ju-venile plants have smaller, narrower and more den-tate leaves. Swollen nodes with pores used by small black ants are also found in K. carrii, K. latifolia and K. archboldiana, and resemble those of some species of Steganthera. The flowers are yellowish green or pinkish. The drupes are black on an orange torus. The outer bark is light grey-green to brown, rough with vertical fissures.