Ficus quercetorum
Content
Description
Tree up to 7(-15) m tall.
Branchlets often drying red-brown.
internal hairs abundant.
Leaves distichous;
stipules semi-amplexicaul, 0.3-0.8 cm long, (appressed-) puberulous, caducous.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: New Guinea present, New Britain present
New Guinea (eastern, incl. New Britain).
Taxonomy
This species is very closely related to F. trachypison and might prove to be only distinct on the subspecific level. The main differentiation in morphological characters appear to be the consistent absence of waxy glands in the axils of lateral veins others the basal ones and the absence of ramiflory. The two taxa can mostly be distinguished by the difference in indumentum, causing a smooth lower surface of the lamina in F. quercetorum and a ± scabrous one in F. trachypison. Moreover, the lamina dries greenish above in F. quercetorum, but brown in F. trachypison. The two taxa are ecologically distinct, as F. trachypison is essentially a lowland species, whereas F. quercetorum is found at high altitudes.