Spiraeopsis papuana
Description
Tree to 25 m tall, 35 cm diameter.
Leaves 2-5(-7)-jugate.
Stipules reniform to orbicular or broadly ovate, 3-15 by 3-18 mm, rounded at apex, entire, sessile, glabrous above with tomentum beneath similar to that on lower surface of leaflets.
Inflorescence paniculate/thyrsiform, up to c. 50(-76) by 30 cm;
Flowers pedicellate, the pedicels 0.2-0.7 mm long.
Sepals 0.6-0.8 by 0.4-0.5 mm, fairly densely stellate-hirsute outside.
Petals oval to ob-ovate to oblanceolate, 0.6-1.1 by 0.3-0.4 mm.
Stamens with filaments 1.3-1.7 mm long and anthers 0.2-0.3 by 0.2-0.4 by 0.1-0.2 mm.
Ovary 3- (or 4-)carpellate, 0.4-0.7 by 0.4-0.8 mm, ± densely stellate-hirsute, each cell with 8-14 ovules;
Fruit with valves c. 3.5 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, with several seeds.
Seeds including wings to c. 1.8 mm long, glabrous.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, in the central mountain range of New Guinea from Mt Jaya (Carstensz) and Mt Trikora (Wilhelmina) eastwards present
Malesia: in the central mountain range of New Guinea from Mt Jaya (Carstensz) and Mt Trikora (Wilhelmina) eastwards.
Morphology
1 The species varies a great deal in its tomentum, with a particularly hirsute form occurring in the Telefomin area.
2. The flowers are usually reported as pink to red (pale purple-pink, deep pink or maroon) or occasionally green, the perianth reddish with conspicuous cream to white filaments, the anthers cream to yellow, the ovary maroon and the stigmas pink. The fruits are dull red. Young leaves are conspicuously red, and the branchlets dark purple.