Dryadodaphne crassa
Content
Description
Tree to 20-30 m;
Leaves narrowly to broadly ovate;
Inflorescences axillary, up to 3 cm long, or rarely longer, glabrous or tomen-tose distally, bearing few (rarely more than 5 but up to 11) flowers in a dichasium or a pleiochasium;
Flowers with perianth pale cream or yellow-green, rarely whitish or reddish;
Fruiting hypanthium thickly lignified, de-hiscing into 4 (rarely 2) equal valves, sparsely hairy within.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: New Guinea present, Huon Peninsula present, Saruwaged Range present, Through the central mountains from Oranje Range to the Owen Stanley Range present
Malesia: New Guinea. Through the central mountains from Oranje Range to the Owen Stanley Range, and also in the Saruwaged Range, Huon Peninsula.
Notes
Though the distinctness of the two New Guinea species has been recognized only compara-tively recently, most individuals can be distinguished readily on leaf characters such as size, texture and shape. Leaves of saplings and those in deep shade tend to be larger and less coriaceous with narrower apices and planate margins. Trees from lower alti-tudes may show some features of D. novoguineensis suggesting the possibility of introgression. The most westerly collection (BRASS & VERSTEEGH 11194) is somewhat distinct, and further collections from this region are needed. Flowering and fruiting occur throughout the year, though an individual tree usual-ly does not bear flowers and fruits together.