Knema curtisii
Content
Description
Shrub or tree 2-10(-35) m.
Leaves membranous or chartaceous, of variable shapes, elliptic, obovate, or ovate to lanceolate, 3.5-15(-20) by 1.2-4(-6.5) cm., base cuneate to attenuate, rarely ± rounded, apex acute (-acuminate), sometimes blunt or rounded;
Inflorescences:
Fruits 1 or 2 per infructescence, ± ellipsoid, ridged, apex acute, base obtuse, or often up to 5 mm narrowed (beaked) at both ends, 2-5 by 1.5-3 cm, with greyish to rusty hairs 0.1-0.2 mm long, or glabrescent;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Sumatera (Sumatera present)
Malesia: Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo.
Taxonomy
A complex species in which four varieties are recognized. Sinclair accepted five varieties, but his var. linguiformis is now treated as a separate species. The remaining four varieties display a considerable difference in general habit, distribution area and habitat.
Knema curtisii and the related K. linguiformis and K. viridis can easily be distinguished within Knema by the androecium with many tightly appressed anthers. The androecium of K. curtisii has been described by previous authors as having 30-45 anthers; in fact there are only 9-25(-30) anthers of which the thecae are completely sessile and closely set and touching, and thus appearing to have twice as many anthers as there actually are.
Knema curtisii and the related K. linguiformis and K. viridis can easily be distinguished within Knema by the androecium with many tightly appressed anthers. The androecium of K. curtisii has been described by previous authors as having 30-45 anthers; in fact there are only 9-25(-30) anthers of which the thecae are completely sessile and closely set and touching, and thus appearing to have twice as many anthers as there actually are.