Myristica lowiana
Content
Description
Tree 7-25 m.
Leaves coriaceous, oblong (-lanceolate), 14-35 by (3.5—)9—11.5 cm, base rounded or short-cuneate, apex acute-acuminate;
Inflorescences between the lower leaves or below, pedunculate, branched, with rough-woolly hairs 1-1.5 mm;
Fruits generally solitary, ellipsoid, (5-)6-7 by 3.5-4 cm, hairs velvety, 1-2.5 mm;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present, Singapore present); Sumatera (Sumatera present), Bangka present
Malesia: Sumatra (incl. Bangka), Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo.
Taxonomy
2 Myristica lowiana is related to M. maingayi which differs in less stout twigs, less coriaceous leaves, slightly larger flowers with less thickly pubescent androphore, and less thickly tomentose fruits; apparently M. lowiana is largely confined to forest on poorer soils, like swamp forest, kerangas, and ridge forest.
1 Usually the nerves are clearly sunken above, but in some specimens from the East Coast of Sumatra, Bangka, and many from Borneo, (in older leaves) they may be raised above.
3 Variation mainly concerns the thickness of the indumentum of the fruits, especially in Borneo, where it may vary between 1 and 3 mm; in S 16509 the hairs are dense and shaggy, 2-3 mm long. In Sumatran and Malayan specimens the hairs are shorter, 1-2 mm. FRI 7734 (Cockburn) from Peninsular Malaysia (G. Panti) deviates from other Malayan material by its stout habit, rather small fruits (6 cm) with very thick fur-like indumentum, hairs 3-4 mm long; possibly this specimen represents a separate variety.