Osmoxylon eminens
Content
Description
Small tree, up to 10 m, with few stout branches.
Leaves large, forming terminal crowns, glabrous when mature, young inflorescence densely furfuraceous;
Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel c. 40 cm ø;
Stamens 4-6, filaments 7 mm long, anthers 1.5 mm long.
Ovary 2-3 mm long (at anthesis), 5-6-celled.
Fruits crowded in dense ovoid heads 3-4 by 2½-3 cm, drupes c. 9 by 5 mm, 5-6-angled by mutual pressure, narrowed to the base, crowned by the persistent stigmatic boss;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present), Carolines present, Micronesia present
Micronesia: Carolines; in Malesia: throughout the Philippines.
Notes
This is the most widespread and most frequently collected species in the Philippines. It is also the most striking. Its large, many-lobed, fan- shaped leaves and the strong inflorescences, with globular flower-heads and large clusters of pseudo- fruits are distinctive. Only 16. O. pulcherrimum resembles it somewhat in its leaf characters, but the central branches of the inflorescence rays of that species are much longer and its pseudo-fruits are sessile.
The inflorescence branches are described as dull reddish brown, the flowers as light orange, and the fruits as indigo-black.
The inflorescence branches are described as dull reddish brown, the flowers as light orange, and the fruits as indigo-black.