Myristica nivea
Content
Description
Tree 10-15 m.
Leaves chartaceous, elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 15-43 by 4.5-13 cm, base narrowly to broadly rounded, apex acute or acuminate;
Inflorescences ± below the leaves, of the Knema-type:
Fruits solitary, subsessile, ellipsoid, 3.5-4 by 2.5-3 cm, hairs dense, dark rust-coloured, scurfy, 0.1 mm or less;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Maluku (Maluku present); Philippines (Philippines present), Basilan I present, Mindanao present, Talaud Is present, Zamboanga Prov present
Malesia: Philippines (Mindanao: Zamboanga Prov.; Basilan I.); Moluccas (Talaud Is.).
Taxonomy
Sinclair included M. nivea in M.fatua, the latter from the same area in the Philippines. However, M. nivea differs in the structure of the lower leaf surface (in M. fatua with dense and more woolly persistent indumentum, not leaving scattered dark point-like hair scars), and the indumentum of the fruits (in M.fatua dense, velvety, hairs 0.5-1 mm). Myristica nivea seems also close to M. impressa and M. koordersii, two species with the leaves below whitish as well.