Myristica umbellata
Content
Description
Tree 10-15 m.
Leaves (membranous or) chartaceous, (elliptic-)oblong.6-19 by 2-6 cm, base ± narrowly rounded or (acute-)attenuate, apex (sub)obtuse or (sub)acute;
Inflorescences between the leaves or below, pedunculate, unbranched or nearly so, early glabrescent, indumentum minute;
Fruits l(-3) per infructescence, nearly sessile, ± ellipsoid, 3.5-4(-5) by 2(-3) cm, minutely pubescent, glabrescent;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present), Mt Pulgar and vicinity endemic, Palawan endemic
Malesia: Philippines (endemic to Palawan: Mt Pulgar and vicinity).
Taxonomy
Myristica umbellata is similar to certain forms of M. iners, a polymorphous species. It differs from M. iners in small umbellate inflorescences (the umbel consists of two opposite closely set clusters of flowers; only occasionally the middle branch is slightly developed, 1-2 mm long), in slender pedicels, subglabrous perianth, early fallen bracteole, and subglabrous androphore, and vegetatively in the slender branches with small leaves papillose below (not papillose in M. iners), with indistinct nerves, and almost invisible venation. The female flowers are much larger than the male, with the bractole scar far below the perianth.