Macrosolen geminatus
Content
Description
Glabrous, rarely somewhat glaucous.
Leaves opposite; lamina usually elliptic or ovate, sometimes lanceolate, (4—)6—12(—16) by (1—)3—8 cm, cuneate to truncate at the base to a petiole 0-10(-15) mm long ( I.c., rarely sessile), variable at the apex from acuminate and acute to bluntly obtuse or rounded, dull or glossy above, usually dull below; venation pinnate with the midrib prominent below and the larger veins distinct above.
Inflorescencess at the nodes, normally a spike of 1 or 2 or rarely 3 opposite subcapitate pairs of flowers; axis 3-8(-12) mm long, sometimes with an involucre of 1-3 pairs of small bracts at or near the base; pedicels vestigial or very rarely up to 2 mm long; central bract usually acute, 1.5-2 mm long; lateral bracts slightly shorter, usually connate to near the apex and enclosing the ovary.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: New Guinea present; Sulawesi (Sulawesi present), southern part present
Malesia: Philippines (southern part), Celebes, New Guinea.
Notes
Barlow treated the New Guinean specimens of M. suberosus (= M. geminatus) as conspecific with M. cochinchinensis. True M. cochinchinensis occurs in New Guinea only in the Bird's Head Peninsula.
The holotype of L. geminatus (PNH) is no longer extant. Isotypes have been seen (US 710732, NY); the former is more substantial and is designated lectotype of the species name. The holotype of L. mcgregorii (PNH) is no longer extant. Isotypes have been seen (NY, US 439241); the former is more substantial and is designated lectotype of the species name. The holotype of L. angulatus (PNH) is no longer extant. Isotypes have been seen (NY, US 779402); the former is more substantial and is designated lectotype of the species name. The holotype of L. worcesteri (PNH) is no longer extant. A fragmentary isotype has been seen (US) but has not been designated lectotype of the species name, pending a search for a better specimen.
There is no consistent basis on which Macrosolen geminatus, Af. angw- /ato, M. mcgregorii, M. worcesteri, M. suberosus, M. coriaceus and M. cochinchinensis var. lanceolatus can be distinguished, and they are accordingly treated together as a single relatively polymorphic species. There is evidence of local race differentiation, especially in New Guinea and Celebes, mainly involving leaf shape and texture.