Osmoxylon pulcherrimum

Primary tabs

Osmoxylon pulcherrimum

Description

Erect, sparsely branched tree, up to 10 m, glabrous when mature, except for the inflorescence. Leaves crowded at the ends of the branches; Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel, c. 18 cm ø; Stamens 4. Ovary 4-celled. Fruit globose c. 6-8 mm long, 4-ribbed (dry).

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present), Luzon present, Micronesia present, Mindoro present, Palau present, Sibuyan present, Southern America: Argentina Northeast (Formosa present)
Malesia: Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro and Sibuyan), recorded also from Formosa and Micronesia (Palau), cf. .

Notes

The fan-shaped leaves with several narrow lobes and prominent main veins resemble those of 34. O. eminens but are less strikingly developed. The inflorescence is considerably smaller with the pseudo-fruits forming a compact head borne on a comparatively long peduncle. The heads of true flowers, and of the fruits, are considerably smaller than those of O. eminens.
Although Vidal's material is no longer available, the figure and description relate well to later collections.
The specimens on which Elmer based his Boerlagiodendron sibuyanense have the lobes of the leaf rather simpler in outline than is usual, but the fragments of young inflorescence are quite typical of the taxon and the name is reduced to synonymy.

Citation

Merr. 1908 – In: Philip. J. Sc.: Bot. 254
F.-Vill. 1883: Sinopsis Atlas: 28: t. 55, f. B
Philipson 1976 – In: Blumea: 107
Merr. 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 224
Harms 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 224