Polyscias royenii

Primary tabs

Polyscias royenii

Description

Small tree up to 5(-15) m, monocaulous sym- podial, persistently rufous-furfuraceous, with leaves spaced along the upper part of the stem. Leaves imparipinnate, with c. 9 pairs of leaflets, up to 100 cm long or more; Inflorescence a panicle, flowering branches also often present in the axils of the uppermost leaves; Petals 5, strap-shaped, c. 3 mm long, soon falling. Stamens 5. Ovary subcylindric, furfuraceous, c. 3 mm long, 2(-3)-celled, the fleshy disk forming a projecting conical stylopodium 2 mm long; Fruit rotund, compressed, with prominent ribs when dry 7-9 by 8-10 mm, crowned by the prominent persistent calyx and a short stout beak-like stylopodium;

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: New Guinea present, Cyclops Mts to the E. Highlands Distr present
Malesia: New Guinea (Cyclops Mts to the E. Highlands Distr.).

Notes

A species readily characterized by the sympodial monocaul habit with thick leathery leaflets, a large rigid furfuraceous inflorescence, and large, compressed, black fruits with a glaucous bloom.