Myristica brevistipes
Content
Description
Treelet c. 5 m.
Leaves membranous, (oblong-)lanceolate, 7-17 by 2-4 (-5) cm, base short-attenuate or narrowly rounded, apex (long-)acute-acuminate;
Fruits 1 or 2 per infructescence, ellipsoid-oblong, ± fusiform, 2.5-3 by 1.5 cm, apex acute, base somewhat tapered, hairs thin, woolly, light brown or rusty, 0.3 mm, towards the base stouter, 0.5 mm;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, Central Prov, Kairuku subprov., about 1 mile NW of Maipa village present, Papua New Guinea present
Malesia: Papua New Guinea (Central Prov, Kairuku subprov., about 1 mile NW of Maipa village); known only from the type.
Taxonomy
The fruits of M. brevistipes are very similar to those of M. pygmaea which differs in vegetative characters and (shortly) pedunculate inflorescences. Myristica brevistipes appears particularly close to certain specimens of M. concinna, a species that differs in smaller fruits and a more or less distinctly papillose lower leaf surface. Finally also some specimens of the New Guinea form of M. insipida are very similar to M. brevistipes and generally have fruits with more conspicuous, woolly, longer hairs, and leaves which are papillose below. In New Guinea, however, specimens linking up with M. insipida often have leaves with a less distinct papulation. This may suggest that the demarcation between M. brevistipes and M. insipida is indistinct, but the type of M. brevistipes is so different in general appearance from the majority of M. insipida specimens that its distinction seems warranted.