Schuurmansia henningsii
Content
Description
Treelet or tree, up to 15(-20?) m, sometimes with stiltroots up to 1 m high.
Leaves obovate-lanceolate, 6-85 by 1½-15 cm, obtuse to acuminate at apex, tapering at base, margins somewhat involute, nerves 2-7 mm apart, chartaceous or subcoriaceous;
Stipules ½-5 by ½-3 mm, often up to 3 mm long, ciliate.
Inflorescences 7-65cm;
Flowers ☿ or functionally unisexual, erect.
Sepals obovate to elliptic, 3-5 by 1½-3 mm, greenish, sometimes purplish.
Petals obovate-oblong, 4-7½ by 1½-4 mm, white, creamy, pink or purplish red.
Ovary subglobular to ovoid, ± 3-lobed, glabrous, in ♂ flowers ½-1 by ⅓-¾ mm, in ♀ flowers c. 3 by 2 mm;
Fruit fusiform, up to 1½ by ¾ cm, acuminate.
Seeds c. 1 by ⅓ mm with c. 2½ mm long, slender wings.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Maluku (Maluku present); New Guinea present, Bismarcks present, Ceram present, Halmahera present, Solomons present, Talaud Is present
Solomons and Bismarcks; in Malesia: Moluccas (Talaud Is., Halmahera, Ceram), New Guinea.
Notes
The striking variation in vegetative characters is for the greater part due to differences in ecological conditions. The greatest influence is exercised by the altitude. Papuan material, arranged according to increasing altitude, shows a very regular decrease in leaf size, especially between 1000 and 3000 m. At the same time the leaves become more coriaceous and more distinctly petioled. Exposition and age of the plants play a less important role in the determination of the leaf size.
The dimensions and colours of flower parts are also rather variable, but less easy to correlate with other data. These variations probably indicate genetical differences between local populations. More detailed local studies will be necessary to decide whether any infraspecific taxa can be distinguished.
A majority of the specimens has relatively large anthers and small pistils, whereas a minority has relatively small anthers and large pistils. It was observed once, that most specimens in a profusely flowering stand had proportionally large anthers and did not set fruit. It is not certain, however, that the flowers are always functionally unisexual. Polygamy is likely to occur, as the reduction of either stamens or ovary is never complete.
The dimensions and colours of flower parts are also rather variable, but less easy to correlate with other data. These variations probably indicate genetical differences between local populations. More detailed local studies will be necessary to decide whether any infraspecific taxa can be distinguished.
A majority of the specimens has relatively large anthers and small pistils, whereas a minority has relatively small anthers and large pistils. It was observed once, that most specimens in a profusely flowering stand had proportionally large anthers and did not set fruit. It is not certain, however, that the flowers are always functionally unisexual. Polygamy is likely to occur, as the reduction of either stamens or ovary is never complete.
Citation
KANIS 1961: p. 65. – In: Nova Guinea, Bot.: f. 1b
HALL.f. 1913 – In: Rec. Trav. Bot. Néerl.: 348
K. SCH. 1968 – In: Blumea: 76
WHITE & FRANCIS 1927 – In: Proc. R. Soc. Queensl.: 247
WHITE 1929 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 241
K. SCH. & HOLLR. 1889: Fl. Kais Wilh Land: 50
E. & P. 1925 – In: Nat. Pfl. Fam., ed. 2: f. 41
HOLTH. & LAM 1942 – In: Blumea: 213
WARS. 1891 – In: Bot. Jahrb.: 283
PULLE 1912 – In: Nova Guinea: 667
K. SCH. & LAUT. 1905: Nachtr.: 318
E. & P. 1895 – In: Nat. Pfl. Fam.: f. 75
BAKER 1923 – In: J. Bot.: Suppl. 4
HALL.f. 1913 – In: Rec. Trav Bot Néerl.: 346
HALL.f. 1913 – In: Rec. Trav. Bot. Néerl.: 350
A. C. SMITH 1941 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 524
LANE POOLE 1925: For. Res.: 116
K. SCH. 1888: p. 211. – In: Bot. Jahrb.: sine nomen.
K. SCH & LAUT. 1901: Fl. Schutzgeb.: 448