Polyosma mucronata Reeder

Paul, O. K., Conn, B. J. & Henwood, M. J., 2024, Taxonomic review of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) in Papuasia, Blumea 69, pp. 54-88 : 80

22. Polyosma mucronata Reeder

Polyosma mucronata Reeder (1946) 282; P. Royen (1983) 2516, f. 733. — Type : L. J. Brass 4310 (holo A [ A42995 ] (see Typification below); iso BRI [ BRI-AQ342403 ], NY), Papua New Guinea, Central , Mt Albert Edward, May-July 1933 .

Typification — Reeder (1946: 275) cited the type of P. mucronata as ‘ Brass 4310 ( A, TYPE, NY)’. Therefore, we accept that Reeder designated the holotype as the specimen held at A , with an isotype at NY .

Shrub, c. 1 m tall. Branchlets glabrous, brown, slightly rough and ridged. Leaves glabrous; petiole 1–2 cm long, brown; lamina obovate, 2–5 by 1.2–3 cm, coriaceous, dried materials brown on both surfaces; base acute, margin serrate, apex mucronate; secondary veins 7–13 on each side and an angle greater than 45° from midrib, regularly looping near margin onto the next secondary vein; tertiary vein weakly percurrent, glabrous, not prominent on abaxial surface. Inflorescence racemose, terminal, <20-flowered; rachis 5.5–6 cm long, densely pubescent, pilose; flowers loosely arranged along rachis; pedicels 1.5–5 mm long, narrow; bracteoles 1–5 mm long, densely hairy. Calyx lobes 2 – 4 mm long. Corolla buds tubular, 10–15 mm long, green, often with purple tinge; corolla moderately hairy, remaining tubular at anthesis, except opening with 4 small lobes distally. Fruits ovoid, c. 10 by 5 mm, glabrous, green.

Distribution — Papua New Guinea (Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Central, Milne Bay).

Habitat & Ecology — Occurring in montane forest from elevations of 3 300–3 450 m.

Conservation status — Although there are no recent collections of this species, it is regarded as probably not endangered.

Additional specimens examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Western Highlands, Minj-Nona Divide, Kubor Range, R. Pullen 5060 (BRI, L, LAE );Mt As, Kubor Range, R. Pullen 5103 (BRI, L, LAE ); Eastern Highlands, Mt Kerigomna, R.D. Hoogland 5627 & R. Pullen (L, LAE ); Mt Wilhelm, R.D. Hoogland 6575 ( LAE ); Central,Mt Dickson,Goilala, T.G. Hartley 12912 (K, L, LAE );Mt Albert Edward, H. Kanai 75318 ( LAE ); L.A. Craven 2788 (L, LAE ); Milne Bay, Mt Suckling, J.­F. Veldkamp 5893 & P.F. Stevens ( LAE ); Mt Suckling, Tantam Plateau Scarp above Mayu River, P.F. Stevens LAE 55638 (BRI, L, LAE ).

Note — This species is readily distinguished from other Papuasian species because of the obovate lamina with a mucronate apex.