Polyosma stenosiphon Schltr.

Paul, O. K., Conn, B. J. & Henwood, M. J., 2024, Taxonomic review of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) in Papuasia, Blumea 69, pp. 54-88 : 85

30. Polyosma stenosiphon Schltr.

Polyosma stenosiphon Schltr. (1915) 128. — Type: C.L. Ledermann 12085 (holo B [ B10 _0278226]), Papua New Guinea, West Sepik, ‘Kaiserin- Augusta-Fluss (= August River )- Expedition’ , 1 Aug. 1913.

Polyosma crassifolia Kaneh. & Hatus. (1942: 304) . — Type: R. Kanehira & S. Hatusima 13662 ( FU, n.v.), Indonesia, Papua Barat, Vogelkop, Angi , near Lake Giji , Arfak Mountains , 6 Apr. 1940 .

Subcanopy to canopy tree, (5–) 15–20 m tall. Branchlets glabrous, pustulate. Leaves glabrous; petiole 0.7–1(–1.5) cm long; lamina slightly obovate, 4–6(–10) by 1.3–2.5(–4.5) cm, drying both surfaces light brown; base cuneate, margin entire, apex obtuse to rounded to shortly acuminate; secondary veins 9–10 on each side of midrib and at an angle greater than 45° from midrib, indistinctly looping near margin onto the next secondary vein; tertiary veins weakly percurrent, glabrous, indistinct to slightly prominent on abaxial surface. Inflorescence racemose, axillary, erect; rachis 10–18-flowered, (2–) 4–6 cm long, hairy; bracteoles 2–3 mm long, hairy. Calyx lobes 1–2 mm long, hairy. Corolla buds tubular, 10–14 mm long, white. Fruits recorded as ellipsoid, c. 10 by 7 mm ( Kanehira & Hatusima 1942).

Distribution — This species is only known from Indonesia Papua Barat of Indonesia (type collection of P. crassifolia ) and from the type collection of P. stenosiphon , from the West Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.

Conservation status — The conservation status of this species is unknown.

Notes — Although the taxonomic status of this species is inadequately known, it is here recognized as a distinct species. Clearly, further research into this species is required. Most importantly, additional collections, population studies and DNA analysis are needed to evaluate the morphological variation within this species and its relationship with other species of Polyosma .

Although taxonomically also inadequately known, P. crassifolia is here regarded as a synonym of P. stenosiphon , being a slightly larger leafed variant (as suggested by Kanehira & Hatusima 1942).

Attempts to contact FU to examine the type material of P. crassifolia were unsuccessful.