Polyosma rampae W.N.Takeuchi

Paul, O. K., Conn, B. J. & Henwood, M. J., 2024, Taxonomic review of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) in Papuasia, Blumea 69, pp. 54-88 : 82

27. Polyosma rampae W.N.Takeuchi

Polyosma rampae W.N. Takeuchi (2007) 159, f. 1. — Type: W.N. Takeuchi 20148, A. Towati & D. Ama (holo LAE [ LAE 288549];iso A, L [L 2070838]), Papua New Guinea, Western Highlands, Kaijende Highlands,Waile Creek, 4 Nov. 2005.

Shrub, c. 2 m tall. Branchlets glabrous, dull black to becoming brown, ± smooth, without pustules. Leaves opposite or subopposite (appearing spiral), glabrous; petiole 0.4–1.2 cm long, black; lamina narrowly obovate, (1.2–)1.5–2.7 by 0.5–1.1 cm, fleshy, thin-textured when dried; base cuneate, margin shortly serrate, with 1 or 2 teeth per side (rarely absent), black, apex acute and mucronate; secondary veins 4–10 on each side and diverging 55–75° from midrib, closing by inframarginal looping veins; tertiary veins glabrous, prominent on abaxial surface. Inflorescence racemose, terminal, erect, rachis 1.5–2 cm long, concealed by bracts except at anthesis, axial surfaces glabrous, black; peduncle 0.4–1.1 cm long. Bracteoles foliaceous, linearelliptic, with central bracteole (10–) 13–18 mm long, and lateral bracteoles 8–12 mm long, glabrous, entire, persistent. Calyx lobes c. 1.2 mm long. Corolla buds tubular, 11–13 mm long, pale purple. Fruits ellipsoid-ovoid, (5–) 6–7 mm long, black, hairy.

Distribution — Papua New Guinea, only known from the type locality, near the Porgera gold mine (Western Highlands).

Habitat & Ecology — Occurring on the margin of mossy montane forest and along subalpine streams, at about 3 000 m elevation.

Conservation status — This species is regarded as not endangered ( Takeuchi 2007).

Note — The leafy bracteoles are morphologically like those of P. occulta , but the bracteoles of P. rampae are much larger, such that the entire raceme is obscured, with the flowers becoming clearly visible only near anthesis. The enlarged bracteoles of P. occulta cover only the calyx.