Polyosma gigantea Baker f.

Paul, O. K., Conn, B. J. & Henwood, M. J., 2024, Taxonomic review of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) in Papuasia, Blumea 69, pp. 54-88 : 71

11. Polyosma gigantea Baker f.

Polyosma gigantea Baker f. (1923) 13. — Lectotype (designated here): H.O. Forbes 716 (lecto BM [ BM611314 ]; isolecto L [ L 0035081 ], MEL [ MEL578184 ]), Papua New Guinea, Central, Sogeri,“Mt.Wori-wori, 5000 ft, 716”, 1885–1886.

Typification. Since E. G. Baker did not assign a holotype, the specimen ( H. O. Forbes 716) held at BM is here designated as the lectotype of the species .

Canopy tree c. 15 m tall. Branchlets glabrous, brown, craterous scars prominent, left behind by petiole of fallen leaves. Leaves glabrous; petiole 1–2 cm long, brown; lamina elliptic, 5.5–11 by 2–3 cm, coriaceous, drying brown on both surfaces; base acute, margin with an occasional small tooth, rarely entire, apex acuminate; secondary veins 13–25 on each side and at an angle greater than 45° from midrib, regularly looping near margin onto the next secondary vein; tertiary veins weakly percurrent, not prominent on abaxial surface. Inflorescence racemose, terminal, <20-flowered; rachis 8.5–10 cm long, sparsely hairy; pedicels 6–7 mm long; bracteoles 1–5 mm long, sparsely hairy. Calyx lobes 2 – 5 mm long. Corolla buds tubular, 3–5 mm long, whitish yellow, often with greenish tinge; corolla moderately hairy, remaining tubular at anthesis, except opening with 4 small lobes distally. Fruits not seen.

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

Habitat & Ecology — Occurring in lowland forest at an elevation of 1 500 m.

Conservation status — Since this species is taxonomically not well known, its conservation status cannot be evaluated.

Additional specimen examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay, Misima,

P. Katik et al. LAE 70862 (L, LAE ).