Polyosma infernaralis B.J.Conn & O.K.Paul, 2024

Paul, O. K., Conn, B. J. & Henwood, M. J., 2024, Taxonomic review of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) in Papuasia, Blumea 69, pp. 54-88 : 74

16. Polyosma infernaralis B.J.Conn & O.K.Paul , sp. nov. — Fig. 9

Etymology. The specific epithet ( infernaralis ) of this new species refers to position of the inflorescences on the lower (infernus) leaf axils (- aralis).

Polyosma infernaralis is morphologically most like P. finisterrae , with both species having serrate leaves,but it differs by tending to have longer petioles (0.5–3 cm long; 0.5–1.5 cm long in P.finisterrae ); leaf lamina narrowly ovate (vs elliptic in P. finisterrae ), with apex attenuate (vs acuminate); brown or yellowish green corolla (vs white in P. finisterrae ); and although both species have axillary inflorescences,those of P.infernaralis tend to occur in the lower axils of the leaves. — Type: L.J. Brass 30567 (holo LAE [ LAE 36134];iso L [L 0035098]), Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands,Mt Wilhelm, 17 July 1959.

Tree, 2–12 m tall. Branchlets glabrous, brown, smooth. Leaves glabrous; petiole 0.5–3 cm long, brown; lamina narrowly ovate, 3.5–8 by 1–3 cm, thinly coriaceous, drying brown on both surfaces; base acute, margin serrate, apex attenuate; secondary veins 10–23, 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, glabrous, not prominent on abaxial surface. Inflorescence racemose, in axils of lower leaves, <20-flowered, rachis 2–4 cm long, sparsely hairy, light brown; flowers loosely and evenly arranged (not crowded together) near distal end of rachis; pedicels 3–4 mm long; bracteoles 0.5–1 mm long, sparsely hairy. Calyx lobes 0.5–3 mm long. Corolla buds tubular, 10–20 mm long, yellowish green, turning brownish. Fruits ovoid, 7–15 by 5–8 mm, glabrous, green to bluish black, drying brownish black.

Distribution — Papua New Guinea (West Sepik, Morobe, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Milne Bay).

Habitat & Ecology — Occurring in montane forest from elevations of 2 610–2 790 m.

Conservation status — Although this species appears to be widespread, its conservation status is unknown.

Additional specimens examined (Paratypes). PAPUA NEW GUINEA, West Sepik,Busilmin, A. Vinas LAE 59438 ( LAE ); Telefomin, J.R. Croft & Y.Lelean LAE 65759 (L, LAE ); Morobe, Mt Wasaunon, K. Fazang LAE 78745 ( LAE ); K. Fazang LAE 78853 ( LAE, NSW ); Western Highlands,Jimi, J. Waikabu et al. LAE 73440 (L, LAE ); Wabag, J.R. Flenley ANU 2847 (K, L, LAE ); Eastern Highlands, Marafuga, P.J. Grubb 256 & P.J. Edwards (L, LAE ); track to Mt Michael, A. Kairo 448 (L, LAE ); S. Sohmer LAE 75423 (L, LAE ); Goroka, K. Kerenga & C. Baker LAE 56926 (L, LAE ); Mt Wilhelm, G. Robins 674 (L, LAE ); A.I. Gentry 67527 ( LAE ); Southern Highlands, Mt Giluwe, J.R. Croft LAE 65319 ( LAE, NSW ); Onim, K. Rau 131 ( LAE ); Ialibu, N.M.U. Clunie & G. Larivita LAE 63225 (L, LAE ); Anga Valley, R. Schodde 1548 (L, LAE ); Milne Bay, Mt Dayman, L.J. Brass 22714 (L, LAE ).

Figures

Fig. 9 Image of isotype specimen of Polyosma infernaralis B.J.Conn & O.K.Paul (L.J. Brass 30567 [L 0035098]).