Syzygium debruijnii Craven & Damas, 2021

Craven, L. A., Damas, K. Q. & Cowley, K. J., 2021, Studies in Papuasian Syzygium (Myrtaceae): 2. The furfuraceous species of subg. Syzygium, Blumea 66 (1), pp. 57-81 : 66

9. Syzygium debruijnii Craven & Damas , sp. nov. — Fig. 2 : 1.7; Map 3

From Syzygium furfuraceum Merr. & L.M.Perry it differs in having c. 45 sta- mens (115‒120(‒150) in S.furfuraceum ); the style 6.5‒8 mm long (4‒5.5 mm long (but seen up to 7.5 mm long on developing fruit) in S. furfuraceum ); ovules 4‒7 per locule (15‒26 in S. furfuraceum ). — Type: Eyma 5395 (holo L!; iso A!), Indonesia, Papua Barat Province, Wissel Lake region, Bogesiga bivouac. Araboe, 2‒3 Nov. 1939.

Etymology. The specific epithet honours Jean Victor de Bruijn (1913‒ 1979), one of the early Dutch administration officials in the Wissel lakes region.

Tree? Reproductive seasonal growth unit with a reproductive zone only. Inflorescence leafless, probably cauline, many-flowered, paniculate, up to 14 by 12 cm, major axis c. 3 mm thick at the midpoint, bark furfuraceous; bracts caducous; bracteoles subtending each flower, mostly caducous with a few persistent. Flower buds with the apex rounded to obtuse. Hypanthium dull, strongly furfuraceous, not visibly gland-dotted; not ribbed, usually very slightly stipitate; stipitate-olliform or goblet-shaped but then often only very slightly stipitate, 5.5‒6 by 4.5‒5 mm; stipe 0.25‒1.5 mm long. Calyx lobes 4, transversely semi-elliptic, 0.5‒0.75 mm long. Petals 4, calyptrate (coherent and falling as a cap). Staminal disc flat ( Fig. 2 : 1.5). Stamens c. 45, c. 7 mm long. Style 6.5‒8 mm long. Placentation axile-basal; placenta a very small cushion. Ovules 4‒7 per locule, ascending, arranged irregularly. Branchlets, leaves and fruit not seen.

Distribution — Indonesia (Papua Province).

Habitat & Ecology — No information available.

Notes — 1. The examined material consists of inflorescences in late bud and/or late flower. No foliage has been seen. Despite this, the species is considered by us to be well distinct from those other Papuasian species in which the hypanthium is furfuraceous.

2. The species is known from the type collection only.

Figures

Fig. 2 Staminal disc types in Syzygium species. Series 1: Flat; series 2: descending; series 3: ascending; series 4: raised.