Syzygium kutubuense 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 : 72

22. Syzygium kutubuense Craven & Damas , sp. nov. — Map 7

From Syzygium furfuraceum Merr. & L.M.Perry it differs in having the inflo- rescence branches much more strongly furfuraceous and acute flower buds (buds rounded in S. furfuraceum ). — Type: Schodde 2182 (holo CANB!; iso LAE !, A, BM, BO, BRI, L, PNH, US, all n.v.), Papua New Guinea, Southern Highlands Province, Lake Kutubu, on margin of primary forest, near Tage , alt. c. 825 m, 20 Sept. 1961 .

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the locality,Lake Kutubu.

Tree to 31 m tall, to 50 cm dbh. Vegetative branchlet terete or compressed, rounded, 3‒5 mm diam; bark dull, not glandular-verrucose, persistent. Leaf lamina broadly obovate, broadly elliptic or sometimes broadly elliptic, 14‒22 by 8.5‒11 cm, 1.8‒2 times as long as wide; base cuneate or obtuse; apex rounded or obtuse; acumen flat; margin flat; coriaceous; primary and secondary venation generally similar with all or nearly all secondaries joining the intramarginal vein, primary veins 26‒29 on each side of the midrib, in median part of lamina at a divergence angle of 70‒80° and 5‒10 mm apart; intra- marginal vein present, weakly arched, 4‒5 mm from margin, secondary intramarginal vein present. Petiole 5‒10 mm long. Reproductive seasonal growth unit with a reproductive zone only. Inflorescence leafless, cauline, paniculate, up to 19 by 17 cm, major axis c. 4.5 mm thick at the midpoint, bark very strongly furfuraceous; bracts caducous (apparently sloughing off with patches of epidermis); bracteoles subtending each flower, caducous. Flower buds with the apex acute. Calyx lobes 4. Open flowers and fruit not seen.

Distribution — Papua New Guinea.

Habitat & Ecology — Margin of primary forest.

Altitude c. 820 m.

Notes — 1. The large leaves and stout and strongly furfura- ceous inflorescence, together with the acute young buds, are evidence that this material represents a distinct species. From the similarity in leaf shape and size, it appears to be allied to S. furfuraceum . The acute buds are not matched in those of S. furfuraceum specimens at a comparable stage of development.

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