Distribution Map
Description (Barlow 1992)
Amyema corniculata Danser, Brittonia 2 (1936) 133. - Type: Brass 4564 (holo NY; iso L), New Guinea, Wharton Range, Murray Pass, 2840 m, vi-ix.1933.
For descriptions see Danser, Brittonia 2 (1936)
133; Barlow, Austral. J. Bot. 22 (1974) 573. Amyema corniculata
can be distinguished from its subalpine congeners in New Guinea
by its inflorescence with very slender parts, regular spreading
4-rayed umbel of triads, and bracts with complex dorsal protuberances.
The flower colour is described as red.
Amyema corniculata is known only from subalpine forests
on the slopes of Mt Alben Edward, Papua New Guinea (fig. 5; 3
collections seen), at an elevation of 2840 m. Hosts are unknown.
The. species is a local endemic related to other species of high
elevations in New Guinea, especially A. pachypus and A.
artensis. See note under A. pachypus.
Description (Barlow 1974)
Amyema corniculatum Dans. Brittonia 2:133, illus. t. 1, e-g (1936); Blumea 3: 395 (1940). Type.-Papua, Wharton Ra., Murray Pass, 2840 m alt., Brass 4564, June-Sept. 1933 (NY, holotype; L).
Glabrous. Stems slender. Leaves opposite; petiole 2-4 mm long; lamina ovate to nearly orbicular, 2-4 by 1.8-2 5 cm, shining or lustrous above, dull below, attenuate or contracted at the base, rounded at the apex; venation pennate, indistinct except for the midrib faintly visible. Inflorescences solitary or paired in the axils; peduncle very slender (c. 0.5 mm wide below, slightly wider above), 19-26 mm long; rays 4, thicker than the peduncle (c. 0.8 mm wide), spreading, 3-4 mm long; pedicels of the lateral flowers 2 mm long; bracts acute, 1 mm long, with a tuberculate dorsal protuberance. Calyx slightly funnel-shaped; limb 02 mm long, minutely 4-toothed. Corolla in the mature bud very slender, weakly clavate, 16-18 mm long, 4-merous. Anthers 1 mm long; free parts of the filaments 25 mm long. Fruit ellipsoidal, truncate, c. 5 mm long. (Fig. 5, h.)
Occurrence. Wharton Range, Eastern New Guinea (Murray Pass, Mt. Albert Edward) (Fig. 6), c. 2800 m altitude.
Specimens Examined. EASTERN NEW GUINEA: Murray Pass, Wharton Ra., 2840 m alt., Brass 4564a, June-Sept. 1933 (L); Murray Pass, 2800 m alt., Ridsdale NGF 36837, 8.viii.1968 (LAE).
Amyema corniculatum is
known only from a restricted area within the range of A. clavipes,
to which it is closely related. The two species occur in close
proximity on the slopes of Mt. Albert Edward, but no intermediate
specimens have been seen. Amyema corniculaturn differs
from A. clavipes in the dimensions and slenderness of the
inflorescence, leaf size and the tuberculate bracts. See note
under A. wichmannii.
Illustrations
Amyema corniculatum. A - Twig with leaves and inflorescence. B - inflorescence seen from below. C - triad seen from side. From Danser (1936, Brittonia 2: 131-134).
Photographs
Amyema corniculata
updated 18 January 2007