Distribution Map (Barlow 1974)
Description (Barlow 1974)
Dendrophthoe pelagica Barlow, sp. nov.
Type-New Guinea, Western Division, Daru I., in mangroves, Brass 6330, ll.iii.1936 (L 950115610, holotype; L 944355225).
Glaber. Folia alterna vel dissita; lamina obovata, 2-6 cm longa, 1-3 cm lata, apice rotundata, utrinque distincte penninervia, basi in petiolum 3-8 mm longum attenuata. Inflorescentiae 1-2 in axillis ortae; axis 5-10 mm longus, 2-4-(5) fibres praeditus; pedicelli gracili, 4-6 mm longi; bracteae patulae, rotundatae, 1 mm longae, apice breviter acuto. Calyx anguste cylindricus, 2-3 mm longus; limbus tenuis, integer, 1 mm longus. Corolla in alabastro maturo 32-36-(40) mm longa. Antherae 3.5 mm longae; pars liberae filamenti 1.5 vel 2-plo quam longae.
Entirely glabrous. Petiole 3-8 mm long; lamina obovate, 2-6 by 1-3 cm, gradually attenuate at the base, rounded at the apex; venation distinct on both sides. Inflor-escences 1 or 2 in the axils; axis 5-10 mm long, 2-to 4- to (5-) flowered; pedicels slender, 4-6 mm long; bracts spreading, rounded, 1 mm long, with a short acute tip. Calyx narrow cylindrical, 2-3 mm long; limb thin, entire, flaring, 1 mm long. Corolla in the mature bud 32-36-(40) mm long. Anthers 3.5 mm long; free parts of the filaments 1.5-2 times as long. Fruit not seen. (Fig. 7, i.)
Occurrence. Eastern New Guinea, Western Division (Fig. 8), in coastal lowlands. The species has also recently been recorded from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. It occurs in mangrove swamps, parasitic on Rhizophora.
Specimens Examined. EASTERN NEW GUINEA: Daru I., on Rhizophora mucronata, Brass 6234, 29.ii.1936 (L); mouth of Bensbach R., Western Division, 15 m alt., Ridsdale NGF 33677, 12.viii.1967 (L). QUEENSLAND: Princess Charlotte Bay, on Rhizophora, Scholander, 14.ix.1966 (AD).
Dendrophthoe pelagica is
sharply distinct from its closest congeners in being quite glabrous,
and in its rounded leaves. In these respects it shows similar
adaptations to other loranths which are host-specific for mangroves,
i.e. Amyema mackayense, A. thalassium and Lysiana subfalcata
subsp. maritima.
Illustrations
Dendrophthoe pelagica. Portion of plant. From Barlow (1974).
Photographs
Mistletoe (Wiens 4885) parasitic on Rhizophora. Makay, Queensland, Australia. Photo by Del Wiens (labeled as Amyema mackayense).
Dendrophthoe pelagica
updated 20 January 2007