Sogerianthe cupuliformis Barlow

Distribution Map

Sogerianthe cupuliformis Barlow, sp. nov.

Type-Normanby I., Lebudowa R., c. 13 m alt., Brass 25487, 19.iv.1956 (L 952775284, holotype; CANB 56967; K; LAE 31004).

Pedicellis et involucrum et calyx breviter brunneo-tomentosi; ceterum glaber. Lamina elliptica vel ovata, 6-15 cm longa, (2)-4-7 cm lata, infra medium dilata-tissima, apice acuminata acuta, basi in petiolum obscurum alatum attenuata vel fere sessilis. Inflorescentiae aliquot vel numerosae e nodiis ortae; pedicellis numquam articulatus, (l)-2-3-(4) mm longus; bracteae tres, 1-1.5 mm longae, ad marginem in cupulam vadosum plus minusve trilobum connatae. Calyx cylindricus vel cupiformis, 2-3 mm longus; limbus membranaceus, integer vel denticulatus, usque ad 2 mm longus, saepe inflexus. Corolla in alabastro maturo 24-32 mm longa, in media inflata, apice clavata; tubus 12-18 mm longus. Anthera 2-4 mm longa. Fructus ellipsoideus.

Glabrous except for the pedicel, bracteal cup and calyx shortly brown-tomentose. Petiole winged, obscure or virtually absent; lamina ovate, 6-15 by (2)-4-7 cm, attenuate at the base, acuminate and acute at the apex. Inflorescences several to many at the nodes; pedicel not articulate, (l)-2-3-(4) mm long; bracts 3, l-1.5 mm long, united at the margins into a shallow, more or less 3-lobed cup. Calyx cylindrical or barrel-shaped, 2-3 mm long; limb membranous, entire or denticulate, often rolled inwards, up to 2 mm long. Corolla in the mature bud 24-32 mm long, inflated in the middle, clavate at the apex; petals in the open flower gamopetalous to the middle or slightly higher. Anthers 2-4 mm long, shorter than or rarely equal to the free parts of the filaments. Fruit ellipsoidal, crowned by the persistent calyx limb.

Occurrence. D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Louisiade Archipelago and the Solomon Islands (Fig. 8), 5 to 900 m altitude.

Specimens Examined.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS: Goodenough I., E. slopes, 900 m alt., Brass 25044, 25-29.x.1953 (CANB); Normanby I., Waikaiuna Bay, 15 m alt., Womersley and Brass NGF 8624, 18.iv.1956 (LAE).

LOUISIADE ARCHIPELAGO: Sudest I., Joe Landing, 5 m alt., Brass 27744, 18.viii.1956 (CANB; K; L); Rossel I., Mt. Rossel, 600 m alt., Brass 28480, 20.x.1956 (LAE).

BOUGAINVILLE: 15 miles N. of Bum, 700 malt., Schodde and Craven 3840, 15.viii.1964 (CANB).

GUADALCANAL: Between Tinajula R. and Tinomeat, 400 m alt., Whitmore BSIP 675, 19.x.1962 (L).

SAN CRISTOVAL Irorauki Ridge, Maru Bay, 150 m alt., Gafui (and collectors) BSIP 12774, 25.xi.1968 (LAE); Big Nggala, N. of Haleta Vill., 130 m alt., Gafui (and collectors) BSIP 15063, 13.vi.1969 (L).

Sogerianthe cupuliformis is allied to S. versicolor, differing in the shorter pedicel, longer calyx limb, larger bracteal cup, the longer flowers and the shorter or obscure petiole.

Illustrations

Sogerianthe cupuliformis

updated 20 January 2007