Harmsiopanax ingens
| Harmsiopanax ingens | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Harmsiopanax |
| Species: | H. ingens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Harmsiopanax ingens Philipson
| |
Harmsiopanax ingens is a very spiny palmlike mesocaul tree in the family (Araliaceae), endemic to the montane rainforests of central New Guinea which bears a terminal rosette of deeply lobed, dentate margined, usually (but not invariably) peltate leaves 1 m (3 ft 3 in) across, maple-like in shape, on equally long petioles. It ultimately attains a height of 18 m (59 ft), at which point it bears a huge panicle of flowers 5 m (16 ft) high and equally wide; the largest above ground inflorescence of any dicot plant[1] (although Caloncoba flagelliflora of West Africa,[2] Ficus geocarpa of the Malay Peninsula,[3] and Ficus uncinata var. strigosa also of Malaya[4] have larger subsurface panicles, each about 9 m (30 ft) in length). The panicles of H. ingens are unusual; the ultimate twigs being spikes each bearing about fifty tiny umbels, each umbel with 8 to 20 minute flowers; thus panicle, spike and umbel are all represented in a single inflorescence.[1] Harmsiopanax ingens is monocarpic, and again the largest such plant among dicots. It was discovered in 1973 by W. R. Philipson.[1] Its native name is makua.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d W. R. Philipson (1973), A Revision of Harmsiopanax. Blumea 21 (1): 84-85.
- ^ E. Gilg, "Flacourtiaceae", DIE NATURLICHEN PFLANZENFAMILIEN (2nd edition; 1925) Vol. 21 pp. 377-457.
- ^ "Moraceae - Ficus", FLORA MALESIANA Vol. 17 Part 2 (2005) pp. 40 & 461.
- ^ E.J.H. Corner, WAYSIDE TREES OF MALAYA (1952 edition) Vol. 1 p. 681.