Post by alex on Jul 5, 2011 9:42:05 GMT 1
Polyalthia amicorum
family: Annonaceae
Apparently endemic to Tonga, where is now occurs only in cultivation, mostly around cemeteries. It is possibly that it was formerly endemic to Tongatapu, but has disappeared from the wild along with virtually all of the native inland forest on the island. If it were also native to ‘Eua, it would probably still be found in the native forest remaining there. It is tempting to try to call this an ancient introduction from Fiji, but the closest relatives there are different from Polyalthia amicorum. Polyalthia laddiana A.C. Smith occurs in limestone forest in Lau (a similar habitat as occurring on ‘Eua), but its leaves are much bigger than those of the Tongan species. Polyalthia amygdalina (A. Gray) Gillespie occurs on Viti Levu and Ovalau, but its fruits are rounder and wider than those of Polyalthia amicorum. The fragrant fruits are used to scent coconut oil, and the likewise fragrant flowers to make leis. Tree 5 m or more in height, with glabrous stems. Leaves simple, alternate; blade lanceolate to elliptic, 5–15 cm long, rounded to subcordate at the base, broadly acuminate at the tip; surfaces glabrous; margins entire; petiole 1–3 mm long. Inflorescence of solitary, cauliflorous flowers. Calyx of 3 ovate sepals 1–1.2 cm long, greenish tinged with rose on the outside, rose colored within; pedicel ca. 6–8 mm long. Corolla 6 ovate petals in 2 whorls, slightly smaller than the sepals, rose colored. Ovaries ca. 8, on a stipe 4–6 mm long; usually with 1 or 2 fertile ovules. Stamens many, free, included. Fruit composed of several indehiscent carpels, globose (if 1-seeded) or oblong (if 2-seeded), 1–2.8 cm long, green at maturity. Flowering and fruiting probably occur throughout the year. Distinguishable by its tree habit; alternate, mostly lanceolate leaves on a short petiole; solitary, yellowish to purplish flowers; many stamens; and each flower producing about 8 free carpels that form green fruits at maturity.
source:
www.cieer.org/efloras/tonga_rare/query/details.php?plantgroup=Dicotyledonae&family=Annonaceae&genus=Polyalthia&species=amicorum&id=2
family: Annonaceae
Apparently endemic to Tonga, where is now occurs only in cultivation, mostly around cemeteries. It is possibly that it was formerly endemic to Tongatapu, but has disappeared from the wild along with virtually all of the native inland forest on the island. If it were also native to ‘Eua, it would probably still be found in the native forest remaining there. It is tempting to try to call this an ancient introduction from Fiji, but the closest relatives there are different from Polyalthia amicorum. Polyalthia laddiana A.C. Smith occurs in limestone forest in Lau (a similar habitat as occurring on ‘Eua), but its leaves are much bigger than those of the Tongan species. Polyalthia amygdalina (A. Gray) Gillespie occurs on Viti Levu and Ovalau, but its fruits are rounder and wider than those of Polyalthia amicorum. The fragrant fruits are used to scent coconut oil, and the likewise fragrant flowers to make leis. Tree 5 m or more in height, with glabrous stems. Leaves simple, alternate; blade lanceolate to elliptic, 5–15 cm long, rounded to subcordate at the base, broadly acuminate at the tip; surfaces glabrous; margins entire; petiole 1–3 mm long. Inflorescence of solitary, cauliflorous flowers. Calyx of 3 ovate sepals 1–1.2 cm long, greenish tinged with rose on the outside, rose colored within; pedicel ca. 6–8 mm long. Corolla 6 ovate petals in 2 whorls, slightly smaller than the sepals, rose colored. Ovaries ca. 8, on a stipe 4–6 mm long; usually with 1 or 2 fertile ovules. Stamens many, free, included. Fruit composed of several indehiscent carpels, globose (if 1-seeded) or oblong (if 2-seeded), 1–2.8 cm long, green at maturity. Flowering and fruiting probably occur throughout the year. Distinguishable by its tree habit; alternate, mostly lanceolate leaves on a short petiole; solitary, yellowish to purplish flowers; many stamens; and each flower producing about 8 free carpels that form green fruits at maturity.
source:
www.cieer.org/efloras/tonga_rare/query/details.php?plantgroup=Dicotyledonae&family=Annonaceae&genus=Polyalthia&species=amicorum&id=2