Atractocarpus decorus

Atractocarpus decorus is a plant in the coffee family Rubiaceae which is endemic to New Guinea. Like many others in the genus, it has glossy dark green leaves and attractive white flowers.

Atractocarpus decorus
Cultivated in Cairns Botanic Gardens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Atractocarpus
Species:
A. decorus
Binomial name
Atractocarpus decorus
Synonyms[2]
  • Randia decora Valeton

Description

Atractocarpus decorus is a large shrub or small tree growing up to 4 m (13 ft) high. It has large leaves up to 32 cm (13 in) long by up to 13 cm (5.1 in) wide, glossy dark green above and lighter below with 9 to 13 prominent lateral veins each side of the midrib.[4] The female inflorescence consists of a single flower whereas the male inflorescence has between 15 and 30 flowers. Flowers are white with 5 petals, about 5 cm (2.0 in) long and 8 cm (3.1 in) across; the orange fruit is a solitary drupe about 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 3 cm (1.2 in) diameter.[4]

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1925 as Randia decora by Theodoric Valeton, based on material collected across New Guinea by the German botanist Rudolf Schlechter and Swiss botanist Carl Ludwig Ledermann between 1901 and 1912.[5] In a major review of the genus Atractocarpus in 1999 by Christopher Puttock, this species was transferred to Atractocarpus.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to New Guinea,[2][3][4] and grows in numerous locations on the island at altitudes from near sea level to at least 800 m (2,600 ft).[3][5][6]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). (2020). "Atractocarpus decorus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T143160152A170040401. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T143160152A170040401.en. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. "Atractocarpus decorus (Valeton) Puttock". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  3. "Atractocarpus decorus (Valeton) Puttock". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. Puttock, Christopher F. (1999). "Revision of Atractocarpus (Rubiaceae: Gardenieae) in Australia and New Combinations for Some Extra-Australian Taxa". Australian Systematic Botany. 12 (2): 301. doi:10.1071/SB97030.
  5. Valeton, T. (1925). "Die Rubiaceae von Papuasien". Botanische Jahrbücher fur Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 60 (1–2): 90.
  6. "Search: species: Atractocarpus decorus | Occurrence records". Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Australian Government. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
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