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 
| |
| 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] | |
| |
Description
editAtractocarpus decorus is a large shrub or small tree growing up to 4 m (13 ft) high. It has large leaves arranged in opposite pairs on the twigs, measuring up to 32 cm (13 in) long by up to 13 cm (5.1 in) wide. They are 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
editThe 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]
Etymology
editThe genus name Atractocarpus is derived from the Ancient Greek terms átraktos, meaning "spindle", and karpós meaning "fruit", and refers to the spindle-shaped fruit of the type species. The species epithet decorus is a Latin word meaning "elegant" or "beautiful".
Distribution and habitat
editThis 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]
Conservation
editThis species was assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2018 and given the status of least concern. In its justification statement, the IUCN states "It is a widespread common species with an extent of occurrence exceeding the boundaries for a threatened category under criterion B. No major threats to the species have been identified and population is currently stable".[1]
Gallery
edit-
Foliage -
Flower buds -
Fruit -
Flowers with calyx visible
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c "Atractocarpus decorus (Valeton) Puttock". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "Atractocarpus decorus (Valeton) Puttock". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b Valeton, T. (1925). "Die Rubiaceae von Papuasien". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 60 (1–2): 90.
- ^ "Search: species: Atractocarpus decorus | Occurrence records". Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Australian Government. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
External links
edit
Data related to Atractocarpus decorus at Wikispecies
Media related to Atractocarpus decorus at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver
