Malaisia scandens subsp. megacarpa

Malaisia scandens subsp. megacarpa is a flowering plant in the mulberry family. The subspecific epithet comes from the Greek mega ("big") and carpos ("fruit"), with reference to the larger fruits in this subspecies.[1]

Malaisia scandens subsp. megacarpa
Near Malabar-Kims at Lord Howe Island
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Malaisia
Species:
Subspecies:
M. s. subsp. megacarpa
Trinomial name
Malaisia scandens subsp. megacarpa
Synonyms
  • Trophis scandens subsp. megacarpa (P.S.Green,) P.S.Green

Description

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It is a rough-barked, woody climber. The alternate, leathery, oval leaves are usually 80–110 mm long and 40–50 mm wide. The male flowers are minute, occurring in cylindrical inflorescences up to 10 mm long, the female flowers in globular heads 4 mm across, appearing from July to October. The bright red fruits are 12 mm across.[1][2]

Distribution and habitat

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The subspecies is endemic to Australia's subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, where it is common in lowland forest.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Trophis scandens subsp. megacarpa". Flora of Australia Online: Data derived from Flora of Australia Volume 49 (1994). Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Retrieved 2014-02-26.
  2. ^ a b Hutton, Ian (1998). The Australian Geographic Book of Lord Howe Island. Sydney: Australian Geographic. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-876276-27-0.