Dischidia ovata Benth.

Bentham, G. (1843) Hooker's London Journal of Botany 2: 226. Type: New Guinea, Hinds; holo: K.

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm.

Leaves, twigs and petioles produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades thick and fleshy, about 20-50 x 12-31 mm, petioles about 2-5 mm long. Lateral veins pale, usually two or three on each side of the midrib. One or two colleters (small finger-shaped glands) present on the upper surface of the midrib close to its junction with the petiole.

Inflorescence a simple or two-branched raceme on a short peduncle. Flowers urn-shaped, about 7 x 4 mm. Sepals about 1 x 1.5 mm. Corolla lobes about 2-2.5 mm long. Throat of corolla hairy. Stamens fused into a column about 2 x 1 mm. Pollen aggregated in pollinia. Each anther ornamented with a large bifid appendage. Carpel about 1 mm long. Ovules numerous.

Fruit about 60-65 x 3 mm. Seeds brown, numerous. Each seed about 2-2.5 x 0.5-0.75 mm, plumed at one end, the plumes white, about 20-25 mm long. Embryo greenish, about 2 mm long, cotyledons about 1 mm long.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 150 m. Grows as an epiphytic vine in open forest, swamp forest, monsoon forest and rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea.

An interesting plant that has potential in horticulture for the attractive leaves.