Prunus brachystachya Kalkman

Kalkman, C. (1965) Blumea 13: 63. Type: Henty NGF 10526, Papua New Guinea.

Claudie Almond

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh. Blaze odour resembling that of almonds (Prunus dulcis).

Leaf blades about 10-14 x 4.5-6 cm, petioles about 0.5-1 cm long. Two flat glands usually visible on the underside of the leaf blade one on either side of the midrib close to the base. Lateral veins forming inconspicuous loops inside the blade margin and midrib depressed on the upper surface. Stipules strap-shaped, about 7-8 mm long.

Racemes about 1.5-6.5 cm long, pedicels about 1-7 mm long. Hypanthium about 2-4 mm long, pubescent outside. Perianth segments about 6-13, stamens about 15-50. Ovary usually glabrous. Style up to about 7 mm long.

Fruits globular to transversely ellipsoid, distinctly bilobed with a vein pattern on the surface, about 6-25 x 8-17 mm. Testa glabrous.

First pair of leaves with narrowly triangular stipules. Subsequent leaves with obovate stipules. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade ovate to elliptic, apex acuminate, base obtuse or cuneate, upper surface glabrous, midrib depressed on the upper surface; petiole with a few scattered hairs; stipules linear-triangular or falcate, hairy, about 10 x 2 mm, margins toothed. Seed germination time 32 to 59 days.

Occurs in CYP. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 450 m. Grows in well developed rain forest on a variety of sites. Also occurs in Malesia.

This species should be treated with caution as it is frequently recorded as having an almond odour ( HCN ) in various parts. The fruits should not be eaten.