Cryptocarya brassii C.K.Allen

Allen, C.K. (1942) Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 23: 137. Type: New Guinea, Middle Fly River, Lake Daviumbu, Aug. 1938,L. J. Brass 7516; holo: A; iso: BO, BRI.

Blaze odour noticeable, but difficult to describe.

Twigs fluted, clothed in tortuous erect, brown hairs which persist even on old twigs. Leaf blades about 10-14 x 3.5-6.5 cm, slightly glaucous on the underside, sparingly clothed in tortuous, pale brown, erect hairs even on older leaves. Midrib depressed on the upper surface. Petioles flat, channelled or ridged on the upper surface. Oil dots visible with a lens.

Inflorescence paniculate, not or slightly exceeding the leaves. Flowers emitting an unpleasant odour. Lower half of the perianth tube pubescent on the inner surface. Tepals about 1.4-1.9 mm long, pubescent on the outer surface. Ovary and style glabrous.

Fruits ellipsoid, about 14-15 x 11 mm. Cotyledons cream or yellowish.

First pair of leaves ovate to cordate, about 30-40 x 20-28 mm, glaucous on the underside. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade somewhat glaucous on the underside; secondary venation prominent; oil dots very small, difficult to see, visible with a lens. Petiole, midrib and lateral veins hairy on the upper surface. Seed germination time 26 to 79 days.

Occurs in CYP. Altitudinal range from 40-100 m. Grows in gallery forest along creeks and rivers. Also occurs in New Guinea.

This species has no commercial value as it seldom grows large enough to produce millable logs and furthermore it grows in remote areas where forests are little utilized. Wood specific gravity 0.85. Hyland (1989).