Ryticaryum longifolium K.Schum. & Lauterb.

Schumann, K. & Lauterbach, K. (1900) Die Flora der Deutschen Schutzgebiete in der Sudsee : 415. Type: New Guinea, Ibeckippo, near Bonga, 27 August 1890, C. A. G. Lauterbach 773; holo: B; iso: WRSL. Fide Guymer (1984).

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-4 m tall.

Vascular rays usually visible (with a lens) in the twigs. Twig pith usually hollow. Leaf blades about 8-18 x 3-6 cm. Lateral veins forming distinct loops well inside the blade margin.

Inflorescence appears terminal but is actually pseudo-terminal. Corolla about 1.5-2 mm long. Ovary without a fleshy lateral appendage. Ovary clothed in brown prostrate hairs. Ovules 2. Stigma sparsely clothed in straight, brown, prostrate hairs.

Fruits about 2-2.5 cm long, +/- sessile, laterally compressed. The endocarp which could easily be mistaken for testa is coarsely reticulate with about 4-8 +/- longitudinal ribs. Cotyledons obovate, much wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons almost orbicular, about 35-40 x 27-33 mm, base sagittate or auriculate. At the tenth leaf stage: lateral veins forming distinct loops well inside the blade margin. Terminal buds clothed in pale yellowish prostrate hairs. Seed germination time 47 to 224 days.

Occurs in CYP. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 500 m. Grows as an understory plant in well developed lowland and upland rain forest but is most commonly found in gallery forest on river flats. Also occurs in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.