Podocarpus marginalis

de Laub. 2015

Common names

None have been reported, but since the species looks very similar to Podocarpus neriifolius, it likely has the same common names as that species where it occurs in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Taxonomic notes

Type: Papua New Guinea, West Papua [Fly], Warei, Oriomo River, 1934, L.J. Brass 5907 (holo K, iso A, BM, BO, BRI, L, LAE, NY, US; image at GBIF accessed 2023.01.22) (de Laubenfels 2015). No synonyms, but most of the 31 specimens examined by de Laubenfels (2015) were originally assigned to Podocarpus neriifolius. No other author has published on this species and it has not been evaluated using molecular methods. See P. neriifolius for taxonomic notes on the 17 species in the P. neriifolius complex.

Description

Trees to 30 m tall. Crown, bark, twigs not described. Foliage buds 2-3 mm diameter, with erect triangular scales 2-3 mm long. Leaves on 3-5 mm petioles, linear, on mature trees 80-100 × 11-17 mm, juvenile and shade foliage "somewhat larger"; broad-acute or acuminate (note that among rainforest Podocarpus, shade foliage typically has acuminate drip tips while sun foliage typically does not). Upper (adaxial) midribs raised, rounded, 0.5-0.7 mm wide; lower midribs not described. Pollen cones sessile in groups of 1-3, mature pollen cones not seen. Seed cones on 8-10 mm peduncles, subtended by 2 foliola 1.5 mm long, receptacles 8-15 mm long, fleshy and red when ripe; seed within epimatium 9-13 × 6-8 mm (de Laubenfels 2015).

De Laubenfels (2015) states the species is distinct from Podocarpus neriifolius due to the linear, relatively broad leaves (11-17 vs. 10-12 mm), a character of uncertain taxonomic significance.

Distribution and Ecology

Indonesia: Halmahaira, Maluku, Papua Barat (West Papua), Sulawesi Utara; Papua New Guinea: Central Papua, Gulf, Milne Bay, North Papua, West Papua (Fly), West Sepik. Occurs in low-elevation coastal habitats, mostly below 150 m elevation (de Laubenfels 2015).

The IUCN has not evaluated this species with regard to conservation status. It is widespread on the island of New Guinea, but occurs on low-elevation sites where development and conversion to nonforest land uses are potential threats. There have been no reported collections since de Laubenfels described the species and no inventory exists apart from the list of specimens examined, given by de Laubenfels (2015).

Remarkable Specimens

No data as of 2023.01.22.

Ethnobotany

No recorded uses as of 2023.01.21, but since the species looks very similar to Podocarpus neriifolius, it likely has the same uses as that species where it occurs in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Observations

See the collection locales referred to by de Laubenfels (2015).

Remarks

De Laubenfels (2015) says the species "is common along both margins of New Guinea", and this is likely the basis for the epithet marginalis.

Citations

Laubenfels, David J. de. 2015. New sections and species of Podocarpus based on the taxonomic status of P. neriifolius (Podocarpaceae) in tropical Asia. Novon 24(2):133-152. https://doi.org/10.3417/2012091.

See also

Plants of the World online.