Atalantia Corrêa

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution

A genus of about 11–17 species distributed from India through Malesia to New Guinea, with only one representative in New Guinea.

Morphology General Habit

Trees and shrubs to 4 m, sometimes with spines present on young branches

Morphology General Indumentum

Indumentum of simple hairs when present. Leaves alternate, simple, petioles articulated, not winged, sometimes very short, margins entire to crenate, ventation pinnate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, paniculate, corymbose of fasciculate clusters

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual; 3–5-merous; calyx regularly lobed or splitting irregularly; petals imbricate; stamens 6–10, free or fused; disk annular or cupular, enclosing base of the ovary; ovary 3–5-locular, ovules 1(–2) per locule, style caducous, stigma capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a berry, subglobose, exocarp granular, pulp vesicles peripheral or filling locules

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds oblong.

Ecology

Known only from coral limestone at sea level in islands off the north coast of western New Guinea.

Recognition

The New Guinea species can be recognised by the alternate, simple leaves, the paniculate inflorescences with numerous, 5-merous flowers with 10 stamens which are alternately short and long, the triangular, 3-locular ovary with a single ovule per locule.