Ryticaryum longifolium is a species of plant in the family Icacinaceae, native to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.
| Ryticaryum longifolium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Herbarium specimen | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Icacinales |
| Family: | Icacinaceae |
| Genus: | Ryticaryum |
| Species: | R. longifolium |
| Binomial name | |
| Ryticaryum longifolium | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
8 synonyms
| |
Description
editRyticaryum longifolium is a shrub growing to about 5 m (16 ft) in height. New growth is covered by short brown hairs. The leaves are mostly hairless, up to 18 cm (7.1 in) long and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. They have between seven and ten lateral veins on either side of the midrib and are attached to the twigs by a petiole about 8 mm (0.31 in) long.[4][5]
Small flowers about 2 mm (0.08 in) long are borne on spikes about 4 cm (1.6 in) long. The fruit is red ovoid drupe about 2 cm (0.8 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide, and contains a single seed.[4][5] This species is dioecious, meaning that pistillate (functionally female) and staminate (functionally male) flowers are borne on separate plants.[6]: 35
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is mostly found in gallery forest alongside watercourses but may also occur in rainforest; the altitudinal range is from close to sea level up to about 500 m (1,600 ft) in Australia,[5] and up to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in New Guinea.[6]: 41
Conservation
editAs of June 2026[update], this species has been assessed to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and by the Queensland Government under its Nature Conservation Act.[1][7]
Uses
editIn the Solomon Islands, the leaves are cooked and eaten.[6]: 41
References
edit- 1 2 Jimbo, T. (2022). "Ryticaryum longifolium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T198575972A202837024. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T198575972A202837024.en.
- ↑ "Ryticaryum longifolium K.Schum. & Lauterb". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Ryticaryum longifolium K.Schum. & Lauterb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- 1 2 Guymer, G.P. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Ryticaryum longifolium K.Schum. & Lauterb". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Ryticaryum longifolium K.Schum. & Lauterb". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Sleumer, H. (1971). "Icacinaceae". In Steenis, C.G.G.J. van; Steenis-Kruseman, M.J. van (eds.). Series I: Spermatophyta. Flora Malesiana. Vol. 7. Djakarta: Noordhoff-Kolff. pp. 1–87.
- ↑ "Taxon - Ryticaryum longifolium". WildNet. Queensland Government. 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
External links
edit
- Map of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- Observations of this species on iNaturalist
- Images of this species on Flickriver.com