48. Hydnophytum albertisii Becc. — Fig. 51

Hydnophytum albertisii Becc. (1884) 124; (1885) 136, t. 45: 8–14; Valeton (1912b) 772; Merr. & L.M.Perry (1945) 24. — Type: d’Albertis s.n. (FI), Papua New Guinea, Fly River, 1877.

Tuber small, to 15 cm across, smooth. Entrance holes scattered, prominently lipped; 0.3–1 cm across internally. Stems several, little branched to 60 by 0.3–1 cm. Internodes 1–11 cm, square in section, with four ± prominent wings, these contracting at nodes. Leaves spreading. Lamina oblong-lanceolate, margins more or less parallel; 10 by 0.5 (11.5 by 2.7) to 17 by 4.7 (27 by 3.5) cm; apex acuminate; base attenuate; midrib prominent below; veins 7–10. Petiole 0.5–2 cm; stipules to 0.2 cm, triangular, caducous. Inflorescence comprising 2–4 unbranched peduncles bearing flowers towards their tips; to 1.5 cm in length. Flowers [5] heterostylous. Calyx entire, to 1 mm. Corolla tube to 3 mm, with a ring of hairs at mouth of tube; lobes to 1.5 mm. Short-styled flowers with anthers <1 mm; exserted, filaments to 1 mm; pollen 40–42.5 μm, 3-colpate, colpi unbordered, reticulation medium; stigma 2-lobed, style 1.5 mm. Long-styled flowers with anthers <1 mm; below ring of hairs; pollen 31–34 μm, reticulation medium to fine; stigma exserted. Fruit to 5 mm, red. Pyrenes 4, fusiform, 3.5 by 1.5 mm, triangular in section.

Ecology & Habitat — Closed or open forest, from 80–1 000 m. Tuber contains various arboreal predators including centipedes and spiders, only occasionally with ants.

Distribution — Papua New Guinea (Western, Southern Highlands and Gulf Provinces).

Conservation status — Near Threatened (NT). This taxon is widespread (1 000 km) across much of the southern foothills of the central highlands of New Guinea. Herbarium collections indicate at least six locations (subpopulations). Other information: georeferenced collections 8, AOO 15 000 km 2 (using an auto-value cell width of 50 km), EOO 38 800 km 2.

Note — The 4-angled stem, narrow-lanceolate leaves and pedunculate inflorescence, in which the initial peduncle is much reduced are diagnostic for this species.