(Fig. 3)

Communication (Pengumuman) of the Forest Research Institute, Indonesia 60: 13 (1957).

TYPUS. — Madagascar. Montagnes au nord de Mangindrano, 2000-2200 m, 1951, fls, Humbert & Capuron 25215 (holo-, P!; iso-, K!, MO!, P [P00541568]!).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Peaks of Ambohimirahavavy, Humbert & Capuron 25215 (K, MO, P); same locality, Humbert & Capuron 25130 (MO, P[P02002151]), Massif d’Ambohimirahavavy, Service Forestier (Capuron) 960 (MO, P[P02033241]); same locality, Service Forestier (Capuron) 971, (MO, P[P02033242, P02033243], TEF); Mahajanga, Bealanana, Mangindrano, Forêt d’Analamalalaka, Razafitsalama et al. 223 (MO, P,TEF); Mahajanga, Fiv. Bealanana, Commune Mangindrano, Razafitsalama 339, 362 (MO, P[P02033239], TEF).

REMARKS. — Ocotea elliptica is best recognized by its broadly elliptic, coriaceous leaves, glabrous terminal buds and flat cupules with six teeth. Kostermans (1957) compared O. elliptica with O. platydisca Kosterm.; this and other similar species differ in having pubescent terminal buds and leaves with acute tips or bases.

DISTRIBUTION. — Ocotea elliptica is only known from a few collections from the Massif de l’ Ambohimirahavary, where the Mahavavy and Androranga rivers originate at about 2000 m altitude.

PHENOLOGY. — Flowers: January, Fruits: February.

DESCRIPTION

Tree to 20 m. Twigs glabrous, somewhat ridged or angular; terminal buds glabrous. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, broadly elliptic, 4-7 × 2.5 × 4.5 cm, glabrous, base obtuse, apex obtuse or broadly, shortly acuminate, lateral veins 5-7, immersed on upper surface, very slightly raised on lower surface, tertiary venation not visible in upper surface, barely visible on lower surface, domatia absent. Petioles glabrous 1-1.5 cm long. Inflorescences mostly in axils of bracts clustered near tips of branches, occasionally in axils of leaves, 4-7 cm long, very sparsely appressed pubescent. Pedicels 4-5 mm long. Tepals 6, equal, spreading at anthesis, subglabrous outside, pubescent inside, especially towards the base, 2-2.5 mm long; stamens 9, 4-celled, outer six c. 1.5 mm long, the filaments pubescent, c. 0.5 mm long; inner three stamens the same size as outer six, but the pubescent filaments with two large glands near the base; staminodia three, very small, pubescent; pistil glabrous, 2-2.5 mm long, style about as long as ovary; receptacle cup-shaped, glabrous inside. Fruits 2 cm long, 1.3 cm wide, ellipsoid to ovoid-ellipsoid, cupule flat, plate-like, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, tepals initially persisting, falling off from older cupules, the cupules then with six teeth.