Key to Adult Flowering* Rhaphidophora Plants in New Guinea,

Australia and the Tropical Western Pacific *juvenile vegetative phases included for species where confusion is possible

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1A. Shingle climber (petiolePetiole: Leaf stem. much shorter than laminaLamina: Leaf blade. , laminaLamina: Leaf blade. appressed to substrate) .. 2
2A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. cordiform, chartaceous, base cordateCordate: , posteriorPosterior: lobes overlapping; primary venationVenation: The arrangement of veins in the leaf. strongly reticulateReticulate: Reticulate Venation. .. 3
3A. Primary venationVenation: The arrangement of veins in the leaf. conspicuously silver-grey; inflorescences arising front behind appressed shingling leaves, carried on abbreviated shoots arising from the leaf axil. Papua New Guinea (not known with certainty) .. 📌5. Rhaphidophora cryptantha
3B. Primary venationVenation: The arrangement of veins in the leaf. not silver grey; plant never flowering in the shingling phase. Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea (including New Ireland) .. 📌29. Rhaphidophora versteegii (Juvenile phase)
2B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. variously shaped (not cordiform), membranous to stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , base slightly cordateCordate: to truncate; primary venationVenation: The arrangement of veins in the leaf. pinnatePinnate: Pinnate Venation. .. 4
4A. Leaf lanmina membranous, with c. 3 prominent veinVein: Venation types: A. midrib; B. primary lateral veins; C. interprimaray veins; D. secondary veins; E. collective veins; F. tertiary veins; G. basal ribs; H. basal veins. s per side, these running from near the base to the upper margin or tip and crossing over the reticulateReticulate: Reticulate Venation. minor venationVenation: The arrangement of veins in the leaf. ; plant never flowering in the shingling phase. Throughout region .. .. 📌16. Rhaphidophora korthalsii Uuvenile phase)
4B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. to stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , without prominent veinVein: Venation types: A. midrib; B. primary lateral veins; C. interprimaray veins; D. secondary veins; E. collective veins; F. tertiary veins; G. basal ribs; H. basal veins. s running from the base to the upper margin or tip; plant fertile in the shingling phase .. 5
5A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. of flowering shoots with base truncate; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stoutly cigar-shaped, shortly stipitateStipitate: Having a stalk or stem. , inserted +/- level on stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. ; stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. 4-6 x 3-3.5 mm; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. elongated, longitudinally orientated; plant with disarticulating side shoots functioning as vegetative propagation units. Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea [including New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville and Muyua (Woodlark) Island], and Australia (Eastern tropical Queensland) .. 📌11. Rhaphidophora hayi
5B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. of flowering shoots with base acute to cuneateCuneate: ; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. narrowly cigar-shaped, long stipitateStipitate: Having a stalk or stem. , inserted obliquely on stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. ; stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. 6- 10 x 2-2.4 mm; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. punctiform; plant without disarticulating side shoots. Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea .. 📌. 21. Rhaphidophora pachyphylla
1B. Not as above .. 6.
6A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. variously pinnatePinnate: Pinnate Venation. ly divided and/or perforateForate: With aperatures or openings. d; roots smooth or pubescentPubescent: With a hairy surface. .. 7
7A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. of mature plants pinnatisectPinnatisect: Having lobes with incisions that extend almost, or up to midrib. to slightly to extensively perforateForate: With aperatures or openings. d, perforations round to rhombicRhombic: , extending c. +/- of laminaLamina: Leaf blade. width on each side of the midrib; shoot tips with prominent chartaceous prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. remains. Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea (including New Ireland) .. 📌29. Rhaphidophora versteegii
7B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. of mature plants pinnatisectPinnatisect: Having lobes with incisions that extend almost, or up to midrib. , the pinnaPinna: A primary division of a pinnate leaf. e often perforateForate: With aperatures or openings. d basalBasal: Forming or belonging to a bottom layer or base. ly; active shoot tips with sparse to copious netted fibre. Throughout the region .. 📌16. Rhaphidophora korthalsii
6B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. entire, if pinnatePinnate: Pinnate Venation. then with densely ramentose-scaly roots .. 8
8A. Inflorescences arising on clinging shoots .. 9
9A. Shoot tips without variously textured cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. , prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and petiolar sheath fibre; laminaLamina: Leaf blade. ovateOvate: , 2.5-8.5 x 0.9- 4 cm, very stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , base cordateCordate: to rounded and slightly notched, apexApex: End forming a point. longacuminateAcuminate: Tapering to a point. with a pronounced tubule. Papua New Guinea .. 📌20. Rhaphidophora okapensis
9B. Shoot tips with variously textured cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. , prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and petiolar sheath fibre; leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. s various, but not the above combination of characters .. 10
10A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. pinnatisectPinnatisect: Having lobes with incisions that extend almost, or up to midrib. ; feeding roots densely ramentose-scaly. Throughout region .. 📌16. Rhaphidophora korthalsii
10B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. entire; feeding roots smooth or pubescentPubescent: With a hairy surface. .. 11
11A. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. sessileSessile: Attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle. .. 12
12A. Inflorescences solitary; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region conical, stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. not prominent. New Guinea and Australia (eastern tropical Queensland) .. 📌1. Rhaphidophora australasica
12B. Inflorescences two or more together; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region truncate, stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. prominent .. 13
13A. Inflorescences subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by netted fibre and copious sheet-like tissue, arising two or more sequentially between foliage leaves. Papua New Guinea .. 📌7. Rhaphidophora fortis
13B. Inflorescences each subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by prominent chartaceous prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and one or more large cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s, the whole forming a synflorescence not interspersed with foliage leaves .. 14
14A. ProphyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. s and cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ing inflorescences soon degrading and falling; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. caducousCaducous: Easily detached and shed at an early stage. , 16-24 cm long, stiff, thin; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. slender cylindrical, 13-21 x 1-3 cm, long decurrentDecurrent: Extending down the stem below the point of attachment. (to 2 cm) at pedunclePeduncle: Flower stem. / spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. insertion. New Britain and Bougainville .. 📌14. Rhaphidophora jubata
14B. ProphyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. s and cataphylJs subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ing inflorescences drying chartaceous and persisting into fruit maturation; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. marcescentMarcescent: Withering but remaining attached to the stem. , 5-13.5 cm long, stiff-fleshy, very thick-walled (up to 1 cm at tip); spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stoutly cylindrical, 3-16.5 x 1-1.5 cm, inserted almost level on pedunclePeduncle: Flower stem. .. 15
15A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. drying pale grey-green, often (but not always) profoundly perforateForate: With aperatures or openings. d; juvenile growth phase shingling. Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea (including New Ireland) .. 📌29. Rhaphidophora versteegii
15B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. drying strongly bicolored, adaxially dark brown, abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly bright orange-brown with copious, minute tannin cells, never perforateForate: With aperatures or openings. ; juvenile growth phase not shingling. Palau, Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea (including Woodlark (Muyua) Island), Federated States of Micronesia (Yap) .. 📌25. Rhaphidophora spathacea
11B. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stipitateStipitate: Having a stalk or stem. .. 16
16A. Inflorescence solitary, terminating short shoots arising singly in the axils of several adjacent leaves, each inflorescence subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and several degraded, netted cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. ovoide llipsoid , 3.5-6.5 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. ovoid-ellipsoid, 2.5-3.5 x 1.3-1.7 cm; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region prominently conical, hexagonal in plan view; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. punctiform. New Guinea .. 📌8. Rhaphidophora geniculata
16B. Inflorescences several close together in a synflorescence, each subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a prominent chartaceous prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and one or more chartaceous cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s, the entire synflorescence emerging from a mass of chartaceous cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. canoe-shaped, 4-5.5 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. ylindrical, c. 3.2 x 0.9 cm; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region rounded-conical, almost circular in plan view; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. deeply excavated. Indonesian Papua (Mimika Prov.) and Papua New Guinea (East Sepik Prov.) .. .. 📌29. Rhaphidophora waria
8B. Inflorescences arising on free shoots .. 17
17A. Shoot tips with variously textured cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. , prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and petiolar sheath fibre .. 18
18A. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stipitateStipitate: Having a stalk or stem. .. 19
19A. Flowering shoots extremely abbreviated, arising from axils of leaves, all but obscured by netted petiolar sheath and cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. fibre; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. ovoid-cylindric, 3-4 cm long, thinly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. ; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. slender cylindrical, 2.9-3.4 x 1.7-1.9 cm; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region depressed centrally; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Indonesian Papua (Mimika/Digul Prov. Boundary .. 📌2. Rhaphidophora brevispathacea
19B. Flowering shoots elongated and leafy, not as above; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. canoeshaped, 20- 23 cm long, stiffly very fleshy; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. cylindrical to slightly cigar-shaped, 13.5- 19 x 2.2-4 cm; stylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region truncate with a raised rim; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s not exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Indonesian Papua (Yapen), Papua New Guinea (East & West Sepik, Milne Bay & Morobe Prov.) .. 📌6. Rhaphidophora discolor
18B. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. sessileSessile: Attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle. .. 20
20A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: to narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: -ellipticElliptic: , not exceeding 25 x 6 cm, stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. .. 21
21A. CataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s, prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. s and petiolar sheath degrading to simple robust fibres. Papua New Guinea (Kokoda & Port Moresby) .. .. 📌15. Rhaphidophora kokodensis
21B. CataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s, prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. s and petiolar sheath degrading to weak fibres and strips of soft felt-like tissue. Indonesian Papua (Kepala Burung - Arfak Mts) .. 📌23. Rhaphidophora pilosa
20B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. ovateOvate: to oblongOblong: -ellipticElliptic: or oblongOblong: lanceolateLanceolate: , slightly oblique, frequently exceeding 30 x 10 cm,. up to 76 x 32, submembranous, subcoriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , only rarely coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. and then never stiffly so .. 22
22A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. drying strongly bicolore~ , adaxially mid-brown, abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly pale brown; inflorescences usually several together, occasionally solitary each subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a soon-degrading membranous prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. ; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 9.5- 12 (- 16 cm) long. Papua New Guinea (Western Prov.), Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal, New Georgia, San Cristobal and the Santa Cruz Group), Fiji, Western and American Samoa .. 📌26. Rhaphidophora spuria
22B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. not drying bicolored or if bicolored then abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly greenish brown, adaxially dark brown with dense faint dark speckling; inflorescence always solitary, subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a +/- fully developed foliage leaf and copious netted fibre and sheet-like tissue or a +/- fully developed foliage leaf and one or nlore degrading papery cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 17-22 long .. 23
23A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. subcoriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , drying concolorous, base subacute to slightly decurrentDecurrent: Extending down the stem below the point of attachment. ; inflorescence subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a +/- fully developed foliage leaf and copious netted fibre and sheet-like tissue; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 17-20 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. 10.5-18.5 x 1.7-2.3 cm; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s not exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Papua New Guinea (Central & Morobe) .. .. 📌U. Rhaphidophora intonsa
23B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. submenbranous, drying bicolored, abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly greenish brown, adaxially dark brown and densely faint dark speckled, base oblique, one side rounded to almost truncate, the other subacute; inflorescence subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a +/- fully developed foliage leaf and one or more degrading papery cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. s; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. c. 22 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. 17-19 x 1.5-2 cm, yellow green: antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s long-exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Papua New Guinea (East Sepik, Morobe & Bougainville) .. 📌4. Rhaphidophora cravenschoddeana
17B. Shoot tips without cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. , prophyllProphyll: One of two first leaves to appear on a lateral shoot, usually smaller than the leaves that follow. and petiolar sheath fibre .. .. 24
24A. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stipitateStipitate: Having a stalk or stem. .. 25
25A. StylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region conical .. 26
26A. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. base with cochleate insertion; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. glossy, black, at tip of long (c. 2 mm) slender stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. ; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s not exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Guam .. 📌10. Rhaphidophora guamensis
26B. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. base tapering to almost truncate; stigmaStigma: The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. not as above; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Papua New Guinea (including Louisiade Archipelago), Australia (Queensland) .. 27
27A. Petiolar sheath soon drying and eventually falling more-or-less entire leaving a conspicuous scar; inflorescence solitary, subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a partially developed foliage leaf and a membranous cataphyllCataphyll: A reduced, small leaf. Usually used to describe a modified leaf which lacks a blade and in appearance corresponds to a petiole sheath. ; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 6-8 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. c. 1 x 0.6 cm. Australia (Queensland) .. .. 📌22. Rhaphidophora petrieana
27B. Petiolar sheath persistentPersistent: Remaining attached to the plant beyond the usual time of falling. through to leaf fall; inflorescence not solitary, subtendSubtend: (of a bract) extend under (a flower) so as to support or enfold it. ed by a +/- fully developed foliage leaf; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 11-13 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. stipeStipe: A stalk or stem. 2.5-3 x 3-0.4 cm. Papua New Guinea (including Louisiade Archipelago) .. 📌27. Rhaphidophora stenophylla
25B. StylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region truncate .. 28
28A. Petiolar sheath extending beyond the apicalApical: Of, relating to, or denoting an apex. geniculum by two liguleLigule: A narrow strap-shaped part of a plant, especially a membranous scale on the inner side of the leaf sheath at its junction with the blade. s adaxially and by fused extensions along the abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). midrib for up to half the leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. length; leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. oblongOblong: -ellipticElliptic: , up to 16.5 cm long, submembranous; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. apexApex: End forming a point. truncate and extending into a very long, slender beak up to 'h length of entire spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. ; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. cigar-shaped; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s not exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Indonesian Papua (Kepala Burung) .. 📌13. Rhaphidophora intrusa
28B. Petiolar sheath extending beyond the apicalApical: Of, relating to, or denoting an apex. geniculum only by two tiny liguleLigule: A narrow strap-shaped part of a plant, especially a membranous scale on the inner side of the leaf sheath at its junction with the blade. s; leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. , lanceolateLanceolate: to oblongOblong: -lanceolateLanceolate: , up to 34 cm long and usually exceeding 18 cm, thinly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. ; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. apexApex: End forming a point. stoutly short-beaked, beak not exceeding 1/6 length of entire spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. ; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. cylindrical; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s strongly exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Papua New Guinea (including Bismarck Archipelago), Solomon Islands .. .. 📌24. Rhaphidophora schlechteri
24B. SpadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. sessileSessile: Attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle. .. 29
29A. StylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region conical. Primary lafieral veinVein: Venation types: A. midrib; B. primary lateral veins; C. interprimaray veins; D. secondary veins; E. collective veins; F. tertiary veins; G. basal ribs; H. basal veins. s drying much paler than abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. . Indonesian Papua (Kepala Burung & Mimika Prov.), Papua New Guinea (Muyua, New Britain) .. 📌3. Rhaphidophora conica
29B. StylarStylar: The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma. region truncate. Primary lateral veinVein: Venation types: A. midrib; B. primary lateral veins; C. interprimaray veins; D. secondary veins; E. collective veins; F. tertiary veins; G. basal ribs; H. basal veins. s not as above .. 30
30A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: ; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 6-6.5 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. cylindrical, 3.3-3.5 x c. 0.7 cm. Papua New Guinea (Eastern Highlands - Goroka; Southern Highlands - Mendi) .. .. 📌9. Rhaphidophora gorokensis
30B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. membranous to thinly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , variously shaped but not narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: , or if narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: then not stiffly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. and inflorescences borne on the tips of long, slender, pendent stems; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. 2.5- 3 cm long; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. ovoid-globose to ovoidcylindric, 1- 1.5 x 0.5-0.6 cm .. 31
31A. Inflorescences arising from long, pendent shoots .. 32
32A. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. narrowly lanceolateLanceolate: to lanceolateLanceolate: falcateFalcate: Curved like a sickle; hooked. , 4-19 x 1-3 cm, thinly coriaceousCoriaceous: Resembling or having the texture of leather. , weakly bicolored, adaxially dull mid-brown, abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly paler brown with dense tannin cells; inflorescences borne at tips of very long, slender flowering stems ( c. 2 mm diam. in dried material); spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. ovoid-ellipsoid, stoutly long-beaked, 2.5-3 x 0.7-0.9 cm; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. ovoid-globose to ovoid-cylindric, 1- 1.5 x 0.5-0.6cm. Indonesian Papua (Mimika Prov.), Papua New Guinea (Madang & Morobe Prov.) .. 📌17. Rhaphidophora microspadix
32B. Leaf laminaLamina: Leaf blade. ellipticElliptic: to oblongOblong: -ellipticElliptic: , 20-29 x 8-13 cm, membranous, markedly bicolored, adaxially mid-brown, abaxialAbaxial: Facing away from the stem of a plant (especially denoting the lower surface of a leaf). ly pale orange brown; inflorescences borne on short shoots arising from axils of leaves along long, pendent flowering steins c. 1 cm diam. in dried material; spatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. elongate-cylindric, stoutly short-beaked, c. 10.2 x 1.7 cm; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. slender cylindrical, 8 x 1.1 cm. Papua New Guinea (East Sepik Prov.) .. 📌28. Rhaphidophora stolleana
31B. Inflorescences arising from short, spreading shoots .. 33
33A. SpatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. cigar-shaped, 1-4.5 x 0.7-1.2 cm, caduceus; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. cylindrical, 1.5-2.5 x 0.5-0.8; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s not exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Papua New Guinea (Bougainville & Manus), Solomon Islands .. 📌18. Rhaphidophora mima
33B. SpatheSpathe: A large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster. globose to ovoid-ellipsoid, 1-2 x 1-2.5 cm, marcescentMarcescent: Withering but remaining attached to the stem. ; spadixSpadix: A spike of minute flowers closely arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe. globose to ellipsoid-cylindrical, 1-1.5 x 0.7-1 cm; antherAnther: The part of a stamen that contains the pollen. s well-exsertedExserted: Protruded, stretched out, or (esp of stamens) projecting. at male anthesisAnthesis: The period during which pollen is presented and/or the stigma is receptive. . Mainland New Guinea .. 📌19. Rhaphidophora neoguineensis
 


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