Meryta pastoralis
Meryta pastoralis F.Tronchet & Lowry
Meryta pastoralis is a dioecious tree species in the Araliaceae family, native to the Marquesas Archipelago in French Polynesia. Described in 2011 by F.Tronchet and Lowry, it is distinguished by its narrowly obovate to spatulate leaves, with 5–11 carpels and smaller mature fruits compared to related species. It belongs to the Meryta sect. Choristomeryta, a group including Meryta sinclairii, Meryta tenuifolia, and Meryta choristantha. The species is named after P. A. Schaefer, in recognition of his early collection and contributions to the botanical understanding of the Marquesas.
Description
Meryta pastoralis is a monocaulous to sparsely branched tree, 3–6 (–10) m tall, with simple, alternate leaves clustered at branch tips. The leaves are narrowly obovate to spatulate, 20.4–40 × 5.2–9.8 cm, with a persistent ligule at the base of the petiole. The blade is chartaceous to coriaceous, glabrous, and shiny on the upper surface. Venation is brochidodromous, with prominent arches and a strong midvein. The species differs from Meryta choristantha by narrower leaves, more carpels, and smaller fruits. It is closely related to Meryta sinclairii, Meryta tenuifolia, and Meryta choristantha, forming a clade within Meryta sect. Choristomeryta. The specific epithet honors P. A. Schaefer, who first collected the species in 1975.
Distribution
Marquesas
