Polyalthia nitidissima

(Canary Beech, Shiny Leaf Tree)

Description

A small subcanopy or understorey tree with dark bark. Leaves are simple, very dark green and quite shiny, about 6-10 cm long x 2.5-4 cm wide. Domatia are present along the midrib on the undersurface of the leaf – they take the form of small patches of rusty hairs. Flowers are dull yellow to yellow-green. Sepals roughly triangular, about 2.5 mm long. Petals 6 in 2 whorls, iInner and outer petals of similar dimensions, about 15 x 4-5 mm. Fruits are fleshy, ripening to orange or red, with several fruiting carpels produced by each flower in an umbel-like arrangement.

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