Octomeles

Octomeles^[2] is a monotypic genus of plant in family Tetramelaceae. The sole species is Octomeles sumatrana,^[3][4] sometimes written O. sumatranum.^[5]

Octomeles
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Tetramelaceae
Genus:	Octomeles Miq.
Species:	O. sumatrana
Binomial name
Octomeles sumatrana Miq.

Octomeles sumatrana, commonly called Benuang, or Ilimo, is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. It and Tetrameles nudiflora are the only two species in the family Tetramelaceae. They were previously classified in the Datiscaceae but found genetically to not form a natural clade with the other members of that family.^[6]

Description

The tree is dioecious and large: reaching up to 75 m (246 ft) in height and up to thirteen feet (four meters) in diameter above the buttresses.^[7] A pioneer species, it regenerates quickly in disturbed habitats such as logged forest and previously cultivated land. It has been known to grow as much as 82 feet (25 meters) in height and up to 18.5 inches (0.47 meters) diameter at breast height (DBH) in just four years,^[8][9] equivalent to annual rings 2.3 inches (six centimeters) wide. Also, like other pioneer species, it is relatively short lived; even the emergent titans rarely exceeding 85 years of age.^[10] It also has noteworthy buttresses; up to 19.5 feet (six meters) high by up to forty-nine feet (15 meters) in length.^[11] On Bougainville the buttresses take a different form; higher and narrower, up to 52 feet (16 meters) in height while only 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length.^[12]

References

1. Hills, R. (2019). "Octomeles sumatrana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T33239A67810862. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T33239A67810862.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
2. Miquel FAW (1861) Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, Eerste bijvoegsel. C.G. van der Post, Amsterdam. Vol. 2: 151–336
3. TPL: Octomeles sumatrana Miq. (6 February 2018)
4. Tropicos: O. sumatrana Miq. (6 February 2018)
5. GBIF: Octomeles sumatranum Miq. (6 February 2018)
6. Schaefer, Hanno; Renner, Susanne S. (2011). "Phylogenetic relationships in the order Cucurbitales and a new classification of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)" (PDF). Taxon. 60 (1): 122–38. doi:10.1002/tax.601011.
7. Whitmore, Timothy C. (1975). Tropical Rain Forests of the Far East. Oxford, Eng.: Clarendon Press. p. 73.
8. Whitmore, Trop. Rainforests Far East op. cit. p. 86.
9. Davidson, Christopher PhD candidate (17 July 1973). "An Anatomical and Morphological Study of the Datiscaceae". Aliso. 8 (1): 51. doi:10.5642/aliso.19730801.15.
10. Whitmore, op. cit. p. 73.
11. Van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (1948–1954). "Datiscaceae". Flora Malesiana. 4 (<Not Stated>): 383.
12. Foreman, D.B. (1971). "A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Bougainville with Descriptions of Some Common Forest Trees". Papua New Guinea Dept. Of Forests Bot. Bulletin. 5: 146.