Podocarpus lenticularis
None have been reported.
Type: India, Assam, Mirik Busty, Indore, 1968, Bhogilal C. Shah & Co. 45 (holo, A).
This is one of several new taxa very briefly described by de Laubenfels (2015) and, thus far, not evaluated by any other authorities. The description is based on a total of 5 specimens, 2 from Assam and 3 from Laos; all of them were previously identified as Podocarpus neriifolius. They are old collections, all dating from 1929 to 1968, and as of early 2023 no newer collections appear to have used the name Podocarpus lenticularis. Unfortunately, scans are not yet available for any of the specimens. See Podocarpus neriifolius for taxonomic notes on the 17 species in the P. neriifolius complex, which includes P. lenticularis.
Trees to 25 m tall. Diameter, crown, bark, and twigs not stated. Foliage buds 4-5 mm long with erect triangular scales. Leaves on 5 mm petioles, lenticular, 70-100 × 6-10 mm (to 170 mm long in shade foliage on saplings), sharply acute, upper (adaxial) midrib sharply raised, 0.7 mm wide, lower midrib bluntly raised. Pollen cones unknown. Seed cones on 8-15 mm peduncles, subtended by 2, 2.5 mm foliola, with 10 mm receptacles composed of 2 enlarged bracts, color and texture not stated. Seed with epimatium 11 × 8 mm (de Laubenfels 2015).
De Laubenfels (2015) distinguishes Podocarpus lenticularis from P. neglectus, a similar species in the P. neriifolius complex, by its long and narrow, lenticular leaves, its relatively large seeds (11 vs. 7 mm long), its relatively large stature, and its association with high elevation environments. The similar P. insularis is an even larger tree (to 39 m tall) found in low-elevation tropical rainforests, that has shorter foliage buds (2.5-3 mm) and smaller seeds.
India: Assam; Laos, at elevations of 2000-3700 m. Habitat not stated, and only 5 collections are cited (de Laubenfels 2015). Conservation status is unknown, and is "Data Deficient" under the 2001 IUCN criteria applied by de Laubenfels (2015). Based on the list of collections, it appears that some locales are in protected areas and all are in rather inaccessible areas, so the threat level initially appears to be relatively low.
No data as of 2023.01.21.
No recorded uses as of 2023.01.21.
See the collection locales referred to by de Laubenfels (2015).
The epithet lenticularis means "like a lens" and refers to the leaves, which taper gradually from the middle to both base and apex.
Laubenfels, David J. de. 2015. New sections and species of Podocarpus based on the taxonomic status of P. neriifolius (Podocarpaceae) in tropical Asia. Novon 24(2):133-152. https://doi.org/10.3417/2012091.
Last Modified 2023-02-26
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