Gnetum gnemon L.

Gnetum gnemon L

Gnetum gnemon L., Mantissa 1:125, 1767.

Trees, leaves elliptic to ovate, shortly acuminate and shortly petiolate, chartaceous, 8–10 cm or more long; spikes axillary or terminal on lateral branch-lets, simple or somewhat paniculate, 3–8 cm long; seed subcylindric to ellipsoid, substipitate, mucronate, 1.5–2 cm long, about 1 cm wide.

Only sterile material seen from Micronesia, description of spikes and seeds from material from other areas.

The leaves of the material seen from Palau have the texture of many examples of G. gnemon from other areas, but the venation is much nearer that of G. indicum, in that the lateral veins are much more strongly arching and approach closer to the margin. When better material of the Micronesian plant is available, it may be found to be a new species or an extension of range for either G. indicum (Loureiro) Merrill or G. neglectum Blume, but it does not seem advisable to make any other disposition than to place it in the widespread G. gnemon for the present.

Gnetum gnemon is an important food plant in Indonesia, the seeds being crushed and roasted or baked and eaten.

CAROLINE ISLANDS.—Palau Islands: Aulupse’el (Aurapushekaru): Northwest end, just south of Koror, Stone & Sabina 4541 (BISH) (“fls green”). Alumezu: Hosokawa 9061 (BISH).