SQUAMELLARIA GRAYI

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Guillaume Chomicki and Andreas Wistuba in 2016. It is found in Fiji, known from the vicinity of Lavena on Taveuni, where it grows in forest at sea level, and from Waisali forest reserve in Central Vanua Levu, where it grows at low elevations. It is an epiphyte, and it receive quite some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to 25 centimetres in diameter, 40 centimetres long, the entire plant to 50 centimetres in height. The flowers are white. The genera name refers to the presence of fringed scales, or squamellae, which are produced within the petals in some species. The species is named in honour of the American botanist Asa Gray, who described the first Squamellaria. See the key to the species of Squamellaria on the Squamellaria guppyana page. A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.