Large tree, (14-18-)25-40 m and 60-160 cm Ø. Ultimate twigs ± zigzag, ± applanate, sometimes yellowish. Stipules c. 1 by 3 mm, attached at lower third. Leaves ovate-oblong, coriaceous, 4½-l 1 by 2-4½ cm (I = 2-2½), shallowly crenate in upper half to ± pointed apex; ridge on midrib to ¾ or almost to top; nerves 6-8 pairs, rather straight, prominent beneath, not or rather distinctly so above; reticulation above usually indistinct, beneath often weakly prominent, a veinlet running to the toothlet; petiole 4-6 mm. ♂ Flowers in 4-12 mm peduncled triads, sessile to 1 mm stalked; perianth ± truncate-campanulate, 5 by 3 mm. Stamens c. 13-15; filaments connate beyond perianth, free for 12-15 mm; anthers 4-5 mm. ♀ Flowers: cupule c. 4 mm peduncled, consisting of two thin elamellar flabs c. 2 by 3 mm; stigmas just protruding. Fruiting cupule coarse, woody, on a straight or curved, 15-25 mm long, usually rather coarse, upwards obconically thickened peduncle, 3-lamellar, 10-15 by 11-18 mm. Nut ovate, api-cally ± winged, ± ovate, 5-8 by 5-6 mm.
Mountain forests, not rarely abundant or dominant, on Mt Elimbari at 2100 m also on limestone, 1600-2600 m. Near Wabag dominant at 2400 m, near Goroka dominant in ridge forest with Lithocarpus co-dominant, at Baime Creek (Yamap, Wau) co-dominant with hoop pine, in Bena Bena Valley (Goroka) the dominant tree in ridge forest associated with Lithocarpus, on Mt Michael co-dominant with Castanopsis at 2000 m, on Mt Tafa towards Nemodi dominant as tall forest with Litho-carpus at 2100 m, at Lake Trist (Morobe) dominant tree on spurs and side-slopes at 1650 m. ♂ Fl. Febr., July, fr. June-Sept., flush June-July, Dec. (once Sept., Febr.).
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