Degeneria vitiensis explained

Degeneria vitiensis is a flowering tree found on Viti Levu in Fiji.^[1] It is known as and in Fijian, although the latter is also used for Litsea magnifolia.^[2] It is a relatively common plant and is used as timber. It has been found in upland forests on steep slopes.^[3]

The pollen-eating beetle Haptoncus takhtajani is associated with the plant.^{[4] [5] [6]} The systematics and taxonomy of Degeneriaceae were reviewed in 1991.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Degeneria vitiensis - L.W.Bailey & A.C.Sm. . . 2 April 2021.
2. Book: Gatty . Ronald . Fijian-English Dictionary (with notes on Fijian culture and natural history) . 2009 . Ronald Gatty . Suva, Fiji . 978-982-98047-1-6 . 159.
3. Web site: Magnoliales Definition, Taxonomy, Morphology, Evolution, & Facts Britannica . 2022-09-13 . . en.
4. Miller, J. M. 1988. A new species of Degeneria (Degeneriaceae) from Fiji Archipelago. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 69: 275–280
5. Miller, J. M. 1988. Puzzling new floral variation in a possible Mesozoic relict flowering plant, Fiji Islands. P. 4, In: H. J. de Blij (ed.), Letters, National Geographic Research Volume 4. Washington, D. C.: National Geographic Society, 144 pp.
6. Miller, J. M. 1989. The archaic flowering plant family Degeneriaceae: its bearing on an old enigma. National Geographic Research 5(2): 218–231.
7. Smith, A. C. 1991. Degeneriaceae Pp. 587-588 In: A. C. Smith, Flora Vitiensis Nova, Volume 5. Lawai: National Tropical Botanical Garden, 626 pp.