Pacific Plant Areas — extra volume

Taxonomy and distribution: The distribution suggests a tropical origin in West Malesia; however, first appearances are often misleading in this specimen. Closer examination reveals a clustering of relatives in Holland (Backer, 1936), suggesting that this is an aberrant specimen of a large family almost confined to Northwest Europe. This is further supported by the fact that most tropical localities are montane (Leuser, Gede, Papandajan, Idjen, etc.) pointing to a preference for temperate climatic conditions. A peculiarity indicating relictual features is a preponderance of insular localities. Conservative traits can best be perpetuated in isolation. In the secondary Malesian centre the absence of localities in Borneo and New Guinea is striking and is certainly not due to undercollecting. See the Green Bible for full details. Localities in Africa, America and Australia are based on ephemeral events. Habit: Relatively small, c. 1.70 m, but remarkably solid and well preserved despite respectable age. Mostly erect and on the move, prostrate only during about seven hours per day. Formally dressed, but lately also observed in casual dress in summer. Rough outer coat disguises sensitive interior.