茜草科 qian cao ke
Chen Tao (陈涛)[1], Zhu Hua (__)[2];
Trees, shrubs, annual or perennial herbs, vines, or lianas, terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic, sometimes armed with straight or curved spines; raphides present or absent. Stems tetragonal when young, with cork cambium/irregular secondary thickening growth; nodes unilacunar, seldomly trilacunar. Leaves simple, stipulate, opposite or sometimes pseudoverticilate, petiolate to sessile; equal or occasionally unequal, connate (Ixora) or not connate; blade margin entire, or rarely serrate, papery or leathery, pinnately veined or 1-veined; with hairs multicellular (septate) or unicellular (not septate), or glabrous, domatia present or absent; Stipules persistent or caducous, interpetiolar or rarely intrapetiolar, free or connate at degrees, with colleters inside. Inflorescences in various compound cymes, thyrsiform, cymose, compound-cymose, or occasionally heads, racemes, spicate, corymbs, or with flowers solitary, terminal or axillary, pedunculate to sessile, bracteate or ebracteate. Flowers usually hermaphroditic, in this case homostylous or often distylous, or dioecious or polygamous, actinomorphic or rarely zygomorphic, sessile to pedicellate, sometimes hypanthia of individual flowers in a fused inflorescence (Morinda). Calyx gamosepalous and fused in hypanthium portion to inferior ovary, limb cupular, tubular, or occasionally obsolete, truncate to (2–)4 or 5(–9)-lobed or sometimes spathaceous (i.e., split along one side!), lobes often small, slightly to markedly unequal, one sometimes enlarged into a petaloid calycophyll (Mussaenda). Corolla gamopetalous, actinomorphic, rarely zygomorphic or occasionally bilabiate, funnelform, salverform, tubular, campanulate, or infrequently rotate or urceolate, small to large and showy, white, yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, or pale green or with colors in various combinations, inside glabrous or pubescent, lobes (3 or)4 or 5(or 10), in bud imbricate, valvate, convolute (i.e., contorted), sometimes with rounded to horn-like thickening or protuberances at or below abaxial apex. Stamens adnate to corolla, usually isomerous and alternate with corolla lobes, occasionally 2, inserted variously in corolla throat, corolla tube, or near corolla base and appearing free (Galium). Anthers included or exserted, free, introrse, dorsifixed to basifixed, dehiscing by lateral slits, with connective sometimes shortly prolonged at apex and/or base. Pollen of various types, 3- or 4-porate, 3- or 4(or 5)-colpate (usual type), 5–25-colpate with disk-shaped or ellipsoidal grains, tetrahedral tetrads of 3- or 4-porate grains, cylindrical grains with 2 pores, or inaperturate; 2-celled. Ovary inferior, rarely superior or semi-inferior (Tsiangia, Gaertnera), (1 or)2(–10)-loculed, crowned by a fleshy, pulvinate, hemispheric, or conic disk, this annular or sometimes 2-parted or lobulate; ovules 1 or 2 to numerous per locule, on basal, axile, apical, or parietal placentas; style terminal, short or elongated, simple, 2- to 10-lobed, or rarely 2-parted to base (Galium), stigmatic portion capitate, filiform, linear, or spatulate. Fruit capsular with dehiscence loculicidal, septicidal, circumscissile, or by an apical lid (e.g., Pseudopyxis), or fleshy and baccate or drupaceous, or schizocarpous with mericarps indehiscent (Richardia), or sometimes dehiscing into two halves (Galium), inferior or sometimes semi-inferior as upper portion of fruit elongating into a beak (Oldenlandia); pyrenes when present papery to hard, 1–10-loculed. Seeds 1 to numerous, small to large, sometimes variously winged or with appendages, smooth to foveolate, tuberculate, or striate. Endosperm oily, fleshy, or corneous, entire or ruminate, or rarely absent (Guettarda, etc.). X=6–17, most commonly 11, less frequently 9 or 12.
A cosmopolitan family; ca. 637 genera and 10800 species; ca. 100 genera and ca. 660 species in China (Robbrecht, 1988 & 1993; Lo, 1999; Chen, 1999).
This is one of the largest families of flowering plants, and distributed in nearly all parts of the earth though it is most abundant in the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Several characters are unique and important in the taxonomy of the family. Groups of Rubiaceae characteristically either have or lack raphides, which is considered to be an taxonomicaly informative character. Raphides are tiny, needle-shaped crystals that are produced in groups inside some cells called idioblasts which are often visible with a hand lens on dried specimens, particularly in soft tissues such as petals, the calyx hypanthium and the young leaves at the apex of the stem. Their function is apparently to protect the plant from herbivores. Leaf domatia are common in Rubiaceae, which are sometimes taxonomically informative at least at the species level. These domatia occationally take the form of foveolate or crypts, but usually are formed by small groups or tufts of pubescence, which is sometimes different in form of pubescence found on other parts of the plant. They provide protection for tiny mites that live on the leaves, and help protect the plant from herbivores and fungi by eating insect eggs, small insects, and spores. Many species of Rubiaceae are remarkable for their heterostylous flowers. This condition is found in several other families, most of which have three floral forms and the third form has the stigma and anthers borne at the same level, but heterostyly is most common in Rubiaceae. In general tristyly has not been documented for Rubiaceae, although it is noted here for Chassalia curviflora in China. However, the subdivision above generic level of Rubiaceae have been recently updated by the phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular data (Bremer, B. 1995; Bremer, B. & J.F. Manen, 2000; Bucklund, M. 2005).
Important economic members of Rubiaceae are coffee (Coffea), quinine (Cinchona), ipecac (Cephaelis), madder (Rubia), black gambir and rhyncophylline (Uncaria), and various horticultural ornamentals, markedly Gardenia, Himellia, Ixora, Mussaenda, and Pentas. Many species are used for various medicinal purposes.
References
Robbrecht E. (1988), Tropical woody Rubiaceae. Opera Bot. Belg. 1.
Robbrecht E., ed. (1993), Supplement to the 1988 outline of the classification of the Rubiaceae. Index to genera. In Advances in Rubiaceae macrosystematics. Opera Bot. Belg. 6: 173-196.
Lo S.H. , ed. 1999. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. 71(1): 1-420. Science press.
Chen W.C., ed. 1999. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. 71(2): 1-366. Science press.
Bremer B., K. Anderson & D. Olsson. 1995. Subfamilial and Tribal Relationships in the Rubiaceae Based on rbcL Sequence Data. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 82(3): 383-397.
Bremer B. & J. –F. Manen. 2000. Phylogeny and classificationof the subfamily Rubioideae (Rubiaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 225. 43-72.
Bucklund M. 2005. Phylogenetic Studies in the Gentianales – Approaches at Different Taxonomic Levels. 24-29. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, Uppsala.
Key to genera
1a. Flowers numerous, with long-exserted styles, forming dense, globose heads; apex of peduncles inflated into globose receptacles.
2a. Leaves in whorl of 3, rarely concurrently opposite; ovary with 1 ovule per locule; fruit with 1 seed per locule 35. Cephalanthus
2b. Leaves opposite; ovary with numerous ovules per locule; fruit with many seeds per locule.
3a. Placenta fleshy, black or brown, seeds imbricate upward, endocarp osseous, at first dehiscent septicidally from apex to base, then loculicidally dehiscent.
4a. Inermous trees; flowers sessile; capsule with thin epicarp, septicidally dehiscent, seeds shortly winged at both ends, wing shallowly bifid or slightly concave below 25. Mitragyna
4b. Woody lianas; stems and branches with woody hooked thorns at axils; flowers subsessile or pedicellate; capsule with thick epicarp, loculicidally dehiscent, seeds long winged at both ends, wing deeply bifid 26 Uncaria
3b. Placenta, arrangement of seeds, and dehiscence of endocarp not as above.
5a. Placenta “Y” or “-|” formed, on upper 1/3 of septum or at middle of septum; stigma fusiform.
6a. Terminal vegetative bud conical; stipules obvolute; calyx tubes free from each other; capsules free 28. Neolamarckia
6b. Terminal vegetative bud flat; stipules appressed to branch, not obvolute; calyx tubes fused into a syncarp or pseudo-syncarp 27. Nauclea
5b. Placenta verruculose, obovate, on upper 1/3 of ovary septum; stigma globose to obovoid-clavate.
7a. Heads conspicuously axillary, rarely concurrently terminal 34. Haldina
7b. Heads conspicuously terminal.
8a. Calyx lobes caducous 29. Neonauclea
8b. Calyx lobes persistent on axis of capsule.
9a. Terminal vegetative bud inconspicuous, loosely wrapped in stipules; stipules deeply 2-lobed to 2/3 of length; heads solitary, rarely several (to 7) in cymose panicle 33. Adina
9b. Terminal vegetative bud conspicuous, pyramidal or conical; stipules entire or sometimes slightly concave; Heads usually more than 7, arranged in various forms.
10a. Calyx lobes short, obtuse, densely villous; corolla tube densely pubescent 31. Sinoadina
10b. Calyx lobes triangular or elliptic-oblong, glabrous; corolla tube glabrous.
11a. Heads numerous, usually more than 9; lateral rachis branched, with several heads; stipules triangular; stigma clavate or globose; seeds wingless 30. Metadina
11b. Heads usually 1, sometimes 3, without lateral rachis; stipules linear-oblong or subulate; stigma obovoid; seeds winged 32. Petusadina
1b. Inflorescence not as above, apex of peduncle not inflated into receptacle.
12a. Corolla lobes valvate in bud.
13a. Seeds winged.
14a. Inflorescence with one to several white enlarged foliaceous bracts.
15a. Inflorescence terminal, cymose, usually with several white foliaceous bracts; stipules persistent; corolla lobes valvate 20. Neohymenopogon
15b. Inflorescence axillary, racemose, with only one white foliaceous bract at upper part of peduncle; stipules caducous; corolla lobes imbricate 19. Hymenodictyon
14b. Inflorescence with bracts small, not white and foliaceous.
16a. Flowers with calyx lobe enlarged, white, foliaceous, stipitate; stipules persistent; fruit subglobose 21. Dunnia
16b. Flowers with normal calyx lobes not enlarged and foliaceous; stipules caducous; fruit conical, cylindrical, or ovoid 18. Cinchona
13b. Seeds not winged.
17a. Ovary with ovules 2 to numerous per locule; fruit usually with 2 to numerous seeds per locule.
18a. Fruit dehiscent at maturity.
19a. Fruit dehiscent by a lid/operculum.
20a. Corolla rotate 12. Argostemma
20b. Corolla tubular or funnelform.
21a. Inflorescences terminal; corolla infundibular; stamens inserted at different levels in corolla tube 14. Leptomischus
21b. Inflorescences axillary; corolla tubular; stamens inserted basally in corolla tube 13. Mouretia
19b. Fruit dehiscent longitudinally, septicidally, or loculicidally into 2–5 segments.
23a. Flowers 4-merous.
24a. Seeds angulate/ridged; corolla tube turbinate; flowers 2–5-merous 5. Hedyotis
24b. Seeds peltate, navicular, or plano-convex, not angulate/ridged; corolla tube compressed; flowers 4-merous 6. Neanotis
23b. Flowers 5(or 6)-merous.
25a. Capsule mitral or obcordate; disk 2-parted 8.Ophiorrhiza
25b. Capsule not as above in shape; disk entire or inconspicuously 4- or 5-lobed.
26a. Some flowers with a calyx lobe enlarged into foliaceous white stipitate calophyll 38. Schizomussaenda
26b. Flowers with normal calyx lobes, not enlarged and foliaceous.
27a. Calyx lobes conspicuously unequal in size 9. Pentas
27b. Calyx lobes equal in size.
28a. Fruit septicidally and loculicidally dehiscent into 4 segments; inflorescence terminal, rarely concurrently axillary; herb or subshrub 7. Spiradiclis
28b. Fruit septicidally dehiscent into 2 segments; inflorescences axillary; subshrub, small tree, or tree 4. Xanthophytum
18b. Fruit indehiscent at maturity.
29a. Fruit dry, capsular.
30a. Flowers 4-merous 5. Hedyotis
30b. Flowers 5-merous.
31a. Herbs creeping; stems prostrate, branched; leaves shorter than 1 cm, petiole to 4 mm; flowers solitary at branchlet axes?; corolla to 10 cm; tuberous roots absent 3. Dentella
31b. Herbs small, erect; stems simple; petiole to 30 mm; flowers in terminal racemes; corolla to 2 cm; tuberous roots globose 2. Clarkella
29b. Fruit fleshy, berry or baccate, or drupaceous.
32a. Inflorescences with some flowers with one or rarely all calyx lobes enlarged into foliaceous, stipitate, white calophylls 37. Mussaenda
32b. Flowers with normal calyx, not enlarged into calophyll.
33a. Anthers conglutinate into a tube surrounding clavate style 36. Acranthera
33b. Anthers free; style bare/exposed.
34a. Ovary and fruit 4- or 5-loculed; seeds globose 42. Urophyllum
34b. Ovary 2-loculed; fruit 2-loculed or with 2 pyrenes; seeds angulate.
35a. Heads with involucre, terminal 39. Keenania
35b. Inflorescences without involucre.
36a. Bark soft, spongy; inflorescences usually axillary.
37a. Fruit 2-loculed, baccate; inflorescences usually terminal, discrete; sinus between calyx lobes without gland; flowers 4–6-merous; calyx tube globose or turbinate 41. Mycetia
37b. Fruit with 2 pyrenes, pruniform; inflorescences axillary or sometimes terminal, usually compact; calyx sinus without gland; flowers 5-merous; calyx tube elliptic, ovate, or orbicular 40. Myrioneuron
36b. Bark dense, not spongy.
38a. Inflorescences terminal; herb, subshrub, or shrub 1. Lerchea
38b. Inflorescences axillary; subshrub or tree 4. Xanthophytum
17b. Ovary with 1 ovule per locule; fruit with 1 seed per locule.
39a. Fruit a syncarp; calyx tubes conglutinate or connate.
40a. Shrubs climbing or erect; flowers many in a head; calyx tubes conglutinate 89. Morinda
40b. Herbs; 2 flowers collateral on peduncle; calyx tubes connate to each other 83. Mitchella
39b. Fruit not syncarpous; calyx tubes free.
41a. Calyx limb truncate or subtruncate.
42a. Shrubs erect or climbing.
43a. Climbing shrubs; flowers bisexual 86. Caelospermum
43b. Erect shrubs; flowers polygamous or unisexual, occasionally bisexual.
44a. Corolla tube glabrous at throat, cylindrical; calyx tube cupular 88. Prismatomeris
44b. Corolla tube with a ring of hairs at throat, globose, infundibular, or urceolate; calyx tube globose or obconical 62. Canthium
42b. Herbs erect, creeping, or climbing.
42ba. Calyx limb distinct, 6-dentate Sherardia (?in China)
42bb. Calyx limb indistinct.
45a. Style far exserted from corolla 94. Phuopsis
45b. Style included or slightly exserted.
45ba. Flowers with bracts and paired bracteoles decussate with bracts Crucianella (?in China)
45bb. Flowers with bracts, rarely isolated/unpaired bracteoles.
46a. Fruit inflated, bladdery; flowers 4-merous 98. Microphysa
46b. Fruit neither inflated nor bladdery.
47a. Corolla funnelform, tubular, or salverform.
48a. Flowers solitary, terminal; fruit a drupe 85. Nertera
48b. Flowers many in inflorescence; fruit a pyrene 95. Asperula
47b. Corolla rotate, occasionally campanulate or shortly funnelform; leaves in whorls, rarely opposite.
49a. Fruit fleshy, usually glabrous; flowers 5-merous 97. Rubia
49b. Fruit dry, usually hairy; flowers 4-merous.
49ba. Stems and branches often 4-angled, glabrous, hairy, or aculeolate; fruit a nutlet; corolla campanulate, infundibular, or rotate 96. Galium
49bb. Stems and branches terete, glabrous; fruit a pyrene; corolla tubular 101. Leptunis
41b. Calyx limb lobes conspicuous, usually 4 or 5, sometimes 2 or 6.
50a. Herbs.
51a. Ovary 4- or 5-loculed; fruit dehiscent by a lid 81. Pseudopyxis
51b. Ovary 2-loculed, rarely 3-loculed; fruit 2-loculed, occasionally 1- or 3-loculed.
52a. Flowers unisexual; herbs procumbent/creeping.
53a. Flowers terminal; calyx limb lobes 4; stipules entire; leaf petiole to 50 mm, blade apex rounded, base cordate 72. Geophila
53b. Flowers axillary; calyx limb lobes 2; stipules fimbriate at upper part; leaf petiole to 3 mm, blade apex acute, base cuneate 91. Diodia
52b. Flowers many in fascicles or cymes; stipules divided at upper part; herbs erect or suberect.
54a. Inflorescences axillary.
55a. Fruit circumscissile; calyx lobes 2 larger and 2 smaller; stipules lobed; herb 93. Mitracarpus
55b. Fruit dehiscent apically or not dehiscent; calyx lobes equal in size; stipules fimbriate; herb or subshrub 92. Spermacoce (Borreria)
54b. Inflorescences terminal.
56a. Calyx limb caducous; ovary and fruit 3-loculed; flowers 6-merous 90. Richardia
56b. Calyx persistent; ovary and fruit 2-loculed.
57a. Flowers 5-merous; fruit with hooked hairs 82. Kelloggia
57b. Flowers 4-merous.
58a. Stipules connate with petioles into a sheath; calyx tube ovate 60. Knoxia
58b. Stipules separate from petiole; calyx tube turbinate 5. Hedyotis
50b. Trees, shrubs, or lianas/vines.
59a. Vines; branches and leaves foetid when bruised 78. Paederia
59b. Trees or erect shrubs.
60a. Flowers or inflorescences axillary; fruit a drupe.
61a. Pyrenes orange-segment-like; stipules usually entire; branches and leaves foetid when bruised 75. Lasianthus
61b. Pyrenes subglobose to oblong.
62a. Stigma capitate, entire or shallowly lobed; stipules entire, aristate at apex; branches and leaves not foetid when bruised 61. Meyna
62b. Stigma conspicuously 2--4-lobed.
63a. Stipules 3-lobed or entire at apex; leaves opposite and in whorls of 3; branches and leaves foetid when bruised; branches with spines; corolla lobes induplicate; calyx tube obconical 74. Saprosma
63b. Stipule with 3 rigid mucros at apex; leaves opposite; branches and leaves not foetid when bruised; branches with or without spines; corolla lobes valvate; calyx tube campanulate or cupular 87. Damnacanthus
60b. Inflorescences terminal, rarely concurrently axillary.
64a. Inflorescence a head, with involucre in many whorls, imbricate, basal whorl connate and cupular 73. Cephaelis
64b. Inflorescence not a head, if densely collected in head then without involucre in whorls.
65a. Fruit a capsule.
66a. Fruit ellipsoid, 1-loculed, 5-dehiscent at apex; calyx tube ovate 79. Spermadictyon
66b. Fruit cylindrical or ovoid, 5-loculed, 5-dehiscent to base; calyx tube obconical 80. Leptodermis
65b. Fruit a drupe.
67a. Branches and leaves foetid when bruised; stipules with several setae at apex; shrubs multibranched 84. Serissa
67b. Branches and leaves not foetid when bruised; stipules entire or 2-lobed.
68a. Corolla tube straight; pyrenes usually with straight ridges dorsally; stipules intrapetiolar; shrub to tree 70. Psychotria
68b. Corolla tube conspicuously curved; pyrenes without ridges; stipules interpetiolar; subshrub 71. Chasalia
12b. Corolla lobes convolute or imbricate in bud.
69a. Corolla lobes convolute forming buds.
70a. Ovary with 2 to numerous ovules per locule.
71a. Ovary 1-loculed, with parietal placenta.
72a. Placenta not fleshy and thick, ovules and seeds bare; stipules interpetiolar, free 44. Ceriscoides
72b. Ovules and seeds embeded in fleshy and thick placenta; stipules intrapetiolar, usually connate at base.
72ba. Leaves equal in a pair; seeds many; calyx tube obconical or ovate 43. Gardenia
72bb. Leaves sometimes unequal in last second pair; seeds 2–4; calyx tube campanulate 103. Rubovietnamia
71b. Ovary 2-loculed, without parietal placenta.
73a. Shrubs or trees with spines.
74a. Corolla campanulate 45. Catunaregam
74b. Corolla salverform.
75a. Axillary bud 1, developing into spine or branch; flowers not solitary; inflorescences sometimes leaf opposed 47. Oxyceros
75b. Axillary buds 2, superimposed, upper one developing into spine, lower one developing into branch; flowers sometimes solitary, or inflorescences axillary or terminal but not leaf opposed 46. Fagerlindia
73b. Shrubs trees or woody vines without spines/inermous.
76a. Ovules and seeds embedded in fleshy placenta.
77a. Ovary with numerous (more than 4) ovules.
77aa. Inflorescences axillary or opposite with leaves; flowers small, with corolla lobes shorter than 1 cm; fruit less than 1 cm in diam.; anthers exserted 48. Aidia
77ab. Inflorescences terminal; flowers large, with corolla lobes longer than 2.5 cm; fruit more than 4 cm in diam.; anthers included 99. Fosbergia
77b. Ovary with 2 ovules per locule.
78a. Stigma entire; inflorescences terminal or axillary near apices of branches; stipules lanceolate; leaf blade leathery 49. Tarennoidea
78b. Stigma 2-lobed; inflorescences terminal on lateral short branches or on nodes of old branches; stipules triangular; leaf blade membranous, papery, or thinly leathery 50. Alleizettella
76b. Ovules and seeds bare, not embedded in fleshy placenta.
79a. Flowers solitary and terminal on axillary abbreviated short branches. Short branches with many dense nodes with tiny bracteiform leaves 51. Himalrandia
79b. Flowers in terminal or axillary inflorescences. Abbreviated short branches absent.
80a. Flowers unisexual, dioecious.
81a. Inflorescences opposite with leaves; flowers 5-merous; leaves opposite; corolla cylindrical, infundibular, or tubular 52. Brachytome
81b. Inflorescence axillary; flowers 4-merous; leaves decussate; corolla salverform 53. Diplospora
80b. Flowers bisexual; inflorescences terminal or axillary.
82a. Calyx limb truncate or subtrucate; drupe with 8--10 longitudinal grooves or ridges; ovary with 2 ovules per locule, 1 erect, 1 pendulous 54. Scyphiphora
82b. Calyx limb 4- or 5-lobed; fruit without conspicuous longitudinal grooves and ridges; ovary with ovules usually more than 2 per locule, with insertion different from above.
83a. Inflorescences terminal.
84a. Shrubs dwarf, main stem shorter than 2 cm or almost without stem; stipules reflexed at upper part; leaves fasciculate; corolla lobes convolute 17. Guihaiothamnus
84b. Shrubs or small trees, with conspicuous main stem, more than 50 cm tall; stipules not reflexed; leaves opposite; corolla lobes contorted 55. Tarenna
83b. Inflorescences axillary.
85a. Flowers sessile, several to numerous fascicled into dense cymes; anthers dorsifixed, hairy at base 57. Hyptianthera
85b. Flowers pedicellate, several in axillary sparse cymes; anthers glabrous.
85ba. Corolla salverform, outside velvety to villous hairy, inside tube without purple markings, shorter than 2 cm; stipules lanceolate; leaf lateral veins 8–12 pairs; flowers clustered 56. Porterandia
85bb. Corolla infundibular or campanulate, glabrous to scarcely hairy, inside tube with purple speckles, longer than 3 cm; stipules ovate or triangular; leaf lateral veins 5 or 6 pairs; flowers solitary 102. Rothmannia
70b. Ovary with 1 ovule per locule; fruit with 1 seed per locule or pyrene.
86a. Seeds embedded in fleshy and plump endosperm.
87a. Stigmas entire; inflorescences terminal or axillary near apices of branches; stipules lanceolate; leaf blade leathery 49. Tarennoidea
87b. Stigmas 2-lobed; inflorescences terminal on lateral short branches or on nodes of old branches; stipules triangular; leaf blade membranous to thinly leathery 50. Alleizettella
86b. Seeds bare, not embedded in fleshy endosperm.
88a. Leaves shorter than 1 cm; shrubs multi-branched, seldomly to 0.5 m tall 59. Trailiaedoxa
88b. Leaves usually longer than 5 cm; shrubs or trees usually higher than 1 m tall.
89a. Inflorescence opposite to leaves 69. Duperrea
89b. Inflorescenes terminal or axillary.
90a. Bractlets connate into cupular calycle; fruit baccate drupe 66. Coffea
90b. Bractlets free, not connate into cupular calycle.
91a. Flowers 5-merous 55. Tarenna
91b. Flowers 4-merous.
92a. Styles long exserted with exserted portion far exceeding corolla lobe; stipules intrapetiolar, fused throughout; calyx tube campanulate or turbinate 67. Pavetta
92b. Styles included or slightly exserted with exserted portion not exceeding corolla lobe; stipules interpetiolar, fused at base; calyx tube ovate 68. Ixora
69b. Corolla lobes imbricate in bud.
93a. Ovary epigynous/superior 77. Tsiangia
93b. Ovary inferior.
94a. Woody vines; ovary 2-loculed, with numerous ovules per locule; fruit a capsule; seeds with fimbriate wing at margin 22. Coptosapelta
94b. Trees, erect shrubs, or herbs.
95a. Stamens 2; leaf blade serrate at margin; capsule pyramidal see Carlemanniaceae
95b. Stamens 4 or 5; leaf blade entire; fruit not pyramidal.
96a. Inflorescences with some flowers with one calyx lobe enlarged into a white foliaceous calophyll; seeds numerous, winged; trees deciduous 24. Emmenopterys
96b. Inflorescences with flowers with normal calyx lobes, never enlarged into calophylls; evergreen trees or shrubs, sometimes herbs.
97a. Ovary with numerous ovules per locule; capsule with numerous seeds per locule; inflorescences terminal.
98a. Seeds winged 23. Luculia
98b. Seeds not winged.
99a. Corolla tube with a callus ring at throat 15. Rondeletia
99b. Corolla tube without a callus ring at throat.
100a. Ovary and fruit 2-loculed, fruit globose; inflorescence a paniculiform cyme; stipules triangular 16. Wendlandia
100b. Ovary and fruit 5-loculed, fruit ovoid; inflorescence with last order of branches scorpioid; stipules subulate 58. Hamelia
97b. Ovary with 1 ovule per locule; drupe with one seed per locule; flowers and inflorescences axillary.
101a. Flowers bisexual.
102a. Drupes 5- or 6-celled, perforated at apex of locules, with funicle covered the pore; flowers on one side of branches of last order of inflorescences, scorpioid; leaves petiolate, blade to 20 cm; small tree 63. Guettarda
102b. Drupes 4-loculed, not perforated at apex of locules; flowers 2, terminal on peduncles; leaves sessile or subsessile, blade to 3 cm; subshrub or shrub 76. Litosanthes (included in Lasianthus)
101b. Flowers unisexual or polygamous.
103a. Flowers 4-merous, bisexual; ovary 4- or 5-loculed, sometimes concurrently 2- or 3-loculed; fruit 2--5-seeded; calyx lobes unequal, shrub or small tree; anthers included 64. Antirhea
103b. Flowers 5-merous, unisexual or polygamous; ovary multi-loculed; fruit with numerous tiny seeds; calyx lobes equal in size; tree; anthers exserted 65. Timonius
多轮草属 duo lun cao shu
Erect shrublets or perennial herbs; stems simple, not or few-branched, upper part of stem and branchlets often scabrous. Raphides present. Leaves often only at upper nodes, opposite, petiolate; midrib and lateral veins distinct, prominent on lower surface, transverse veinlets distinct or obscure; stipules interpetiolar, more or less foliaceous, with colleters at base adaxially. Inflorescence terminal or pseudo-axillary, consisting of cymes, either branched and corymbiform, or with a elongated main axis, scorpioid, spike- or head-like; bracts minute to foliaceous. Flowers 5-merous, bisexual, protandrous, heterostylouos. Calyx tubes globose or obconical, limb with or without tube at base; lobes triangular or rounded, persistent in fruit, with colleters at base adaxially. Corolla tabulate or funnelform, with a ring of dense hairs inside; lobes often cucullate, more or less recurved, valvate in bud. Stamens exserted or included, inserted above or slightly below the middle of corolla tube; filaments slightly shorter or slightly longer than anthers; anthers introrse, longitudinally dehiscent (?opening by slit?), sometimes one end or both ends with tufted hairs.Ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, inserted on peltate placenta in the middle of septum; style filiform, exserted or included; stigma thick and scabrous, 2-lobed. Fruit fleshy, endocarp hard. Seeds many, brown, angled/angular, minute.
About 10 species in southeast Asia. 2 species in China.
1a. Inflorescence with branches scorpioid; leaves with lateral veins 12--18 pairs; stipules caducous, unseen 1. L. micrantha
1b. Inflorescence with branches not scorpioid; leaves with lateral veins 20--25 pairs; stipules persistent, foliaceous, obovate, 2.5--3 cm long 2. L. sinica
1. Lerchea micrantha (Drake) Lo in in Bull. Bot. Res. 18(3): 275. 1998.
多轮草 duo lun cao
Ophiorrhiza micrantha Drake in Morot, Journ. de Bot. 9: 214. 1895; Notodontia micrantha (Drake) Pierre ex Pitard; Spiradiclis micrantha (Drake) Lo; Polyura geminata auct. non Hook. f.: C. Y. Wu et W. T. Wang
Herbs slightly fleshy; stems procumbent and rooting on nodes at lower part. Leaves opposite; petioles depressed, densely pubescent; leaf blade elliptic, ovate elliptic ot lanceolate oblong, 5--18 × 2.5--8 cm, membranous, base cuneate to slightly rounded, often more or less decurrent to petiole, apex acuminate or slightly obtuse; lateral veins 12-- 18 pairs, slendar, slightly arcuate ascending, joining and forming tenuous/slendar intramarginal vein, visible on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface, depressed, with 2 striate very distinct when dry, pubescent; stipules caducous. Inlorescence terminal, ferruginous tomentose, 10--18cm long, many-branched, branches usual1y 1--2(--5) cm long, arcuate and recurved, a scorpioid cyme；bracts minute or absent. Flowers small, slightly compact, heterostylous. Calyx 0.5--0.7 mm long; indistinctly 5-ribbed. Corolla white, shortly tabulate; tube swollen at lower part, , with a ring of hairs in throat; lobes slightly acute. Stamens 5; filaments short or thin and long. Ovary 2-celled; style exserted or only extending to the middle of corolla tube; stigma capitate, 2-lobed. Fruits subglobose, ca. 1.5 mm in diameter. Seeds many, minute, angular.
Shady and wet stream sides under forests. Yunan (Hekou) [N Vietnam].
2. Lerchea sinica (Lo) Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 18(3):275. 1998.
华多轮草 hua duo lun cao
Xanthophytum sinicum Lo in Guihaia 11(2): 97. 1991.
Shruby herbs, to 1 m tall, turning black when dry; branches slightly stout, more or less fleshy. Petioles 3--6 cm, slightly flattened, longitudinally striate when dry; leaf blade papery, narrowly obovate, 18--27 × 7--10 cm, glabrous on both surface or pilose along midrib on lower surface, base cuneate, apex acute or abruptly acute, midrib depressed on lower surface; lateral veins 20--25 pairs, arcuate ascending, distinct on upper surface, prominent on lower surface; stipules foliaceous, obovate, 2.5--3 cm long, 1--1.5 cm wide at upper part, 0.6--0.8 cm wide at base, obtuse at apex, parallelinerved. Inflorescence terminal, paniculiform, lax, ca. 15 cm, multicellular villose; bracts small; pedicels short. Calyx tubes multicellular villose, subturbinate globose, ca. 2 mm high, ca. 3 mm wide; lobes 5, triangular, ca. 3.5 mm, 0.8 mm wide at base. Corolla yellowish green, black when dry, tabulate, 4.5--5 mm, glabrous outside; lobes 5, triangular ovate, ca. 1.5 mm. Stamens 5, inserted in throat; filaments very short; anthers oblong, 0.7 mm long, included. Ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell; style stout, ca. 5 mm; stigma capitate, 2-lobed, exserted. Fl. Aug.
Dense forests. Yunnan (Hekou).
岩上珠属 yan shang zhu shu
Dwarf erect herbs, with tuberoid. Leaves opposite, petiolate; stipules small or not distinct. Cymes terminal, often umbeliform; peduncles long or short, with bracts at tip. Flowers bisexual. Calyx tube obconical, limbs dilated/expanded, 5--7-lobed; Corolla tube thin and long, tubular funnelform, glabrous in throat, limbs 5-lobed; lobes valvate. Stamens 5, inserted at base of corolla tube; filaments short; anthers linear oblong. Ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous/many, placenta inserted slightly below middle of axile; style short; stigma bifid, hairy. Fruit dry, indehiscent, obconical, 5--7-angled, crowned with dilated persisten calyx limb. Seeds numerous, minute, subellipsoid, black papillose/granulate?.
1 species in N India, N Myanmar, Thailand, and SW to S China.
1. Clarkella nana (Endgew.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 3:46. 1880.
岩上珠 yan shang zhu
Ophiorrhiza nana Endgew. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 20: 60. 1846; Ophiorrhiza pellucida Lévl.; Clarkella sianensis Craib
Dwarf herbs, 3-7 cm or slightly taller; tuberoid oblong, 1--1.5 cm long, covered with coarse/scabrous coat/bark; stems unbranched, subterete, glabrous or mealy soft hairy. Leaves opposite, in unequal opposite pairs /heterophllus; petiolate 0.5--1(--3) cm; blade membranous or thinly papery, ovate to broadly ovate, sometimes oblique, 1-6 cm or slightly longer, pair of leaves close to inflorescence small and subsessile, base slightly cordate or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex acute, adaxially and abaxially glabrous or mealy soft hairy, lateral veins 4--8 pairs, slendar. Inflorescence with peduncles usually shorter than 1 cm, 3--10-flowered; bracts ovate or oblong, usually shorter than 5 mm. Calyx ca. 3.5 mm; lobes triangular or long tiangular, 3 long, 2 short, shorter than calyx tube. Corolla white, soft hairy, 1.3--1.6 cm long. Fruit 7--8 mm long.
On wet rocks. Yunan, C Guizhou, N Guangxi (Nandan), N Guangdong (Liannan) [N India, N. Myanmar, Thailand].
小牙草属 xiao ya cao shu
Annual or perennial herbs; stems prostrate, much branched. Leaves small, opposite, sessile or shortly petiolate; stipules scarious, adnate at base of petioles. Flowers small, solitary, axillary or in forks of branchlets, bisexual, often subsessile; bracts absent. Calyx tube subglobose, limb tubulate, apex 5-lobed (parted?), persistent. Corolla funnelform; tube hairy (in throat?) inside, limb shorter than tube, 5-lobed; lobes 2- or 3-dentat at margin, valvate in bud. Stamens 5, inserted at middle of corolla tube; filaments short; anthers linear, dorsifixed. Disc small, annular. Ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, inserted on semiglobose placenta; style short; stigmas 2, filiform. Fruit a dry, indehiscent coccus?, subglobose. Seeds numerous, small, angular; testa reticulate? or granulate; endosperm fleshy; embryo minute, 2-parted.
About 10 species in SE Asia to Oceania, Southern N America. 1 species in China.
1. Dentella repens (L.) J. R. Forst. & G. Forst., Char. Gen. 26. 1776.
小牙草 xiao ya cao
Oldenlandia repens L., Mant. P1. 40. 1767; Dentella matsudai Hayata; D. repens (Linn.) J. R. et G. Forst. var. grandis Pierre ex Pitard.
Dwarf herbs, creeping, much branched; stems and branches slightly fleshy, with adventitious roots at nodes. Leaves with petioles short or subsessile (2-4 mm long, FOTW?); blade small, (slightly fleshy?), oblong-lanceolate, obovate to spatulate, 4--7(--10?) × (1--)2(--4?) mm, (base cuneate, margin entire, apex acute?), usually sparsely hirsute or sometimes glabrous abaxially and along margins, lateral veins indistinct; (stipules triangular, entire)?. Flowers usually solitary in forks of branchlets, rarely axillary; pedicels short or subsessile (1--2 mm long?). Calyx tube 1--1.5 mm in diameter, densely multicellular transparent vollose, limb with lobes long triangular. Corolla (yellowish) white, 3--8 mm long, (6-12 mm long, pubescent in throat. Stamens included; filaments ca. 0.5 mm long. Style 2-6 mm long, FOTW?). Fruit compressed globose, 3--5 mm wide, densely multicellular transparent vollose. Fl. winter, fr. summer.
Wet sites in fields. Taiwan, Hainan, Guangdong, Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [SE Asia to Oceania, America (Maryland), Mexico].
The treatment for this species in Flora of Taiwan seems to be with large
岩黄树属 yan huan shu shu
Small trees or subshrubs, unbranched or few-branched; young stems and branches with golden yellow to ferruginous hairs. Raphides present. Leaves often only at upper nodes, opposite, occasionally pseudo-alternate (X. capitellatum), petiolate; blade herbaceous or papery, entire, adaxially often hairy, abaxially at least hairy along veins; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, lanceolate to ovate, sometimes foliaceous, entire, rarely bifid, adaxialy often with colleters at base. Inflorescences axillary, consisting of small cymes or fascicles, in panicles or heads; peduncles short to very long, sometimes sessile or subsessile; bracts minute to foliaceous. Flowers 5-merous, bisexual, protandrous, heterostylous or homostylous. Calyx usually pubescent;tube subglobose; lobes triangular, rounded, band-shaped or spatulate, very short, up to 6 mm, often persistent in fruit, colleters often present at base adaxially. Corolla white or purple, tubulate to funnelform; tube glabrous abaxially, adaxially pubescent, with a ring of hairs at upper part; lobes valvate in bud, acute to rounded, apex incurved at anthesis. Stamens alternate with corolla lobes, exserted or included; anthers situated above the ring of hairs, introrse, longitudinal dehiscent. Ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous on a peltate placenta inserted at middle of septum; style filiform, glabrous or hairy, exserted or not; stigma clavate to 2-lobed. Fruit 2-celled, a subglobose nut with hard endocarp, or a capsule dehiscing into two valves. Seeds numerous, brown, minute, angular.
About 30 species in Southeast Asia, mostly in Kalimantan and Sarawak. 3( or 4) species in China.
1a. Inflorescence subsessile
or shortly pedunculate at fruiting, capitate to dense
1. X. kwangtungense
1b. Inflorescence distinctly pedunculate, capitate to lax.
2a. Fruit septicidally
dehiscent. Inflorescence lax; peduncles 5--12 cm
2. X. balansae
2b. Fruit indehiscent. Inflorescence capitate to lax; peduncles 4.5--6 cm.
3a. Inflorescence capitate. Corolla tube 2--2.2 cm 3. X. attopevense
3b. Inflorescence open. Corolla tube 1.5--2 cm 4. X. polyanthum
1. Xanthophytum kwangtungense (Chun & How) H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 32. 1986.
岩黄树 yan huan shu
Xanthophytopsis kwangtungensis Chun & How in Sunyatsenia 4. 14. 1939
Shrubs, 0.5--1 m tall; stems erect, slightly stout, subterete, ferruginous pubescent when young, glabrescent when old. Leaves with petioles depressed, 1.5--3 cm long, ferruginous pubescent; blade papery, elliptic, elliptic oblong to ovate, 5--20 × 2.5-7 cm, apex acuminate, base narrow/attenuate and decurrent, margin entire, densely ciliate, adaxially glabrous or pilose along veins, abaxially ferruginous villose; glabrescent and sparse when old, lateral nerves 9-16 pairs, slightly dense and arcuate, adaxially indistinct or slightly prominent, abaxially prominent, reticular veins indistinct; stipules membranous, ovate, 1--1.2 cm long, ca. 0.5 cm wide at base, acuminate, ciliate, veined. Inflorescence a dense and head-like cyme, compact and many-flowered; peduncles very short, elongated to 10 mm in fruiting; bracteoles membranous, linear lanceolate, ca. 2 mm long, pubescent. Flowers with pedicels 1--3 mm, pubescent. Calyx villose? / pubescent?; tube turbinate globose, 1.1--1.2 mm in diameter; lobes 5, (band-shaped to?) subspatulate,ca. 1.2 mm long. Corolla pale yellow, campanulate funnelform, ca. 3.5 mm long, villose inside; lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 1.2 mm long. Stamens 5, inserted at lower part of corolla tube; filaments ca. 1 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 0.5 mm long, included. Style (either ca. 1.6 or ca. 2.7 mm long, glabrous,) exserted; stigmas capitate, 2-lobed. Capsules subglobose, pilose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, persistent calyx lobes 2.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, ciliate, reflexed. Seeds many, minute, angular. Fl. May; fr. Jul--Aug.
Wet places under forests. SE Guangxi, S Yunnan (Hekou) [Vietnam].
2. Xanthophytum balansae (Pitard) H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 31. 1986.
长梗岩黄树 chang geng yan huan shu
Xanthophytopsis balansae Pitard in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. Indo-Chine 3: 90, fig. 10 (7--8). 1922
Shrubs, ca. 1 m tall; stems terete, pale brown, ferruginous pubescent. Leaves with petioles depressed, 5--15 mm long, ferruginous puberulent; blade membranous or thinly papery, elliptic or oblong, 9--17.5 × 2.5--5 cm, apex acute, base cuneate to attenuate, often decurrent to petiole, margin entire, ciliate, adaxially pale green, glabrous or sparsely strigose, abaxially pale or pale brown, appressed ferruginous pubescent, lateral nerves 10--14 pairs, arcuate ascending, joining and netting near margin, reticular veinlets indistinct; （stipules narrowly ovate, strongly acuminate at apex, ca. 1 cm long, ca. 0.3 cm wide; colleters a few. ）Inflorescence an axillary panicle, loose and spreading, multichotomous, 2--2.5 cm in diameter, many-flowered; peduncles slender, 6--11 cm long, with soft hairs, first order of branches 1--18 mm long; bracts foliaceous, membranous, elliptic, acute, 2.5 cm long, 9 cm wide; bracteoles minute. Flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, puberulent. (Calyx sparsely pubescent, outside with visible veins; tube very short; lobes rounded to slightly spatulate, often overlapping, ca. 1.8 × 1.2 mm; colleters small.) Flowers not known. Fruit a capsule, subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, puberulent persistent calyx lobes obovate or obovate lanceolate, 1--3 mm long ca. 1 mm wide, puberulent, apex obtuse or slightly acute, reflexed, ciliate. Seeds many, minute, 4--6-angled, yellow. Fl. & fr. Jun--Oct.
Stream sides under dense forests. Guangxi (Shiwandashan) [N Vietnam]
3. Xanthophytum attopevense (Pierre ex Pitard) H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6(4):32. 1986.
琼岛岩黄树 qiong dao yan huang shu
Paedicalyx attopevensis Pierre ex Pitard in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. Indo-Chine 3: 88, fig. 10(5-6) et fig. 12(1). 1922
Shrubs or herbs, to 1 m tall; stems erect, usually unbranches, upper part herbaceous. Leaves with petioles 2--3 mm long; blade membranous or thinly papery, narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate oblong, 10--20 × 3.5--6 cm, apex acuminate or shortly acuminate, base attenuate, margin entire, adaxially appressed villose, abaxially ferruginous sericeous villose, lateral veins very dense, 20(--30) pairs, arcuate, abaxially prominent; stipules large, ovate oor lanceolate, to 1.7 cm long, caudate or acuminate. Cymes compact, many-flowered, sometimes condensed in head-like; peduncles to 4.5 cm long, axillary, stout. Flowers with pedicels ca. 1 mm long; Calyx tube ca. 1.5 mm long, densely villose; lobes 5, reflexed, unequal, 1--2.5 mm long, subglabrous. Corolla white; tube 2--2.2 mm long, only villose in throat inside; lobes oblong lanceolate, shorter than tube. Stamens 5, inserted slightly below middle of corolla tube; filaments ca. 1.5 mm long; anthers oblong. Style 2.5 mm long; stigma exserted. Fruit drupaceous, indehiscent, usually subglobose, slightly broad and compressed, grooved between cells, ca. 2 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, hirsute. Seeds many, minute, angular, testa reticular foveolate /aerolate. Fl. Jan--Mar; fr. May--Aug.
Dense forests. Hainan [Laos].
4. Xanthophytum polyanthum Pitard in Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 3 (1922) 91.
Shrubs dwarf; stem unbranched, leafless at lower part, with light bark, hairy/idumentum well developed?. Leaves crowded at upper aprt of stem; petioles up to 5 cm long ; blade broadly lanceolate to oblong, 9--30 × 3.5--8 cm, base cuneate to attenuate, apex acute to acuminate, adaxially subglabrous, abaxially hairy along and between veins; lateral veins 14-25 pairs; stipules large, broad, ovate, hairy at least on midrib and margins, 2 × 0.9 cm, apex acuminate and sometimes bifid. Inflorescence a panicle, up to 5 cm long; peduncles up to 6 cm long. Calyx pubescent outside, glabrous inside; tube very short; lobes band-shaped to ovate to sometimes slightly spatulate, 0.6--2.1 mm long; colleters sparse. Corolla tubulate to funnelform, glabrous or with a few stout hairs outside; tube 1.5--2 mm long, with a broad ring of hairs inside; lobes 0.5--1.5 mm, glabrous. Stamens loosely inserted at lower third of corolla, either ca. 2.5 mm or ca. 3 mm long, glabrous; anthers ca. 0.6 mm. Style either ca. 1.4 or ca. 3 mm, glabrous. Fruit indehiscent, ca. 2--3 mm.
Hainan (Jianfengling) [N Vietnam].
B. Axelius (1990) cited S. K. Lau 3555 (P, S) in his treatment of this species, but H. S. Lo (1986) cited the same specimen under X. attopevensis. No material at MO at present.
耳草属 er cao shu
Herbs, undershrubs or shrubs, erect or climbing; stems terete or quadrangular. Leaves opposite, rarely whorled or cespitose; stipules free or connate into sheath /adherent with petioles in sheath. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, usually cymes or further arranged in panicles, capitula, umbels or corymbs, rarely other types of inflorescences or reduced into solitary. Flowers with or without bracts and bracteoles or not, pedicellate or sessile. Calyx tube usually turbinate, limb persistent, distinct or indistinct; lobes usually 4, sometimes 5, rarely 2 or 3. Corolla tubulate, funnelform or rotate, hairy or glabrous; lobes 4 or 5, rarely 2 or 3, valvate in bud. Stamens as many as corolla lobes, rarely different in number, exserted or included; filaments hairy or glabrous; anthers dorsifixed. Disc usually small, 4--lobate /shallowly 4-lobed. Ovary 2-celled, each cell with few to many/numerous, very rarely solitary. Style linear, included or exserted; stigma bilobed, rarely undivided. Fruit small, membranous, brickle chitinous /crustaceous, rarely leathery, septicidal or loculicidal dehiscent, or indehiscent at maturity. Seeds 2 to many, rarely 1, small, angular or plano--convex; testa smooth or perforate, endosperm fleshy; radicle clavate or terete.
About 400 species mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, few in temperate. 60 species and 3 varieties in China.
1a. Fruit indehiscent or dehiscent at top (Sect. 1. Hedyotis)
2a. Inflorescence pedunculate. Plants hairy, with hairs turning golden yellow or pale yellow.
3a. Corolla tube slightly longer than corolla lobes. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat 1. H. costata
3b. Corolla tube 3 times as long as corolla lobes. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube 2. H. lineate
2b. Inflorescence not pedunculate.
4a. Fruit indehiscent.
5a. Inflorescence terminal, rarely in axils of upper leaves, compact/crowded into head--like, usually subtended by 4 foliaceous lobes.
6a. Capitulum 1--1.5 cm in diameter. Flowers 4-merous, rarely 5-merous. Calyx limb with lobes ciliate 3. H. coronaria
6b. Capitulum 2--2.5 cm in diameter.
7a. Fruit obovate, 3--3.5 mm long, 2--2.5 mm in diameter. Calyx limb lobes 4, sometimes 2 or 3 4. H. paridifolia Dunn
7b. Fruit globose, ca. 1 mm in
diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes 4
5. H. baotingensis
5b. Inflorescence axillary.
8a. Leaf blade elliptic, 20--30 × 5--10 cm; midrib broad, purple 6. H. Cryptantha
8b. Leaf blade ovate, ovate-lanceolate, rarely elliptic, smaller than 12 × 5 cm; midrib not purple.
9a. Plants glabrous; old branches smooth. Fruit oblong, drupaceous 7. H. philippensis
9b. Plants hairy. Fruit globose.
10a. Flowers many, over 10 tufted/clustered in leaf axils. Stipules connate into a short sheath 5--7-lobed at apex; lobes linear or setaceous/bristle-like 8. H. auricularia
10b. Flowers 1--3 tufted/clustered in leaf axils. Stipules shortly connate, acuminate at upper part, sparsely serrulate at margin 9. H. chrysotricha
4b. Fruit dehiscent very late? or dehiscent only at top.
12a. Fruit glabrous.
13a. Leaf blade fleshy, oblong-obovate or oblong, 1--2 × 0.4--0.8 cm 10. H. coreana
13b. Leaf blade not fleshy.
14a. Stipules glabrous, 1--1.5 cm long; petioles 1--1.8 cm long.
15a. Stipules large and thin, reniform, with aciculate lobes black glandular-punctate at margin near apex 11. H. Platystipula
15b. Stipules smaller, not reniform, without aciculate lobes black glandular-punctate at margin near apex 12. H. lianshaniensis
14b. Stipules hairy, 3--5 mm long. Leaves sessile.
16a. Leaf blade linear or linear-lanceolate, when dry dark brown, densely rotund transparent minute scaly 13. H. tenelliflora
16b. Leaf blade oblanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, adaxially sparse pubescent, abaxially dense long hairy 14. H. butensis
17a. Corolla lobes bearded at
apex. Fruit as long as with persistent calyx limb lobes
15. H. Verticillata
17b. Corolla lobes not bearded at apex. Fruit much shorter than with persistent calyx limb lobes 16. H. pinifolia
18a. Fruit septicidally dehiscent into 2 valves.
19a. Fruit not projecting at apex (Sect.2. Diplophragma Wight. et Arn.)
20a. Inflorescences loose, arranged in corymbous or paniculate.
21a. Inflorescences terminal.
22a. Herbs erect, slender. Stems quadrangular, sharply 4-angled. Leaf blade linear or linear-lanceolate 17. H. tetrangularis
22b. Herbs stout, fruticose. Leaf blade broad.
23a. Inflorescence with branches very spreading, usually serpentine 18. H. effusa
23b. Inflorescence with branches compact, not serpentine.
24a. Stems and branches winged or quadrangular. Leaves sessile or subsessile.
25a. Herbs stout. Stipules ovate or broadly triangular.
26a. Stems quadrangular, sharply 4-angled or 4-winged, internodes slightly short at upper aprt. Leaf blade leathery. Stipules ovate or triangular, entire or minutely glandullose serrulate 19. H. acutangula
26b. Stems obtusely
quadrangular at upper part, terete at lower part; internodes 3--5 cm long. Leaf
bladed thickly papery. Stipules lacerate into narrowed lobes at apex
20. H. Yangchunensis
25b. Herbs slender. Stipules oblong, acuminate at apex 21. H. Consanguinea
24b. Stems and branches slightly quadrangular when young, old branches terete. Leaves shortly petiolate.
27a. Inflorescence many-flowered, arranged in long paniculate
28a. Corolla tube soft hairy adaxially, throat slightly expanded/enlarged. Fruit oblong or ellipsoid 22. H. caudatifolia
28b. Corolla tube glabrous adaxially. Fruit globose 23. H. cantoniensis
27b. Inflorescence arranged not as above.
29a. Corolla tube slightly expansded/enlarged at throat. Stamens exserted out of corolla tube 24. H. vachellii
29b. Corolla tube not expanded/enlarged at throat. Stamens not exserted out of corolla tube 25. H. bodinieri
21b. Inflorescence axillary or borne at axillary branchlets.
30a. Inflorescence borne at axillary foliolate branchlets. Leaf blade narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, 10--15 × 1.5--2 cm. Stipules triangular, minutely glandular serrulate at margin 26. H. communis
30b. Inflorescence not borne at axillary branchlets.
31a. Plants hirtellate/hispidulous or scabrous.
32a. Calyx, corolla abaxially and pedicel hirtellate /hispidulous, turning yellowish brown when dry 27. H. mellii
32b. Calyx, corolla abaxially and pedicel glabrous, not turning yellowish brown when dry 28. H. assimilis
31b. Plants smooth and glabrous or hairy only long midrib.
33a. Pedicel slender and effeminate, 2 to 3 times as long as calyx. Inflorescence very loose 29. H. Tenuipes
33b. Pedicel stout, shorter than twice of calyx length.
34a. Flowers densely tufted at inflorescence.
35a. Stems stout, sharply 4-angled, quadrangular. Leaf blade 16--20 × 3--4 cm or longer; midrib abaxially to 3 mm wide, purple at beginning 30. H. cathayana
35b. Stems and branches terete or indistinct obtuse angled. Leaf blade 2.5--5 × 1.4--3 cm 31. H. loganioides
34b. Flowers scattered at inflorescence or arranged in various inflorescenes.
36a. Flowers scattered at inflorescence only several-flowered 32. H. matthewii
36b. Flowers arranged in various inflorescences.
37a. Inflorescence a prolonged panicle, 20 cm long, second order branches opposite, racemose, branches flexuous/zigzag at upper part. Leaf blade glabrous 33. H. Longiexserta
37b. Inflorescence dichotomous or arranged in corymbous cymes, 1.5--4 cm long, branches not flexuous. Leaf blade farinose soft hairy abaxially 34. H. minutopuberula
20b. Inflorescence haed-like or tufted/fascicled or several-flowered.
38a. Inflorescence haed-like
39a. Inflorescence peduculate.
40a. Bracts broadly ovate, 1.5--2.5 × 1--1.8 cm. Peduncles 4--15 cm long 35. H. bracteosa
40b. Bracts smaller. Peduncles short.
41a. Leaves sessile; blade amplexicaul at base, adaxially scabrous, abaxially black glandular-punctate under magnifier 36. H. xanthochroa
41b. Leaves petiolate; blade not amplexicaul at base, adaxially glabrous or sparsely minute soft hairy, abaxially not glandular-punctate 37. H. capituligera
39a. Inflorescence not pedunculate.
42a. Stems and branches quadrangular. Stipules triangular, 12 mm long, connate at base, alienated long serrate or parted at margin 38. H. uncinella
42b. Stems and branches terete, subquadrangular when young. Stipules entire.
43a. Leaf blade thickly leathery, linear-lanceolate, 7--8 × 0.4--1.5 cm, turning tea-brown when dry. Calyx tube ovate; lobes lanceolate 39. H. Longipetala
43b. Leaf blade
papery or thinly leathery, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 4--8 × 1--2 cm, not
turning tea-brown when dry. Calyx tube cylindrical; lomb lobes oblong
40. H. terminaliflora
38b. Inflorescence tufted or only several-flowered.
44a. Inflorescence many-flowered, more than 5 flowers.
45a. Leaf blade ovate, 2.5--7 × 1.5--2.5 cm. Calyx tube subglobose, 1--1.5 mm in diameter; lobes lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long 41. H. ovata
45b. Leaf blade lanceolate, fragile, 6--11 × 1.5--2.5 cm. Calyx tube turbinate, 1--1.5 mm long; lobes oblong, as long as calyx tube 42. H. exserta
44b. Inflorescence only 1--4-flowered.
46a. Branchlets,
calyx and fruit glabrous. Calyx lobes and corolla lobes 4-merous
43. H. pulcherrima
46b. Branchlets,
calyx and fruit pubescent. Calyx lobes and corolla lobes 5-merous
44. H. hainanensis
19b. Fruit projecting at apex (Sect. 3. Dimetia)
47a. Cymes corymbous, spreading/spreading.
48a. Plants
densely golden yellow villose. Style long exserted out of corolla tube
45. H. obliquinervis
48b. Plants glabrous except partially scattered pubescent. Style slightly exserted out of corolla tube 46. H. ampliflora
47b. Cymes not corymbous, narrow.
49a. Flowers sessile, 2 to many crowded in small radial capitulum 47. H. capitellata
49b. Flowers pedicellate, arranged in various inflorescences.
52a. Stipules entire. Plants smooth and glabrous 48. H. scandens
52b. Stipules truncate, with 4--6 acicular/acerate spine.
53a. Corolla lobes shortly hairy at sinus?; plant covered with soft hairs turning yellow when dry 49. H. diahxiensis
53b. Corolla lobes not shortly hairy at sinus?. Plant with indumentum not turning pale yellow when dry 50. H. hedyotidea
18b. Fruit loculicidal dehiscent, rarely indehiscent.
54a. Ovary smooth, not angular and winged (Sect. 4. Euoldenlandia)
55a. Inflorescence many-flowered.
56a. Flowers arranged into umbel. Leaves opposite or densely cespitose/tufted 51. H. umbellata
56b. Cymes arranged in various paterns, or solitary, or several scattered.
57a. Cymes trichotomous arranged 52. H. chereevensis
57b. Cymes solitary or several scattered at branch. Leaves 4-verticilate at upper part of branches, abscent at lower partof branches 53. H. ovatifolia
55b. Inflorescence few-flowered, 1--3-flowered, rarely 4-flowered.
58a. Flowers with pedicels slender.
59a. Flowers 2--4 composing small corymbs, rarely reduced into 1-flowered. Fruit flat at apex 54. H. corymbosa
59b. Flowers solitary, rarely in pair at peduncle.
61a. Herbs prostrate; branches emerging at base of stem. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube, alternate with corolla lobes 55. H. taiwanensis
61b. Herbs erect; branches not emerging at base of stem. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat 56. H. herbacea
58b. Flowers sessile, rarely very shortly and thickly pedicellate.
62a. Leaf blade linear, 1--3 × 0.1--0.3 cm, midrib impressed adaxially, lateral veins indistinct 57. H. diffusa
62b. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, length and width nearly equal; lateral veins 2 or 3 pairs, lowest pair arising from base 58. H. trineria
54b. Ovary 4-angled/4-angled or winged(Sect. 5. Gonotheca)
63a. Fruit
winged, crowned with persistent calyx limb cupulate and shallowly lobed
59. H. pterita
63b. Fruit with 2 or 4 projecting /rised vertical/longitudianal ridges, persistent calyx limb not cupulate 60. H. biflora
Sect. 1. Hedyotis
Fruit crustaceous or drupaceous, indehiscent or dehiscent at apex at maturity. Seeds usually small. Herbs, rarely undershrubs. Leaf blade usually linear, veined. Flowers minute, mostly crowded into axillary cyme. Stipules divided into spines, rarely entire.
1. Hedyotis costata (Roxb.)Kurz in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 45: 135. 1876.
脉耳草 mai er cao
Spermacoce costata Roxb. Hort. Beng. 10. 1814，nom. nud. et Fl. Ind. ed. Carey 1: 376. 1820; Metabolus lineatus Bartl.; Hedyotis vestita R. Br.; Hedyotis capituliflora Miq.
Herbs perennial, diffuse, 30--50 cm tall, covered with sparse hairs/?pilose turning golden yellow when dry except flowers and fruits shortly hairy/pubescent; young branches quadrangular, old branches subterete. Leaves opposite; petioles 5--10 mm long; blade membranous, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 5--8 × 1.5--2.8 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate and decurrent; lateral veins 4 or 5 pairs, slender, distinct, ascending in an sharp angle with midrib; stipules membranous, connate base, upper part divided into several acicular spines 3--5 mm long. Cymes crowded into head-like, solitary in leaf axils, or several arranged into racemose, with bracts subulate, to 1 mm long; peduncles 5--12 mm long. Flowers 4- (or 5)-merous, fragrant, sessile or very shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube turbinate, 0.5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long. Corolla tubulate, white or purple, 2.2--2.5 mm long; tubes 1.2--1.5 mm long, hairy at throat and above; lobes long elliptic, ca. 1 mm long, acuminate. Stamens as many as corolla lobes, inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers elliptic, slightly flattened, exserted. Style 1.2--1.5 mm long, hairy above middle; stigma bifid; lobes linear. Fruit subglobose, 1--1.5 mm in diameter, indehiscent at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes triangular, spreading, 0.5 mm long. Seeds 3 or 4 each cell, trigonous, black when dry. Fl. and fr. Jul--Nov.
Forest margins in valleys or open fields ob grass slopes at low elevations. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan,Yunnan [Indo-China peninsula, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India].
2. Hedyotis Lineata Roxb. Fl. Ind. ed. Carey 1: 369. 1820.
东亚耳草 dong ya er cao
Hedyotis ulmifolia Wall.; Oldenlandia lineata (Roxb.) Kuntze; Exallage ulmifolia (Wall.) Bremek.
Herbs or undershrubs perennial, cespitose, erect, 25--35 cm tall, pale yellow or yellow long hairy/villose; stems obtusely quadrangular, woody at base. Leaves opposite, sessile or very shortly petiolate; blade ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, usually (0.5--)2--3.5(--4) × 1.2--4.5 cm, apex acuminate, base obtuse, , lateral veins 3 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib, adaxially usually impressed; stipules broadly triangular, margin several long hairy. Cymes axillary, several-flowered; peduncles 3--4 mm long. Flowers minute, 4-merous; pedicel 2 mm long. Calyx tube subcupulate; lobes nearly as long as or slightly shorter than calyx tube. Corolla white, salverform; tubes 3 times as long as lobes. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube. Style included. Fruit subglobose, small, indehiscent at maturity, with many minute seeds. Fl. Jun.
Broad-leaved forests at high elevations. Yunnan (Menghai) [Nepal, Sikkim, Bengal, Myanmar].
3. Hedyotis coronaria (Kurz) Graib Fl. Siam Enum. 2: 38. 1932.
合叶耳草 he ye er cao
Scleromitrion coronarium Kurz in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 46(2): 136. 1877; Hedyotis connata Hook. f.; Oldenlandia connata (Hook. f.) Kuntze; Hedyotis coronata Wall. ex Hook. f. et Jacks.; Ｏldenlandia Coronata (Wall. ex Hook. f. et Jacks.) Williams
Herbs prostrate, 11--13 cm long; roots woody; stems subquadrangular at beginning, pubescent. Leaves opposite; blade membranous or thinly papery, oblong or long elliptic, 5--7 × 1.2--2 cm, apex acute, base obtuse, glabrous except pubescent along midrib abaxially; lateral veins indistinct, ca. 5 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules sheath-like, broad at base, upper part divided into several acicular spines 5--7 mm long, ciliate. Inflorescences terminal, crowded into head-like, 1--1.5 cm in diameter, sessile/without peduncles, usually subtended by 4 leaves, rarely in axils of lower leaves. Flowers sessile or very shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube elliptic; lobes 4, lanceolate, 4--5 × 2--3 mm, apex long acuminate, distinctly veined, ciliate. Corolla tube 9--10 mm long; lobes 4, lanceolate, 3 mm long, apex acute. Anthers linear-oblong, 1.5 mm long. Style 5 mm long, included; stigma bifid. Fruit elliptic, 2.2--3 mm in diameter, indehiscent at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes 5--5.2 mm long. Seeds many, minute, angled/ridged, black when dry. Fl. unknown.
Bamboo forests or on rocks at stream sides; 600--1000 m. Yunan (Mengla), Hainan [Thailland, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines and India].
4. Hedyotis paridifolia Dunn in Kew Bull. 366. 1912.
延龄耳草 yan ling er cao
Oldenlandia paridifolia (Dunn) Chun.
Herbs perennial, erect, 20--30 cm tall, glabrous except corolla hairy adaxially; stems green or purplish, angled at upper part, subterete at lower part, woody at base. Leaves with uppermost two pairs usually close at tip of branches, others sparse; petioles 0.5 mm long or sessile; blade papery, ovate, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 7--12 × 2.3--4 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, broadly cuneate at base, sometimes decurrent to petiole; lateral veins 5--7 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, 3.2 mm long, connate at base, apex aristate, margin sparsely long serrate. Cymes crowded into haed-like, without peduncles with bracts small and ovate, terminal cymes 2--2.5 cm in diameter, usually subtended by 4 leaves, axillary cymes rather small, several-flowered. Flowers shortly pedicellate or sessile. Calyx tube turbinate, purple, ca. 1 mm long, limb usually 4-lobed 4, occasionally 2- or 3-lobed; lobes oblong-elliptic, 2--3 mm long, erect, scattered opaque striate, apex obtuse. Corolla funnelform, 6--7 mm long, adaxially tomentulose/velutinous, apex usually 4-lobed; lobes linear, spreading, much shorter than tube. Stamens inserted slightly below corolla throat; filaments very short; anthers slightly exserted, oblong, 0.5 mm long, both ends truncate. Style as long as corolla; stigma bifid, lobes linear, hairy, spreading and reflexed. Fruit obovate or subelliptic, 3--3.5 mm long, 2--2.5 mm in diameter, smooth, straw yellow at maturity, indehiscent, with persistent calyx limb lobes 3.5--4 mm long. Seeds minute, many(about 12) in each cell, angled, testa black when dry, foveolate. Fl. May--Nov.
Forests/thickests at middle elevations. Hainan.
5. Hedyotis baotingensis Ko in Journ. S. China Agr. Univ. 16(4): 43. 1995.
保亭耳草 bao ting er cao
Herbs prostrate, stout, 40--60 cm tall, few-branched; stems terete, compressed terete when dry, 2.5--4 mm in diameter, festucine/straw-colored, scabrous, internodes very short near base, often with adventitious roots. Leaves often appearing 4-verticilate at top of branches; petioles 1--1.5 cm long; blade papery, elliptic or obovate, 4--8(--13) × 3--5 cm, apex acute, attenute below middle, decurrent to petiole, adaxially glabrous, abaxially sparse hirtellate/hispidulous along veins; midrib adaxially impressed, abaxially prominent, , lateral veins 5--12 pairs, ascending, distinct; stipules narrowly triangular, apex long acuminate, margin erose. Flowers unknown. Infructescence terminal, crowded in orbiculate, 2--2.5 cm in diameter, subtended by 4 leaves. Fruit globose or ellipsoid, 1--1.5 mm in diameter, indehiscent at maturity; with persistent calyx limb lobes 4, narrowly oblong, 5--5.5 mm long, transparent, distinctly striate; 3--4-seeded. Seeds angled, black when dry. Fr. Oct.
Broad-leaved forests on shady slopes. Hainan (Baoting).
6. Hedyotis cryptantha Dunn in Kew Bull. 367. 1912.
闭花耳草 bi hua er cao
Oldenlandia cryptantha (Dunn) Chun.
Herbs perennial, prostrate, 30--40 cm tall, glabrous except flowers; stems stout, angled, internodes short. Leaves large; petioles 1--1.5 cm wide, usually surrounding /subtending inflorescence partially; blade papery, elliptic, 20--30 cm long including petiole, 5--10 cm wide, apex long acuminate, base attenuate, decurrent; midrib often purple, , lateral veins 5--7 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules linear, to 3 cm long, 2--3 mm wide at base, upper part acuminate, apex divided into several acicular spines. Inflorescence axillary, crowded into glomerule-like, without peduncles; bracts linear- lanceolate。 Flowers sessile or very shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube globose, 4--5 mm in diameter; lobes 4, linear- lanceolate, 6--8 mm long, apex acuminate. Corolla slightly purplish, salverform; tubes 1.4--1.6 mm long, tomentulose above middle to throat; lobes 4, narrowly ovate, ca. 3 mm long, spreading. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers included, linear- oblong, 1--1.2 mm long, both ends obtuse. Style as long as corolla tube, parted to middle; lobes linear, hairy, spreading. Fruit obovate, ca. 3 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, indehiscent at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes 10 mm long. Seeds angled, black when dry, minutely foveolate. Fl. Sep--Nov.
Forests in humid shady valleys or in rock rift at streamsides. Hainan (Lingshui).
7. Hedyotis philippensis (Willd. ex Spreng.) Merr. ex C. B. Rob. in Philip. Journ. Sci. Bot. 6: 222. 1911.
菲律宾耳草 fei lv bin er cao
Spermacoce philippensis Willd. ex Spreng. Syst. Vog. 1: 401. 1825; Metabolus laevigatus DC; Hedyotis laevigata (DC.)Miq.; H. congesta R. Br.; Oldenlandia congesta Kuntze.
Herbs or undershrubs erect, to 60 cm tall, glabrous; branches quadrangular at upper part, terete at lower part, epidermis smooth. Leaves opposite; petioles 4--6 mm long, adaxially sulcate; blade papery or membranous, ovate, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, 4--7(--12) × 2--4 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate, slightly decurrent; lateral veins slender, 4--6 pairs, extending in a sharp angle with midrib, slightly arcuate ascending; stipules broadly triangular, 2--4 mm long, connate at base, apex acute, margin entire or minutely glandular serrate. Cymes axillary, crowded into glomerule-like, 10--18-flowered, without peduncles; bracts lanceolate, 2--4 mm long. Flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, 0.8--1 mm long; lobes 4, triangular, 1--1.2 mm long. Corolla white; tubes ca. 2 mm long; lobes 4, lanceolate, shorter than corolla tube, apex acute. Stamens inserted at corolla throat; filaments short; anthers oblong, both ends truncate. Style 2--2.2 mm long; stigma bifid, lobes linear, curved. Fruit oblong, subdrupaceous, 3--4 mm long, 2--3 mm in diameter, indehiscent at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes ca. 1 mm long. Seeds 5 or 6 in each cell, black when dry, foveolate. Fl. Apr--Jun.
Hainan (Xinglong) [India, Indo-China peninsula, Indonesia, Philippine].
8. Hedyotis auricularia Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 1, 101. 1753.
耳草 er cao
Herbs perennial, suberect or prostrate, stout, 30--100 cm tall; branchlets hirtellate/hispidulous, rarely glabrous, subquadrangular when young, terete when old, usually rooting at node. Leaves opposite; petioles 2--7 mm long or shorter; blade subleathery, lanceolate or elliptic, 3--8 × 1--2.5 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate or slightly decurrent, adaxially smooth or scabrous, abaxially usually farinose short hairy; lateral veins 4--6 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules membranous, hairy, connate into a short sheath, apex 5--7-lobed, lobes linear or setaceous/bristle-like. Cymes axillary,crowded in haed-like, without peduncles; bracts lanceolate, minute. Flowers sessile or with pedicels 1 mm long. Calyx tube ca. 1 mm long, usually hairy; lobes 4, lanceolate, 1--1.2 mm long, hairy. Corolla white; tubes 1--1.5 mm long, glabrous abaxially, adaxially hairy at throat; lobes 4, 1.5--2 mm long, spreading/?spreading. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers exserted, oblong, slightly shorter than filament. Style 1 mm long, hairy; stigma bifid, lobes clavate, hairy. Fruit globose, 1.2--1.5 mm in diameter, sparse hirtellate /hispidulous or subglabrous, indehiscent at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes 0.5--1 mm long. Seeds 2--6 in each cell, testa black when dry, minutely foveolate. Fl. Mar--Aug.
Forest margins and thickets, or sometimes grass lands. S & SW China [India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippine, Australia].
1a. Branchlets hirtellate, rarely glabrous. Leaf blade lanceolate or elliptic, 3--8 × 1--2.5 cm; lateral veins 4--6 pairs 8a. H. auricularia var. auricularia
1b. Branchlet distinctly
longitudinal grooved, villose in grooves. Leaf blade ovate, rarely elliptic,
1.2--3 × 0.4--0.8(--1) cm; lateral veins 2 or 3 (or 4) pairs
8b. H. auricularia var. mina Ko
8a. Hedyotis auricularia Linn. var. auricularia
耳草 er cao
Oldenlandia auricularia (Linn.) F.-Muell.; Exallage auricularia (Linn.) Bremek.
Branchlets hirtellate, rarely glabrous. Leaf blade lanceolate or elliptic, 3--8 × 1--2.5 cm; lateral veins 4--6 pairs. Fl. Mar--Aug.
Forest margins and thickets, or sometimes grass lands. S & SW China [India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippine, Australia].
8b. Hedyotis auricularia Linn. var. mina Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 578. 299. 1974.
细叶亚婆潮 xi ye ya po chao
Branchlet distinctly longitudinal grooved, grooves villose. Leaf blade ovate, rarely elliptic, 1.2--3 × 0.4--0.8(--1) cm,; lateral veins 2 or 3 (or 4) pairs. Fl. almost year round.
Wet/humid open fields or at stream sides and in thickests. Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi.
9. Hedyotis chrysotricha (Palib.) Merr. in Lingnan Sci. Journ. 7: 322. 1929.
金毛耳草 jin mao er cao
Anotis chrysotricha Palib. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. Ser. 2, 6: 20. 1906; Oldenlandia chrysotricha (Palib.) Chun.
Herbs perennial, diffuse, ca. 30 cm tall, woody at base, golden yellow hirsute?. Leaves opposite; petioles 1--3 mm long; blade thinly papery, broadly lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, 20--28 × 10--12 mm, apex acute or mucronate?, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, adaxially sparsely hirtellate/ hispidulous, abaxially densely yellow tomentose, denser along veins; lateral veins 2 or 3 pairs, very slender, only distinct abaxially; stipules shortly connate, upper part long acuminate, margin sparsely serrulate, pilose. Cymes axillary, 1--3-flowered, golden yellow pilose, subsessile. Calyx soft hairy; tube subglobose, ca. 13 mm long; lobes lanceolate, longer than tube. Corolla white or purple, funnelform, 5--6 mm long, abaxially pilose or subglabrous, adaxially bearded, uppart parted; lobes linear-oblong, apex acuminate, as long as or slightly shorter than corolla tube. Stamens included; filaments very short or abscent. Style bearded at middle; stigma clavate, bifid. Fruit subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, spreading hirsute/setiferous, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1--1.5 mm long, indehiscent at maturity, several-seeded. Fl. almost year round.
Braod-leaved forests in valleys or thickets on mountain slopes. Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Guizhou, Yunnan, Taiwan.
10. Hedyotis coreana Lévl. in Fedde, Rep. Sp. Nov. 11: 64. 1912.
肉叶耳草 rou ye er cao
Oldenlandia paniculata var. parvifolia A. Gray ex Maxim.; O. crassifolia DC. Prodr. 4: 427. 1830.
Herbs annual, glabrous, fleshy, 10--20 cm tall, many- branched, nearly tufted; branches slender, angled, dry branches, subcespitose; branches slender, angled, turning pale yellow or yellowish brown when dry, internodes 1--2 cm. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade fleshy, oblong-obovate or oblong, 1--2 × 0.4--0.8 cm, apex acute, base attenute and decurrent; lateral veins indistinct, only midrib slightly distinct; stipules broadly triangular, connate at base, apex mucronate. Cymes sometimes arranged into short paniculate, 3--8-flowered, terminal or axillary; peduncles 7--10 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedlcelslender. Calyx tube turbinate, 3--4 mm long including limb; lobes triangular, minute, 1 mm long. Corolla in bud, glabrous abaxially, adaxially transparent pilose. Stamens inserted near base of corolla tube; filaments short. Style glabrous; stigma 2-lobed/2-lobed. Capsule compressed turbinate, 4--5 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobe, 1.2--2 mm wide, dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds many, minute, subglobose, blackish brown. Fl. unknown.
Sandy or muddy beaches at seasides. Guangdong, Zhejiang and Taiwan [Japan, Korea].
11. Hedyotis platystipulla Merr. in Philip. Journ. Sci. 21: 510. 1922.
阔托叶耳草 kuo you ye er cao
Oldenlandia platystipula (Merr.) Cnun
Herbs erect, glabrous, subfrutescent, ca. 40 cm tall; stems slightly thick, ca. 4 mm in diameter, sulcate striate when dry, few-branched. Leaves opposite; petioles 1--1.8 cm long; blade membranous, oblong-ovate or oblong-lanceolate, 8--12 × 2.5--4 cm, apex shortly acuminate, base abruptly narrowed, slightly decurrent; lateral veins distinct, 4--6 pairs, extending in a sharp angle with midrib, curved ascending, veinlets distinct; stipules large and thin, reniform, ca. 1 × 1.5 cm, margin lacerate into acicular spinous lobes 1--1.5 mm or longer, apex black minute glandulose. Inflorescence axillary, without peduncles, compact, glomerate, ca. 2 cm wide, partly covered by stipules. Flowers sessile. Calyx tube turbinate, 1.2--1.5 mm long; lobes 4, narrowly lanceolate, to 6 mm long, pinnately veined, ciliate. Corolla white, 8--8.5 mm long; lobes 4, lanceolate, ca. 2 mm long. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments short; anthers slightly exserted. Capsule oblong, 2--3 × 1.5--2 cm, dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds minute, ca. 10, black when dry, scabrous. Fl. Jul--Aug.
Forests in valleys or on rocks at stream sides. Guangdong, Guangxi.
12. Hedyotis lianshaniensis Ko in Journ. S. China Agr. Univ. 16(4): 41. 1995.
连山耳草 lian shan er cao
Undershrubs erect, 60--80 cm tall; stems hollow; young branches angled, old branches terete, smooth, internodes 4--4.5 cm. Leaves opposite; petioles 1--1.5 cm long; blade narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, 7--10 × 1.5--2.5 cm, apex long acuminate, attenute below middle, decurrent to petiole; stipules 1--1.5cm long, 5--8 mm wide at base, margin lacerate intp acicular spinous lobes slender, effeminate. Inflorescence axillary, without peduncles, partly covered by stipules. Flowers shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube cupulate, 1--1.2 mm long, sparsely hairy abaxially; lobes 4, lanceolate, 1.5 mm long. Corolla tube 2 mm long, gabrous, distinctly veined; lobes lanceolate, 2.5 mm long. Stamens at corolla tube throat; filaments short; anthers oblong, slightly exserted out of corolla tube. Style 4 mm long, sparsely hairy; stigma bifid, scabrous. Fruit elliptic, ca. 2 mm long, indehiscent or dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds many, minute, angled/angular. Fl. Feb--May.
Sparse forests in valleys. Guangdong (Liangshan).
13. Hedyotis tenelliflora Bl. Bijdr. 971. 1826.
纤花耳草 xian hua er cao
Hedyotis angustifolia Cham. et Schlecht.; Oldenlandia angustifolia Benth.; O. tenelliflora (Bl.) Kuntze.
Herbs effeminate, diffuse, many-branched, 15--40 cm tall, glabrous; branches quadrangular at upper part, sharply 4-angled, terete at lower part. Leaves opposite, sssile; blade thinly leathery, linear or linear-lanceolate, 2--5 × 0.2--0.4 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate, slightly decurrent, when dry revolute at margin, turning black adaxially, densely rotund transparent scaly, abaxially smooth, pale; midrib adaxially impressed, , lateral veins indistinct; stipules 3--6 mm long, connate at base, slightly hairy, apex lacerate, lobes setaceous/bristle-like. Flowers sessile, 1--3 facicled in leaf axils; bracts acicular, ca. 1 mm long, serrulate at margin. Calyx tube obovate, ca. 1 mm long; lobes 4, linear-lanceolate, ca. 1.8 mm long, ciliate. Corolla white, funnelform, 3--3.5 mm long; tubes ca. 2 mm long; lobes oblong, 1--1.5 mm long, apex obtuse. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments ca. 1.5 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, both ends obtuse, slightly shorter than filament. Style ca. 4 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes very short. Capsule ovate or subglobose, 2--2.5 mm long, 1.5--2 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes only 1 mm long, dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds many in each cell, minute. Fl. Apr--Nov.
On slopes in valleys or along ridge of field. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Zhejiang, Yunan [India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines].
14. Hedyotis butensis Masam. in Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Formosa 28: 119. 1938.
台湾耳草 tai wan er cao
Herbs annual, ca. 20 cm tall; stems terete; branchlets quadrangular. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade papery, oblanceolate, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2--6 × 0.3--1 cm, apex acuminate, base shortly acuminate, adaxially puberulous, abaxially densely villose; stipules broadly triangular, 3 mm long, hairy, 4 mm wide at base, apex acuminate. Inflorscence terminal and axillary, head-like; bracts linear, minute, ca. 1.5 mm long. Flowers minute. Calyx tube ovate, hairy, as long as bracts; lobes 4, linear, ca. 1.5 × 0.2 mm, hairy abaxially, adaxially glabrous. Corolla funnelform, 1--2.5 mm long, hairy abaxially; lobes oblong-linear, 0.2 × 0.4 mm, apex obtuse, hairy longer and denser adaxially than abaxially; filaments 0.2 mm long; anthers linear, exserted out of corolla tube. Style linear, 1--2 mm long; stigma hairy, bifid. Fruit globose, 1.5 mm in diameter, indehiscent or dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds many, angled. Fl. Jul--Sep.
Taiwan (Yilan).
15. Hedyotis verticillata (Linn.) Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1: 271. 1792.
粗叶耳草 cu ye er cao
Oldenlandia verticillata Linn. Mant. 1: 40. 1767; Hedyotis hispida Retz.; O. hispida Poir.
Herbs annual, diffuse, 25--30 cm tall; branches often prostrate, quadrangular at upper part, subterete at lower part, densely or sparsely hirtellate/hispidulous. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate or sessile; blade papery or thinly leathery, elliptic or lanceolate, 2.5--5 × 0.6--2 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate or obtuse, hirtellate/ hispidulous, scabrous, when dry revolute at margin, without lateral vein, midrib adaxially impressed; stipules slightly hairy, connate at base with petioles into a sheath, apically lacerate into several bristles 3--4 mm long. Glomerule axillary, without peduncles; bracts lanceolate, 3--4 mm long. Flowers sessile. Calyx tube obconical, ca. 1 mm long, hirsute/setiferous; lobes 4, lanceolate, 1--1.5 mm long. Corolla white, subfunnelform, glabrous except lobes bearded at apex, 3.8--4 mm long; tubes ca. 2 mm long, apically lobes 4; lobes lanceolate, 1.8--2 mm long. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments ca. 2 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, both ends obtuse, only 1 mm long. Style 4--4.5 mm long, apex inflated, capitate, scabrous. Capsule ovate, 1.5--2.5 mm long, 1.5--2 mm in diameter, setiferous/hirsute, dehiscent at top at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1.5--2.5 mm long. Seeds many in each cell, angled, pale brown when dry. Fl. Mar--Nov.
Hassock/thickets on foothills, roadsides, sparse forests at low to middle elevations. Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Zhejiang, Hongkong [India, Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia].
16. Hedyotis pinifolia wall. ex G. Don Gen. Syst. 3: 526. 1834.
松叶耳草 song ye er cao
Oldenlandia pinifolia (Wall. ex G. Don) K. Schum.
Herbs effeminate, multibranched/many-branched, diffuse, 10--25 cm tall; branches slender, sharply 4-angled, when dry blackish brown. Leaves cespitose, rarely opposite, hard and straight, sessile; blade linear, 12--25 × 1--2 mm, apex acute, when dry revolute at margin, scabrous, rarely hairy; midrib adaxially impressed, , lateral veins indistinct; stipules connate at lower part into a short sheath, apically divided into several seta/bristle unequal in length. Glomerule 3--10-flowered, terminal and axillary, without peduncles; bracts lanceolate, 3--4 mm long, sparsely hairy, ciliate. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels 0.8--1 mm long. Calyx tube obconical, 1--1.5 mm long, sparsely hirsute, limb tubulate at lower part, 2 mm long; lobes subulate, ca. 1 mm long, long acuminate, ciliate. Corolla tubulate, 8--8.5 mm long; tube 4--4.2 mm long; lobes oblong. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat. Filament ca. 2 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, both ends obtuse, 2/3 shorter than filament. Style 9 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes linear, ca. 1 mm long, spreading, incurved. Capsule subovate, 2.5--3 mm long, 1.5--2 mm in diameter, sparsely hirsute above middle, dehiscent at top at maturity, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1--1.2 mm long. Seeds several in each cell, angled/angular, pale brown when dry. Fl. May--Aug.
Open fields on hills or sandy wasteland at sea sides. Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan [India, Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia].
Sect. 2. Diplophragma Wight et Arn. Prodr. 406. 1834.
2. 二裂果组 er lie guo zu
Capsule septicidally dehiscent into 2 mericarps, each mericarp with 1--4 (or rarely more) seeds; mericarp vertically dehiscent, not projecting at apex. Shrubs and Herbs erect or prostrate; stipules various.
17. Hedyotis tetrangularis (Korth.) Walp. Ann. Bot. Syst. 2: 769. 1852.
方茎耳草 fang jing er cao
Diplophragma tetrangulare Korth. Nederl. Kuruidk. Arch. 2: 149. 1851; Hedyotis quadrangularis Miq.; H. parryi Hance; Oldenlandia parryi (Hance) Kuntze. O. quadrangularis Kuntze.
Herbs erect, 30--40 cm tall, glabrous except corolla hairy adaxially; stems quadrangular, woody at base, subterete, 2- or 3-tomous; branches slender, erect, distinctly nodose, internodes at upper part longer than at lower part. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade papery, linear to linear- lanceolate, 1.5--3 × 0.2--0.3 cm, apex acute, base rounded, slightly decurrent, usually revolute at margin; midrib impressed adaxially; stipules linear, 5--10 mm long, margin entire or 2- or 3-lobed, lateral veinslobes very minute when 3-lobed. Inflorescence terminal or terminal on lateral branches, rarely axillary, cyme 2- to many-chotomous branched, sometimes flowers on second order branches usually arranged into spikes; bracts linear, 1--1.2 mm long. Flowers 4-merous, subsessile or with pedicels 1--2 mm long. Calyx tube turbinate, 0.8--1 mm long; lobes narrowly lanceolate, slightly longer than calyx tube. Corolla white, tubulate, ca. 4 mm long; tubes ca. 2 mm long, tomentose at throat and above; lobes oblong, spreading, as long as or slightly shorter than tube. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments abscent or very short; anthers included, linear- oblong, 0.8 mm long. Style 3--3.2 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes thick, elliptic, hairy. Capsule subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1.2--1.5 mm long, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several in each mericarp, angled, black when dry. Fl. Sep--Nov.
Open fields or grass slopes at low elevations, sometimes on rodges of farm fields. Guangdong, Guangxi [Indonesia, Malaysia].
18. Hedyotis effusa Hance in Journ. Bot. 17: 11. 1879.
鼎湖耳草 ding hu er cao
Oldenlandia effusa (Hance) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, glabrous, woody at base, 0.5--1 m or taller; stems effeminate, slightly flattened when young, grayish purple, gradually hard, terete, brownish gray. Leaves opposite; petioles 2--5 mm long, stout; blade papery, ovate- lanceolate, 4--9.5 × 2--4 cm, apex acute and obtuse, base subrotund or cuneate; lateral veins slender, indistinct; stipules broadly triangular or truncate, 2--3 mm long, mucronate at apex, entire at margin. Inflorescence terminal, cyme dichotomous, arranged in paniculate, 10--15 × 4--10 cm, with branches very spreading, usually serpentine; peduncles slender, 2--4 cm long. Flowers 4-merous, pedlcellate. Calyx tube ovate, ca. 0.7 mm long; lobes triangular, ca. 0.4 mm long. Corolla funnelform, 3 mm long. Style exserted; stigma bifid. Capsule subglobose, flat at apex, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, angled, minute. Fl. Jul--Sep.
Forests or stream sides in valleys, sometimes on humid/wet hill slopes. Guangdong, Guangxi.
19. Hedyotis acutangula Champ. ex Benth. in Hook. Kew Journ. 4: 171. 1852.
金草 jin cao
Oldenlandia acutangula(Champ. ex Benth.)Kuntze.
Herbs erect, glabrous, usually subfrutescent, 25--60 cm tall, woody at base; stems qgadrangular, 4-angled or winged. Leaves opposite, sessile or subsessile; blade leathery, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, 5--12 × 1.5--2.5 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base rotund or cuneate, midrib distinct, , lateral veins and reticulate veins indistinct; stipules ovate or triangular, 3--5 mm long, usually revolute when dry, margin entire or minutely glabdular serrulate. Cymes arranged in paniculate or corymbous, terminal, with branches angled or winged; bracts lanceolate, speading. Flowers 4-merous, white, sessile; tube turbinate, ca. 1 mm long; lobes ovate, shorter than calyx tube. Corolla ca. 5 mm long; tubes 2.2--3 mm long, throat slightly enlarged, tomentose above middle; lobes ovate-lanceolate, slightly shorter than or as long as corolla tube. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat, included; filaments absent or very short; anthers linear-oblong, both ends truncate. Style nearly as long as corolla, farinose soft hairy; stigma 2-lobed, lobes subelliptic, scabrous. Capsule obovate, 2--2.5 mm long, 1--1.2 mm in diameter, flat or slightly protrude at apex, with persistent calyx limb lobes ca. 0.5 mm long, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Seeds subrotund, angled, black when dry. Fl. May--Aug.
Hill slopes or open fields. Guangdong, Hainan (wanning), Hongkong [Vietnam].
20. Hedyotis yangchunensis Ko et Zhang in Journ. S. China Arg. Univ. 16 (4): 45. 1995.
阳春耳草 yang chun er cao
Herbs erect, glabrous, subfrutescent, 30--50 cm tall; stems stout, upper part quadrangular, very scabrous, lower part subterete, slightly smooth; internodes short, 0.8--1.5 cm long. Leaves opposite, crowded at top of branches; petioles 1.5--2 cm long; blade thickly papery, long elliptic or oblong, 8--12 × 3--4.5 cm, occasionally only 3 × 1 cm, apex obtuse or subrotund, base decurrent to base of petiole; midrib abaxially thick and prominent, adaxially slender and impressed; lateral veins 5--7 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, 1.6 cm long, 0.8 mm wide at base, margin and apex lacerate into narrow lobes. Inflorescence terminal, with many flowers shortly pedicellate and crowded into orbiculate capitula, 2--2.3 cm in diameter, 2--3 small capitula arranged into compound cymose; peduncles 5--7 cm long, at top with a pair of small leaves, bracts ovate, 1.5 × 0.5--0.66 mm, and bracteoles linear, 5--7 × 2 mm. Flowers caducous. Capsule ellipsoid or subglobose, membranous, grayish brown when dry, ca. 3 × 2--2.5 mm, with pedicels 2.5--3 mm long, stout, dehiscent to 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded; persistent calyx limb lobes lanceolate, 3--3.5 × 1.2--2 mm, veined striate, long acuminate at apex. Seeds minute, angled, black when dry. Fl. Apr--Jun.
Hills or sparse forests in valleys; 400 m. Guangdong (Yangchun).
21. Hedyotis consanguinea Hance Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. 4. Bot. 18: 221. 1862.
拟金草 ni jin cao
Oldenlandia consanguinea (Hance) Kuntze; H. lancea Thunb. ex Maxim.; O. lancea (Thunb. ex Maxim.) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, 30--40 cm tall; stems unbranched, slender, glabrous, when dry turning grayish yellow, slightly angled. Leaves opposite, subsessile; blade lanceolate or oblong, 2--3 × 0.8--1 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate, glabrous, when dry slightly revolute at margin; midrib adaxially impressed, sparsely pubescent, , lateral veins 2--3 pairs, very indistinct; stipules oblong, acuminate, margin scattered minutely glandular serrulate. Inflorescence terminal and in axils of upper leaves, cymes arranged into panicle or raceme, 3--4 cm long, sometimes with a pair of small leaves; peduncles 2--3 cm long. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx tube 1.2 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 0.8 mm long. Corolla glabrous abaxially, adaxially sparse and transparent short hairy; tubes 2--2.5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, as long as corolla tube. Stamens inserted slightly below throat, included or exserted. Style long exserted with shorter filaments, or included with long filamnents; stigma 2-lobed/2-lobed. Capsule ellipsoid, 3 mm long including calyx limb lobes, 2 mm in diameter, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, many-seeded. Seeds minute slightly angled, blackish brown when dry. Fl. and fr. Jun--Aug.
Grass lands or at ditch sides. Guangdong, Fujian, Hongkong, Macao.
22. Hedyotis caudatifolia Merr. et Metcalf in Journ. Arn. Arb. 23: 228. 1942.
剑叶耳草 jian ye er cao
H. hui Diels;.
Shrubs erect, glabrous, 30--90 cm tall, woody at base; when dry old branches grey or grayish white, terete, young branches green, shallowly logitudinal striate. Leaves opposite; petioles 10--15 mm long; blade leathery, usually lanceolate, adaxially green, abaxially grayish white, 6--13 × 1.5--3 cm, apex caudate acuminate, base cuneate or decurrent; lateral veins 4 pairs, slender, indistinct; stipules broadly ovate, 2--3 mm long, acute, entire or glandular serrate. Cymes arranged into sparse paniculate; bracts lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute. Flowers 4-merous, shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube turbinate, ca. 3 mm long; lobes ovate-triangular, as long as calyx, acute. Corolla white or pink, 6--10 mm long, adaxially hairy; tubes tubulate, throat slightly enlarged, 4--8 mm long; lobes lanceolate, glabrous or setiferous/hirsute adaxially. Style as long as or slightly longer than corolla, exserted or included, glabrous; stigma 2, slightly minute hirsululous. Capsule oblong or ellipsoid, 4 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobes, ca. 2 mm in diameter, smooth and glabrous, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Seeds small, subtriangular, black when dry. Fl. May--Jun.
Dry soil in jungles/thickets or on Rock cliff, sometimes on clay soil in grass lands. Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan.
23. Hedyotis cantoniensis How ex Ko in Journ. S. China Agr. Univ. 16(4):42. 1995.
广州耳草 guang zhou er cao
Undershrubs erect, 30--60 cm tall, glabrous; stems subrotund, pale festucine/straw-colored, internodes 1--2 cm; branches and branchlets subterete, striate. Leaves opposite; blade thinly leathery, ovate or oblong-elliptic, 3--7 × 1--3 cm, both ends acute; midrib adaxially impressed, abaxially prominent, lateral veins very indistinct; stipules triangular, 2--3 mm long, connate at base, margin entire, apex minutely glandular serrate. Cymes arranged into narrow and short paniculate, terminal or axillary at upper part of branchlets , 1--3 cm long and wide. Flowers 4-merous, shortly pedicellate. Calyx 2--2.5 mm long; tube globose; lobes triangular, slightly shorter than calyx tube. Corolla 5--6 mm long; lobes oblong lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than corolla tube. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat, exserted out of corolla tube; filaments 2 mm long; anthers narrowly oblong, 1.1 mm long. Style 2.2 mm long; stigma clavate, bifid, scabrous. Capsule globose, 2--2.5 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobes, when dry reticulate striate, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Seeds angled. Fl. Apr--Aug.
Sparse forests. Guangdong.
24. Hedyotis vachellii Hook. et Arn. Beech. Voy. 194. 1833.
香港耳草 xiang gang er cao
Oldenlandia vachelii (Hook. et Arn.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 292. 1891.
Herbs erect, subfrutescent, 30--40 cm tall, glabrous; stems woody at base; branches rotund or indistinctly angled. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 2 mm long, stout, or sessile at upper part of branches; blade herbaceous, oblong-lanceolate, 4--7 × 1--2 cm, both ends acute; midrib adaxially slightly prominent, abaxially slightly broad and smooth, lateral veins very indistinct; stipules triangular, apex acute, ciliolate. Inflorescence terminal, cymes multichotomous, 4--4.5 × ca. 3.5 cm; peduncles 2 cm long, first order branches 1.5 cm long, second order branches 0.8--1 cm long; bracts lanceolate, 0.5--0.8 mm long. Flowers 4-merous, shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube turbinate, ca. 0.5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, apex obtuse, nearly as long as calyx tube, spreading. Corolla white; tubes ca. 3 mm long, throat slightly enlarged, adaxially sparsely hairy; lobes ovate-triangular, ca. 2 mm long, glabrous. Stamens exserted; anthers linear-oblong, 1.2 mm long. Style included. Capsule subglobose, 1.8 mm in diameter, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Seeds brown. Fl. Jun--Aug.
Hongkong (New Territories).
25. Hedyotis bodinieri Lévl. in Fedde Repert. Sp. N ov. 11: 64. 1912.
大冒山耳草 da mao shan er cao
Oldenlandia bodinieri (Lévl.) Chun
Herbs or undershrubs; branchlets soft hairy. Leaf blade membranous, distinct veined, not revolute at margin when dry. Flowers pedicellate, arranged into short cymes. Calyx lobes sublinear, acute, as long as corolla tube. Corolla white; tubes slightly longer than corolla lobes. Stamens not exserted out of corolla tube. Fl. May.
Top of mountain. Hongkong (Damao Mt.).
26. Hedyotis communis Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 301, 579. 1974
大众耳草 da zhong er cao
Undershrubs or herbs erect, glabrous, 1--1.5 m tall; stems stout, upper part quadrangular, lower part terete, internodes usually short. Leaves opposite; petioles 1--1.5 cm long; blade paery, narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, 10--15 × 1.5--2 cm, leaf at flowering branches narrow and small, 10--40 × 1.5--5 mm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, decurrent along petiole; midrib adaxially depressed or slightly impressed, , lateral veins 6--8 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib, adaxially indistinct, abaxially slightly distinct; stipules triangular, 11--13 × 3--4 mm, apex long acuminate, margin occasionally minutely glandular serrulate. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, cymes arranged into paniculate, borne on branches with small leavews; branches axillary, 11(--24) cm long; bracts in pair at base of peduncles of two panicles, linear or linear- lanceolate, 4--8 × 0.5--1 mm. Flowers 4-merous, shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube subobovate, 1--1.5 mm long; lobes narrowly triangular, ca. 2 mm long, apex long acuminate. Corolla white, tubulate, 5.5--8 mm long; tubes 3.5--4.5 mm long, bearded at throat; lobes oblong, 2--2.5 mm long, apex acute. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers exserted, oblong, ca. 1,2 mm long. Style 3--4 mm long; stigma 2-parted, lobes clavate, puberulent. Fruit obovate or subglobose, 5--6 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobes, 2--2.5 mm in diameter, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds 2--4, minute, brownish black when dry, tuberculate. Fl. almost year round.
On soil rich in humus in valleys or at strem sides. Hainan.
27. Hedyotis mellii Tutch. in Rep. Bot. Dept. (Hongkong) 1914; 32. 1915.
粗毛耳草 cu mao er cao
Oldenlandia mellii (Tutch.) Chun; Hedyotis speciosa Hand.-Mazz.; H. wulsinii Merr.
Herbs erect, stout, 30--90 cm tall; stems and branches subquadrangular, hairy when young, smooth when old, when dry dark yellow. Leaves opposite; blade papery, ovate- lanceolate, 5--9 cm or sometimes longer, sparsely short hairy; lateral veins 3--4 pairs, distinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, hairy, margin entire or sparsely long black glandular-punctate serrate, apex subulate or 3-lobed, lateral lobes short. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, cymes, many-flowered, compact, arranged into paniculate, 3--10 cm long including peduncles; peduncles 2--5 cm long, narrowly bracteate. Flowers 4-merous, together with pedicels covered with hirtellate hairs turning yellowish brown when dry. Calyx tube cupulate, ca. 3 mm long; lobes ovate-lanceolate, acute. Corolla 6--7 mm long; tubes short, 2--2.5 mm long, adaxially tomentose; lobes lanceolate, 4--4.5 mm long, apex reflexed. Filaments villose at lower part; anthers oblong, rarely exserted out of corolla tube. Style glabrous, long exserted; stigma capitate, slightly bifid. Capsule elliptic, sparsely hirtellate, ca. 3 mm long, crustaceous, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, angled, black. Fl. Jun--Jul.
Jungles/thickets on mountains or mountain slopes, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan.
28. Hedyotis assimilis Tutch. in Rep. Bot. Dept.(Hongkong) 1914: 32. 1915.
清远耳草 qing yuan er cao
Oldenlandia assimilis (Tutch.) Chun.
Herbs erect, branched, 30--40 cm tall, scabrous, woody at base; branches quadrangular. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 3 mm long; blade papery, lanceolate, 5--9 × 1.5--2.5 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, scabrous; lateral veins 4 pairs, very slender, adaxially impressed, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, ca. 3 mm long, margin usually 4--6-parted. Cymes arranged into panicles, axillary and terminal, usually shorter than leaves, several-flowered; bracts small, narrow. Flowers 4-merous, white, 6--8 mm long; pedicels 1--3 mm long. Calyx tube glabrous; lobes ovate, acute. Corolla parted; lobes lanceolate, apex obtuse, longer than tube, abaxially glabrous, adaxially and filaments bearded. Style long exserted, bearded below middle. Capsule elliptic, ca. 3 mm long including persitent calyx limb lobes, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, angled, black when dry. Fl. Apr--May.
Broad-leaved forests or on slopes in ravines. Guangdong (Qingyuan, Conghua).
29. Hedyotis tenuipes Hemsl. in Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. 23: 375. 1888.
细梗耳草 xi geng er cao
Oldenlandia tenuipes (Hemsl.) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, diffuse, subglabrous except corolla and midrib hairy; stems and branches terete, internode prolonged. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate or sessile; blade papery, narrowly lanceolate, 2.5--7 × 1--2.5 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate; midrib adaxially pubescent, lateral veins 3--4 pairs, indistinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules ovate-triangular, 2--3 mm long, apex acute, margin entire or serrulate. Cymes arranged into paniculate, effeminate, spreading, terminal and axillary, as long as leaf or longer than leaves; bracts small, very slender. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels slender, tender, 5--6 mm long. Calyx tube turbinate, 2 mm long; lobes linear-lanceolate, 1.5--2 mm long, acute. Corolla white or purple, funnelform, 6--7 mm long; tubes 2--2.5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, apex slightly obtuse, reflexed, ca. 3 times as long as corolla tube, adaxially hairy. Style glabrous, long exserted, 6--7 mm long; stigma subcapitate, ca. 2 mm long, crustaceous, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, angled, black when dry. Fl. Jun--Jul.
Sandy lands or barren soil in sparse forests. Guangdong, Fujian.
No type designated!
30. Hedyotis cathayana Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 302. 579. 1974. excl. tab. 736.
中华耳草 zhong hua er cao
Undershrubs glabrous, erect, 50--80(--100) cm tall; stems stout, quadrangular. Leaves opposite; blade papery, oblong or elliptic-oblong, 16--20 × 3--6 cm or longer, apex long acuminate, base broad and decurrent; midrib purple at beginning, abaxially to 3 mm wide, adaxially impressed, lateral veins 7--8 pairs, slender, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, 4--8 × 6--12 mm, apex acute, entire or sparsely glandular serrate. Inflorescence axillary, peduncles absent or present, paniculate or glomerulate, rarely corymbous; bracts linear- lanceolate, 1--4 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels 1--1.2 mm long. Calyx tube obovate, rarely subglobose, 1.5--2 mm long; lobes unequal in length, narrowly triangular or rotund, 2--3 mm long, apex obtuse. Corolla white or pale green, funnelform, 8--9 mm long, bearded at throat; lobes oblong, 3--4 mm long, apex obtuse. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments shorter than anthers; anthers oblong, 1.5 mm long, both ends obtuse. Style 4--6.5 mm long; stigma 2-lobes, lobes subelliptic, pubescent. Capsule 2--3 mm long, 1.5--2 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes ca. 2 times as long as capsule, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds 4--6, minute, angled, blackish brown when dry, papillose. Fl. almost year round.
On humid soil in valleys and ravines. Hainan.
31. Hedyotis loganioides Benth. Fl. Hongk. 149. 1861.
粤港耳草 yue gang er cao
Oldenlandia loganioides (Benth.) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, perennial, ca. 30 cm tall, glabrous; branches terete or indistinctly angled, slightly flattened when young. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 4 mm long; blade papery, oblong or lanceolate, 2.5--5 × 1.4--3 cm or slightly longer, both ends acute; midrib prominent abaxially, lateral veins 3--5 pairs; stipules ovate-triangular, entire at margin. Inflorescence axillary, cymes trichotomous,compact, 10--20-flowered; peduncles 14--20 mm long. Flowers 4-merous, very shortly pedicellate. Calyx lobes linear, slightly shorter than corolla. Corolla tube short and slender, glabrous. Capsule elliptic, ca. 4 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobes, 2--2.3 mm wide, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds few. Fl. unknown.
Hongkong, Guangdong.
32. Hedyotis matthewii Dunn in Journ. Bot. 47: 376. 1909.
疏花耳草 shu hua er cao
Oldenlandia matthewii(Dunn) Chun; H. Acuminatissima Merr.
Herbs erect, branched, 30--75 cm tall, glabrous except corolla, slightly woody at base; stems terete at lower part; quadrangular at upper part and when old. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 3 mm long; blade papery, usually 7 × 1--3 cm, apex long acuminate, lateral veins 3 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; adaxially impressed, veinlet few and scattered, indistinct; stipules ovate-triangular, ca. 2 mm long, margin minutely glandular serrulate or parted, apex usually trifid. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, cymes dichotomous, slightly loose, several-flowered; bracteoles linear-lanceolate, 1--1.5 mm long. Flowers 4-merous, purplish white; pedicels 2--4 mm long. Calyx tube turbinate or obovate, ca. 1 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 2--2.2 mm long, acute. Corolla cylindracal, 7--8 mm long; lobes 3 mm long, apex reflexed, adaxially hairy. Style exserted, 8 mm long. Capsule subelliptic, 3--4 mm long, crustaceous, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, minute, angled, black when dry. Fl. Jul--Nov.
Dense forests ot thickets on mountains. Guangdong.
33. Hedyotis longiexserta Merr. et Metcalf in Journ. Arn. Arb. 23: 229. 1942.
上思耳草 shang si er cao
Herbs or undershrubs erect, glabrous, unbranched, woody at base, 50 cm tall; stems terete, smooth, rather stout at lower part, slender at upper part; internodes unequal, ca. 1.5 cm at upper part, 2.5--4 cm near base. Leaves opposite, sparse; petioles 3--5 mm long; blade lanceolate or oblong- lanceolate, 5--7 × 1--1.5 cm, apex acuminate or acute, base cuneate or obtuse; lateral veins ca. 3 pairs, together with veinlet very indistinct; stipules broadly ovate, ca. 3 mm long, connate at base, apex abruptly narrowed or acute, margin indistinctly glandular-punctate. Inflorescence terminal, cymes arranged into paniculate, 7--12 cm long, first order branches opposite, racemose, scattered, 3--4 cm long, branches at upper part short and arranged slightly zigzag; bracts linear-lanceolate or linear, 0.8--1.2 cm long, slightly spreading. Flowers 4-merous, pedicellate or sessile. Calyx tube ovate, 1--1.2 mm long, glabrous; lobes triangular-ovate, ca. 0.5 mm long, acute. Corolla white; tube 1.5 mm long, glabrous abaxially, densely bearded adaxially; lobes broadly ovate, apex rotund. Capsule usually oblong, 2--2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm in diameter, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, black when dry. Fl. Jun--Jul.
On drought open fields or on mountain slopes. Guangxi (hangsi).
34. Hedyotis minutopuberula Merr. et Metcalf in Journ. Arn. Arb. 23: 229. 1942.
粉毛耳草 fen mao er cao
Herbs or undershrubs, 50 cm tall; branches terete, branchlets and inflorescence indistinctly puberulent. Leaves opposite; petioles 4--8 mm long, puberulent; blade submembranous, ovate or oblong, 4.5--5 × 0.7--2.5 cm, apex acute or indistinctly acuminate, base cuneate or decurrent, adaxially glabrous, abaxially glabrous or farinose hairy; lateral veins 3 pairs, slender, arcuate ascending, indistinct; stipules ovate or lanceolate, 2--5 mm long, apex long acuminate, margin minutely glandular serrate. Inflorescence terminal, cymes dichotomous or nearly arranged into umbellate, 1.5--4 cm long, 2--4.5 cm in diameter; bracts subulate, 2 mm long. Flowers 4-merous, pedicels 1 mm long. Calyx tube obovate, ca. 1 mm long, puberulent; lobes lanceolate, 1.5 mm long, to 2.5 mm long at fruiting. Corolla purple, abaxially glabrous, adaxially hairy, tubulate, 7 mm long; tubes ca. 6 mm long, bearded at throat; lobes obovate, 1--1.2 mm long. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube. Capsule subglobose or obovate, puberulent or subglabrous, 2 × 1.5 mm, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds 2--4, angled, black when dry. Fl. Apr--Jun.
Jungle/thickets at low elevations or on slopes of low hills. Hainan.
35. Hedyotis bracteosa Hance in Journ. Bot. 23: 323. 1885.
大苞耳草 da bao er cao
Oldenlandia bracteosa (Hance) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, stout, glabrous, 50 cm tall, with stout fibrous roots; stems quadrangular, indistinctly 4-winged, internodes ca. 1 cm. Leaves opposite, subverticilate at upper part, sessile or subsessile; blade papery, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 12--15 × 2--4 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, obtuse, base narrow or decurrent, midrib adaxially impressed, lateral veins 7 pairs, effeminate, slightly distinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, 1 cm long, 7 mm wide at base, revolute at margin, black glandulose. Inflorescence a capitulum, ca. 1.6 cm in diameter, subtended with 4 bracts at base, axillary, rarely terminal; peduncles 4--15 cm long, usually solitary; bracts 4, broadly ovate, 1.5--2.5 × 1--1.8 cm, glabrous. Flowers 4-merous, sessile, compact. Calyx tube oblong, ca. 2 mm long; lobes ovate or ovate-lanceolate, ca. 3 × 1.8--2 mm, acute, veined, sometimes minutely ciliolate. Corolla white, ca. 5 mm long, abaxially glabrous; lobes lanceolate, as long as corolla tube, apex acute, refexed. Style exserted, farinose tomentose; stigma capitate, 2-lobed. Capsule subglobose, grey, slightly shorter than persistent calyx limb lobes, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, angled, when dry black, rugose. Fl. Apr--Jul.
Sparse forests onmuontain slopes or on humid lands in valleys/ravines. Guangdong, Hongkong.
36. Hedyotis xanthochroa Hance in Journ. Bot. 23: 324. 1885.
黄叶耳草 huang ye er cao
Oldenlandia xanthochroa (Hance) Kuntze.
Herbs perennial, erect, 30--40 cm tall; stems obtusely quadrangular, shallowly vertical sulcate, tomentulose at beginning, later glabrescent. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade oblong, 4--5.5 × 1.6--2.4 cm, apex shortly acuminate, base amplexicaul, adaxially scabrous, abaxially hirtellate /hispidulous, black glandular-punctate under magnifier; lateral veins 4 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; adaxially depressed or slightly impressed, veinlet indistinct; stipules triangular-lanceolate, rigid hairy /setiferous. Cymes crowded into head-like, terminal, shortly pedunculate, sparsely long hairy; bracts foliaceous, smaller than stipules, appressed. Flowers 4-merous, subsessile. Calyx sparsely villose; lobes linear- lanceolate, ca. 6 mm long. Corolla dark purple, ca. 11 mm long, villose; tube tubulate; lobes as long as corolla tube, apex reflexed. Stamens and style exserted out of corolla tube; stigma 2-lobed; filaments glabrous. Capsule oblong when young, hairy. Fl. Jul--Aug.
On mountain slopes in valleys at middle elevations. Guangdong.
37. Hedyotis capituligera Hance in Journ. Bot. 17:12. 1879.
败酱耳草 bai jiang er cao
Oldenlandia capituligera (Hance) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, 60--80 cm tall; stems subsolitary, terete at lower part, slightly quadrangular at upper part, sparsely villose. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate; blade membranous, oblong-lanceolate, 4.5--7.5 × 1--2 cm, both ends obtuse or slightly acute, margin ciliolate, adaxially glabrous or scattered puberulent, abaxially glabrous except with short bristles along veins; lateral veins 6 pairs, very slender, distinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules 3--4 mm long, apically divided into 2--4 bristles. Flowers 4-merous, subsessile, several crowded into small capitulum, further arranged into terminal compound cymes, long pedunculate. Calyx 1.5--3 mm long, glabrous; tube globose; lobes small, triangular. Corolla white, funnelform, rigid/hard hairy at throat; lobes obtuse. Stamens and style exserted out of corolla tube. Capsule compressed orbicular, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Fl. Jul--Aug.
Open grass lands. Guangdong, Yunnan, Guizhou.
38. Hedyotis uncinella Hook. et Arn. Bot. Beech. Voy. 192. 1833.
长节耳草 chang jie er cao
H. borrenioides Champ. ex Benth.; H. kuraruensis Hayata; Oldenlandia uncinella (Hook.et Arn.) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, perennial, glabrous except corolla throat and calyx limb lobe; stems usually solitary, stout, 4-angled; internodes long. Leaves opposite, petiolate or subsessile; blade papery, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3.5--7.5 × 1--3 cm, apex acuminate, base attenute or decurrent; lateral veins 4--5 pairs, slender, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; veinlet indistinct; stipules triangular, 12 mm long, connate at base, margin sparse long serrate or parted. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, crowded into capitulum, 12--15 mm in diameter, without peduncles. Flowers 4-merous, sessile or very shortly pedicellate. Calyx tube subglobose, ca. 3 mm long, apex obtuse, glabrous or cilioate. Corolla white or purple, ca. 5 mm long; tubes ca. 3 mm long, tomentose at throat; lobes oblong-lanceolate, shorter than tube, apex subacute. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers included, linear, ca. 3 mm long, both ends truncate. Style 2 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes subelliptic, scabrous. Capsule broadly ovate, 2 mm long, 1.8--2 mm in diameter, flat at apex/top, with persistent calyx limb lobes 3 mm long, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, angled, pale brown. Fl. Apr--Jun.
On drought open field. Guangdong, Hainan, Hunan, Guizhou, Taiwan, Hongkong [India].
39. Hedyotis longipetala Merr. in Journ. Arn. Arb. 8: 18. 1927.
长瓣耳草 chang ban er cao
Oldenlandia longipetala (Merr.) Chun.
Undershrubs erect, 30--40 cm tall, many-branched, glabrous; stems stout, terete, grayish green, 4--6 mm in diameter, internodes unequal in lenghth; young branches green, quadrangular or narrowly 4-winged, internodes 1--4 cm long, together with leaves turning brown when dry. Leaves opposite; petioles 4--8 mm long; blade leathery, hard, lanceolate or linear- lanceolate, 3--8 × 4--12, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, when dry revolute at margin, rugose; midrib slender, adaxially impressed, abaxially slightly prominent, , lateral veins 2--3 pairs, indistinct; stipules leathery, ovate to oblong-ovate, hard, entire, long poited. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, 1 to several flowers fascicled when axillary, flowers crowded into a capitulum flattened globose and 1.5--2 cm in diameter when terminal. Flowers large, 4-merous, sessile or shortly pedicellate. Calyx leathery; tube ovate, ca. 3 mm long; lobes hard, lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long, long pointed, erect. Corolla white; tubes tubulate, 3.5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 11 × 1.5 mm, adaxially slightly soft hairy; filaments ca. 1 mm long; anthers ca. 2 mm long. Capsule ovate or elliptic, ca. 4 mm long, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Fl. Apr--Jun; fr. Jul--Aug.
Boad-leaved forests on mountain top or grass lands at road sides. Guangdong, Fujian.
40. Hedyotis terminaliflora Merr. et Chun in Sunyatsenia 2: 326. fig. 47. 1935.
顶花耳草 ding hua er cao
Herbs erect, subfrutescent, 50--100 cm tall, glabrous, few-branched; stems terete; branchlets slightly quadrangular at upper part, internodes 2--6 cm. Leaves opposite; petioles stout, 1--2 mm long, sometimes sessile; blade papery or subleathery, slightly brickle/fragile, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 4--8 × 1--2 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, decurrent; lateral veins ca. 4 pairs, effeminate, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules ovate, triangular at apex, acute, entire, margin minutely black glandular-punctate when dry, ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, crowded into capitulum, 1.5 cm in diameter, without peduncles, usually with bracts narrowly lanceolate, 5 mm long, and bracteoles very small. Flowers 4-merous; pedicel glabrous, 1--2 mm long. Calyx tube cylindracal, ca. 3 mm long, slightly narrowed at lower part; lobes narrowly oblong, ca. 4 × 1 mm, apex obtuse or subacute, indistinct veined. Corolla unknown. Capsule subglobose, 2.5 mm in diameter, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, angled, black when dry. Fr. Aug--Sep.
Broad-leaved forests on top of mountains; 680--1100 m. Hainan.
41. Hedyotis ovata Thunb. ex Maxim. in Bull. Acad. Sci. St. Petersb. 29: 161. 1833.
卵叶耳草 luan ye er cao
Oldenlandia ovata (Thunb.) Kuntze.
Herbs erect, glabrous, subfrutescent, ca. 90 cm tall, woody at base; branchlets effeminate, quadrangular. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 5 mm long; blade papery, ovate, 2.5--7 × 0.15--0.35 cm, both ends acute, revolute at margin; lateral veins 3--4 pairs, very slender, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules triangular, ca. 2 mm long, broad at base, margin glandular serrate. Inflorescence terminal, rarely in axils of upper leaves, several-flowered, fascicled; peduncles 9--20 mm long or absent; bracts triangular, 1.5 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels 0.5--1 mm long. Calyx tube subglobose, 1--1.5 mm in diameter, limb slightly enlarged; lobes lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long. Corolla purplish red; tubes 3--4.5 mm long; lobes small, adaxially soft hairy. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments short; anthers included. Style shorter than corolla. Capsule subglobose, 3--4 mm in diameter, flat at apex/top, with persistent calyx limb lobes longer than capsule, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds 3--4, 4-angled; testa smooth. Fl. and fr. Apr--Jul.
On humid soil rich in humus under forests. Hainan (Yaxian).
42. Hedyotis exserta Merr. in Lingnan Sci. Journ. 13: 72. 1934.
长花轴耳草 chang hua zhou er cao
Herbs erect, glabrous, woody at base, to 70 cm tall; stems terete, solitary or branched at base, erect, when young vertically sulcate, slightly compressed, rarely angled, internodes prolonged. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 5 mm long; blade papery, lanceolate, 6--11 × 1.5--3 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, adaxially densely glandular very short hirtellate, abaxially smooth; lateral veins 6 pairs, slender, indistinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules broadly triangular, 8 mm long, broad at base, margin entire or indistinct serrulat, apex caudate acuminatee. Inflorescence terminal and axillary near top of branches, cymes compact, multi-chotomous, when dry black; peduncles 1--9 cm long; bracts oblong-ovate, ca. 1 mm long. Flowers 4- or 5-merous; pedicels 2 mm long. Calyx tube turbinate, 1--15 mm long, sparsely farinose pilose, limb slightly enlarged; lobes oblong-ovate, nearly as long as calyx tube, apex obtuse or subacute. Corolla purple or nearly pink; tubes 7--10 mm long, abaxially farinose puberulent, adaxially pilose; lobes oblong-ovate, ca. 2 mm long, apex obtuse, incurved rostrate. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments very short; anthers included, linear, both ends obtuse. Style ca. 5 mm long, parted to middle, free part linear, ca. 2 mm long, hairy. Capsule subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, flat at apex/top, black when dry, with persistent calyx limb lobes ca. 1.5 mm long, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds several, angled, when dry turning blackish brown. Fl. May--Sep.
Slopes or thickets in valleys. Hainan [Vietnam].
43. Hedyotis pulcherrima Dunn in Kew Bull. Misc. Inf. Add. Ser. 10: 127. 1912.
艳丽耳草 yan li er cao
Oldenlandia pulcherrima (Dunn) Chun.
Herbs perennial, dwarf, erect, slightly woody at base, 20--30 cm tall; stems and branches terete, farinose soft hairy. Leaves opposite; petioles 4--6 mm long; blade papery, ovate, 1.5--5 × 0.5--2 cm, apex acute, blunt, base rounded, revolute at margin, glabrous except midrib adaxially puberulent; lateral veins 3--4 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib, adaxially slightly distinct, abaxially indistinct; stipules minute, reniform or triangular, ca. 1 mm long, farinose soft hairy. Inflorescence terminal on branches, without peduncles, 3--4-flowered, rarely 1-flowered; bracteoles lanceolate or spathulate, ca. 2 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels ca. 2 mm long, farinose soft hairy. Calyx 5 mm long; lobes lanceolate, longer than calyx tube. Corolla funnelform, 16 mm long, pale purple; lobes oblong, 4--6 mm long, apex acute, spreading, adaxially hairy. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat, included; anthers oblong. Style linear, slightly shorter than corolla tube; stigma 2-lobed, lobes decurved. Capsule ovate, crustaceous, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Fl. Jun--Jul.
Open fields at road sides. Guangdong (Raoping).
44. Hedyotis hainanensis (Chun) Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 305. 580. 1974.
海南耳草 hai nan er cao
Oldenlandia hainanensis Chun.
Shrubs erect, ca. 30 cm tall; branches and branchlets terete, dark brown pubescent. Leaves opposite; petioles ca. 2 mm long, dark brown soft hairy; blade papery, subelliptic or ovate, 1--2.5 × 0.8--1.5 cm, apex acute, base broadly cuneate, slightly revolute at margin when dry, glabrous or abaxially indistinct soft hairy along midrib; lateral veins ca. 3 pairs, very slender, indistinct, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules hairy, ovate, ca. 0.5 mm long, connate at base, apically 3-lobed, lobes short and narrow. Flowers 5-merous, terminal or in axils of upper leaves, usually solitary or in pair, sessile. Calyx tube ovate, ca. 2 mm long, puberulent; lobes narrowly lanceolate, 3--3.5 mm long. Corolla blue or white; tube ca. 8 mm long, abaxially glabrous, adaxially bearded; lobes oblong-lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments short; anthers included, narrowly oblong, 1.8 mm long. Capsule globose, 2 mm in diameter, sparse hirtellate /hispidulous, flat at apex, with persistent calyx limb lobes, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Fl. May--Jun.
Dense forests. Hainan (Dingan).
Sect. 3. Dimetia Wight et Arn. Prodr. 406. 1834.
3. 隆冠果组 long guan zu
Capsule septicidally dehiscent into 2 mericarps several- seeded, each mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, apex towered above limb lobes. Seeds minute, angled; placenta usually elongated, ascending from base of septum. Shrubs or undershrubs, mostly liane-like. Stipules usually divided into several aciculate spines, rarely entire.
45. Hedyotis obliquinervis Merr. in Lingnan Sci. Journ. 14: 56. 1935.
偏脉耳草 pian mai er cao
Shrubs climbing, ca. 40 cm long, stout at base, woody, slightly branched, golden yellow villose or pubescent; branchlets sulcate or indistinct obtusely angled. Leaves opposite; petioles 2--5 mm long; blade papery, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 3.5--8 × 1.2--2.5 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, hairs adaxially shorter and sparser than abaxially; lateral veins distinct, 4--5 pairs, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules connate at base, apex with 3--4 bristle-like spines 2--3 mm long. Inflorescence terminal or in axils of upper leaves, cymes spreading, arranged in corymbs, sometimes apically branched in umbellate; peduncles 3--5 cm long; bracts linear-lanceolate, 3--4 mm long. Flowers 4- (or 3)-merous; pedicel ca. 3 mm long. Calyx tube obconical, 1--1.5 mm long, limb slightly enlarged; lobes lanceolate, 2--2.5 mm long, deflexed at blooming. Corolla white or greenish white, ca. 4 mm long, abaxially subglabrous, adaxially sparsely long hairy, bearded at throat; lobes lanceolate, 2--2.5 mm long, acute, apex occasionally bearded. Stamens inserted at corolla tube base, as large as corolla lobe; anthers exserted, ovate-oblong, both ends truncate, ca. 0.8--1 mm long. Style long exserted, villose below middle; stigma capitate, 2-lobed. Capsule compressed globose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes 2--2.5 mm long, septicidally dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, apex towered above calyx limb lobes, several-seeded. Seeds minute, angled, blackish brown when dry. Fl. Dec--Mar.
Broad-leaved forests at low elevations, or thickets on hills. Hainan [S Vietnam].
46. Hedyotis ampliflora Hance in Journ. Bot. 17: 11. 1879.
广花耳草 guang hua er cao
Oldenlandia ampliflora (Hance) Kuntze.
Shrubs liane-like; old stems smooth, glabrous; young branchlets distinctly longitudinal grooved, usually hispidulous/hirtellate in grooves. Leaves opposite; petioles slightly broad, 2--5 mm long; blade papery, lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 3.5--7 × 1.5--3 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, adaxially sparsely strigose along midrib, abaxially hirsute, rarely glabrous; lateral veins distinct, 3--4 pairs, ascending in a very sharp angle with midrib, nearly straight; stipules hairy or glabrous, connate at base, broad, apex lacerate into 3--5 bristle-like lobes. Inflorescence terminal, cymes arranged in corymbous; peduncles 2--3.5 cm long; bracts minute or absent. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels 1--3 mm long. Calyx tube semuglobose or turbinate, 1--1.4 mm long; lobes lanceolate, pinnately veined, as long as or slightly longer than calyx tube, apex acute, reflexed after flowering. Corolla white or greenish white, tubulate, ca. 3 mm long, farinose soft hairy, densely white rigid hairy/hirsute? at throat; lobes lanceolate, longer than corolla tube, apex incurved. Stamens inserted near base of corolla tube; filaments 0.8--1 mm long; anthers exserted, suboblong, both ends obtuse. Style slightly exserted, white soft hairy; stigma thick, bifid. Capsule globose, slightly flattened, 2--2.5 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely hairy, projecting at apex/top, with persistent calyx limb lobes 2--2.5 mm long, reflexed, at maturity dehiscent into 2 mericarps; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, angled, blackish brown when dry. Fl. Jun--Aug.
Sparse forests or thickets on mountain slopes. Hainan.
47. Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 527. 1834.
头花耳草 tou hua er cao
Herbs large, liane-like, glabrous, pale green when dry; stems and branches terete or quadrangular. Leaves opposite; petioles 2.5--3.5 mm long; blade membranous, ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, 4--10 × 1.5--3 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, smooth; lateral veins 4 pairs, very slender and distinct; stipules very short and broad, acute or serrulate. Inflorescence usually terminal, trichotomous, pyramidal, with branches apart from each other, spreading flatly; peduncles ca. 5 cm long. Flowers 4-merous, sessile, crowded into a small head 6 mm in diameter. Calyx small, campanulate; lobes oblong, acute. Corolla white, tubulate; lobes oblong, adaxially bearded. Capsule globose, 2--3 mm in diameter, projecting at top, septicidally dehiscent into 2 carpels at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part. Seeds many, minute, angled. Fl. May.
Broad-leaved forests in valleys. Yunnan [India, Malaysia, Indonesia].
1a. Plants glabrous 47a. H. capitellata var. capitellata
1b. Plants hairy or partially hairy.
2a. Branchlet, inflorescence, calyx, and leaf blade abaxially or adaxially and abaxially sparsely pubescent 47b. H. capitellata var. mollis
2b. Plants densely pale yellow tomentose 47c. H. capitellata var. mollissima
47a. Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G. Don var.capitellata
头状花耳草 tou zhuang hua er cao
Oldenlandia rubioides Miq.; O. capitellata (Wall. ex. G. Don)Kuntze; O. capitellata var. glabra Pitard.
Plants glabrous. Fl. May.
Broad-leaved forests in valleys. Yunnan [India, Malaysia, Indonesia].
47b. Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G. Don var. mollis (Pierre ex Pitard) Ko comb. nov.
疏毛头状花耳草 shu mao tou zhuang hua er cao
Oldenlandia capitellata (Wall. ex G. Don) Kuntze var. mollissima Pitard.
Branchlet, inflorescence, calyx, and leaf blade abaxially or adaxially and abaxially sparsely pubescent. Fl. Apr--Jul.
Broad-leaved forests at middle elevations. Yunnan (Hekou) [India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia].
Name not valid?
47c. Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G. Don var. mollissima (Pitard) Ko, comb.nov.
绒毛头状花耳草 rong mao tou zhuang hua er cao
Oldenlandia capitellata (Wall. ex G. Don) Kuntze var. mollissima Pitard in Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 3: 138. 1922.
Plants densely pale yellow tomentose. Fl. almost year round.
Sunny mountain slopes at middle to high elevations. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [Vietnam].
Name invalid?
48．Hedyotis scandens Roxb. Fl. Ind. ed. Carey 1: 369. 1820.
攀茎耳草 pan jing er cao
Oldenlandia scandens (Roxb.) Kuntze.
Shrubs many-branched, liane-like, glabrous except flowers; young branches compressed terete, later terete, grayish brown. Leaves opposite; blade subleathery, oblong- lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, usually 5--10 × 3--4 cm or inferior, apex long acuminate, sometimes caudate long acute, base cuneate; lateral veins 4--5 pairs, very effeminate, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules membranous, connate at base, entire at upper part, with a mucro at apex, ciliolate. Cymes arranged into spreading panicles, terminal, rarely axillary. Flowers 4-merous; peduncles 2--3 mm long. Calyx tube obconical, ca. 1 mm long; lobes ovate, nearly as long as calyx tube, acute. Corolla white or yellow, tubulate, 6 mm long; lobes oblong, ca. 4 × 1--1.2 mm, reflexed, adaxially bearded. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube; filaments hairy below middle part; anthers 1.2 mm long. Style ca. 4 mm long, slightly shorter than stamen, villose at middle; stigma 2-lobed, lobes 2 mm long. Capsule compressed globose, projecting at apex/top, 3--5 mm long and wide, with persistent calyx limb lobes short, septicidally dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, several-seeded. Seeds minute, angled, black when dry. Fl. Jul--Aug.
Sparse forests or on humid soil in valleys. Yunnan [India, Vietnam].
49. Hedyotis dianxiensis Ko in Journ. S. China Agr. Univ. 16(4): 44. 1995.
滇西耳草 dian xi er cao
Liana large, villose or pubescent except corolla, hairs pale yellow when dry; internode 4--10 cm long. Leaves opposite; petioles 1.5--2 mm long; blade papery, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 4--7 × 0.6--1.5 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate or broadly cuneate; veins distinct, lateral veins 3--4 pairs, slender; stipules broad at base, truncate, apex with aciculate spine(s) 4--6 mm long. Inflorescence terminal and in axils of upper leaves, a capitulum of 15--30 flowers shortly pedicellate, 1--2 cm in diameter; peduncles 1--1.5 cm long. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx tube subglobose, ca. 4 mm long; lobes oblong, 2 mm long. Corolla abaxially glabrous, bearded at throat; tubes 2 mm long; lobes oblong, 4 mm long, reflexed, adaxially hairy at base, apex slightly acute, with short spines at sinus; filaments 0.8--1 mm long, hairy; anthers oblong, both ends obtuse, 1.2 mm long. Style long exserted, 8 mm long, villose at middle, slightly inflated; stigma 2-lobed, slightly thickened. Capsule subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, with long pedicel, sparely short hairy, dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, top towered above calyx limb lobes. Seeds several, small, angled /angular. Fl. Feb--May.
Humid thickets at stream sides. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna).
50. Hedyotis hedyotidea (DC.) Merr. in Lingnan Sci. Journ. 13: 48. 1934.
牛白藤 niu bai teng
Spermacoce hedyotidea DC. Prodr. 4: 555. 1830; Hedyotis fruticosa Kuntze Obs. 2: 8. 1781, non Linn.; H. macrostemon Hook. et Arn.; H. recurva Benth.; Oldenlandia macrostemon Kuntze; H. esquirolii Lévl.
Shrubs liane-like, 3--5 m long, scabrous; young branches quadrangular, farinose soft hairy, old branches terete. Leaves opposite; petioles 3--10 mm long, adaxially sulcate; blade membranous, oblong or ovate, 4--10 × 2.5--4 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base cuneate or obtuse, adaxially scabrous, abaxially soft hairy; lateral veins 4--5 pairs, effeminate, ascending, adaxially impressed, abaxially slightly prominent; stipules 4--6 mm long, apex truncate, 4--6 spinous hairy. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, 10--20 flowers crowded into an umbel; peduncles 2.5 cm or slightly longer, puberulent. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels ca. 2 mm long. Calyx puberulent; tube turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm long; lobes linear-lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm long, acute, reflexed, usually with 2--3 indistinct bristles at sinus?. Corolla white, tubulate, 10--15 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 4--4.5 mm long, reflexed, abaxially glabrous, adaxially sparsely long hairy. Stamens dimorphic, included or exserted, included in long-styled flowers, exserted in short-styled flowers; filaments bearded at base; anthers linear, bifid at base; stigma 2-lobed, lobes 1 mm long, hairy. Capsule subglobose, ca. 3 mm long, 2 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes reflexed, septicidally dehiscent into 2 mericarps at maturity; mericarp vertically dehiscent at ventral part, apex/top towered above calyx limb lobes. Seeds several, minute, angled. Fl. Apr--Jul.
Thickets in ravines or slopes on hills at low to middle elevations. Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunan, Guizhou, Fujian, Taiwan [Vietnam].
Sect 4. Euoldenlandia K. Schum. in Engl. et Prantl Pflanzenfam. IV(4): 25. 1891.
4. 真耳草组 zhen er cao zu
Capsule minute, usually membranous, twin, smooth, apex loculicidal. Seeds angled, smooth. Herbs scattered, branch, usually effeminate; stipules spiny separated. Corolla tube short, rarely extending; anther usually exserted.
51. Hedyotis umbellata (Linn.) Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1: 272. 1792.
伞形花耳草 shan xing hua er cao
Oldenlandia umbellata Linn.
Herbs diffuse, 20--40 cm tall; young branches quadrangular, green, hairy, old branches terete, glabrescent, grey. Leaves opposite or crowded into cespitose, sessile; blade leathery, linear, 10--19 × 1--3 mm, apex acuminate or acute, base obtuse, smooth or scabrous, revolute at margin; midrib adaxially impressed, lateral veins indistinct; stipules broad at base, upper part divided into several aciculate spines 4--5 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, sometimes axillary, umbel several-flowered; peduncles slender, 1--1.5 cm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicel linear, 1--1.2 mm long. Calyx tube subglobose, ca. 1 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 2.5 mm long, ciliate. Corolla tubulate, ca. 4 mm long; tubes 2 mm long; lobes lanceolate, as long as corolla tube, abaxially slightly hairy, adaxially glabrous. Stamens inserted at base of corolla tube. Style 5 mm long, glabrous; stigma 2-lobed, lobes linear, ca. 1 mm long. Capsule compressed globose, 4--5 mm long including persistent calyx limb lobes, ca. 3 mm wide, at maturity loculicidally dehiscent at top /apex, many-seeded. Seeds minute, blackish brown when dry.
Sandy lands at sea beaches. Hainan (Lingshui) [India, Sri Lanka, Java, N Myanmar, Vietnam].
52. Hedyotis chereevensis (Pierre ex Pitard) Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 306, 579. 1974.
越南耳草 yue nan er cao
Oldenlandia chereevensis Pierre ex Pitard in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. Indo-Chine 3: 143. fig. 14, 7. 1922.
Herbs erect, 30--70 cm tall; stems quadrangular; branches effeminate; node scabrous and hairy. Leaves opposite; petioles 1--2 mm long; blade membranous, ovate or elliptic, 2--4.5 × 1--1.5(--3) cm or sometimes longer, apex acuminate, base cuneate or subrotund, decurrent, pubescent; lateral veins 5--7 pairs, slender, ascending in a sharp angle with midrib; stipules ovate-lanceolate, 3--5 mm long, connate at base, apex aristate, margin parted. Inflorescence terminal or in axils of upper leaves, cymes dichotomous; peduncles effeminate, 1--2 cm long; bracts lanceolate, 0.8--1 mm long. Calyx tube obconical, 0.5 mm long; lobes subtriangular, 0.3 mm long. Corolla white, tubulate, 1.2--1.5 mm long; lobes oblong-lanceolate, ca. 0.5 mm long. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments short, 0.3--0.5 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, ca. 0.5 mm long, both ends truncate. Style 1--1.5 mm long, glabrous; stigma 2-lobed, slightly thick. Capsule obconical or turbinate, 1.5--2 mm long, 1--1.5 mm in diameter, membranous, projecting atop/ apex , with persistent calyx limb lobes minute, at maturity loculicidally dehiscent at top /apex, ca. 10-seeded. Seeds angled, dark brown when dry. Fl. May--Jul.
On humid humus soil under forests. Hainan [Vietnam].
53. Hedyotis ovatifolia Cav. Ic. Pl. 6: 52. t. 573, f. 1, 1801.
矮小耳草 ai xia er cao
Oldenlandia nudicaulia Roth; O. ovatifolia (Cav.) DC. Gonotheca ovatifolia (Cav.) Sant. et Wagn.; Thecagonum ovatifolium (Cav.) Babu.
Herbs erect, dwarf, pubescent except inflorescences and capsules; stems slender, effeminate, at lower part usually without leaves or rarely with a pair of small leaves. Leaves 4-verticilate at top of stems, rarely distinctly opposite; petioles 1--5 mm long; blade membranous, elliptic or ovate, 1--3 × 0.7--1.7 cm, apex acute, base cuneate to broadly cuneate; lateral veins slender, indistinct, 5--6 pairs, ascending; stipules membranous, upper part lacerate into 2--3 aciculate spines. Cymes terminal, solitary or several terminal on peduncles; peduncles and branches slender and filiform. Flowers minute, 4-merous; pedicels slender, 8--10 mm long. Calyx tube subglobose, 1 mm long; lobes triangular, minute. Corolla ca. 3 mm long; lobes lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long, apex obtuse, stamen inserted at corolla tube throat, exserted out of corolla tube; anthers elliptic, minute. Style 1.5 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes short, divaricate. Capsule compressed globose, 2--3 mm long and wide, at maturity loculicidally dehiscent at top, many-seeded. Seeds minute, testa smooth. Fl. and fr. Jul--Aug.
Broad-leaved forests or grass lands on mountain slopes, sometimes on limestone rocks. Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan, Taiwan [India, Nepal, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand].
54. Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1: 272. 1791
伞房花耳草 shan fang hua er cao
Herbs annual, effeminate, diffuse, 10--40 cm tall; stems and branches quadrangular, glabrous or sparsely pubescent along angles; branches many, erect or trailing. Leaves opposite, subsessile; blade membranous, linear, rarely narrowly lanceolate, 1--2 × 0.1--0.3 cm, apex acute, base cuneate, revolute at margin when dry, slightly scabrous or adaxially very sparsely pubescent along midrib; midrib impressed adaxially, depressed or slightly prominent abaxially; stipules membranous, sheath-like, 1--1.5 mm long, apex with several spines. Inflorescence axillary, arranged in corymbous, 2--4-flowered, rarely reduced into 1-flowered; peduncles slender, filiform, 5--10 mm long; bracts minute, subulate, 1--1.2 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicels slender, 2--5 mm long. Calyx tube globose, very sparsely soft hairy, slightly narrow at base, 1--1.2 mm in diameter; lobes narrowly triangular, ca. 1 mm long, ciliate. Corolla white or pink, tubulate, 2.2--2.5 mm long; lobes oblong, shorter than corolla tube. Stamens inserted at corolla tube; filaments very short; anthers included, oblong, 0.6 mm long, both ends truncate. Style 1.3 mm long, sparsely hairy at middle; stigma 2-lobed, lobes slightly broad, scabrous. Capsule membranous, globose, 1.2--1.8 mm in diameter, with several indistinct longitudinal ridges, flat at top, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1--1.2 mm long, loculicidally dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds more than 10 in each cell, angled, testa smooth, when dry dark brown. Fl. and fr. almost year round.
Paddy fields and ridges of farm lands or humid grass lands. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Szechwan [Tropic Asia, Africa, America].
1a. Stems quadrangular,
glabrous or sparsely pubescent along angles
54a. H. corymbosa var. corymbosa
1b. Stems terete, farinose puberulent 54b. H. corymbosa var. tereticaulis
54a. Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) Lam. var. corymbosa
伞房花耳草 shan fang hua er cao
Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn. Sp. Pl. 119. 1753; Pharaceum incanum Lour.; O. hurmanniana G. Don.
Stems quadrangular, glabrous or sparsely pubescent along angles. Fl. and fr. almost year round.
Paddy fields and ridges of farm lands or humid grass lands. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Szechwan [Tropic Asia, Africa, America].
54b. Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) Lam. var. tereticaulis Ko in Fl. Hainanica 3: 308，580. 1974.
圆茎耳草 yuan jing er cao
Stems terete, farinose puberulent. Fl. almost year round.
On ridges of farm lands and humid open fields. SW & S China.
55. Hedyotis taiwanensis S. F. Huang et J. Murata in Taiwania 32: 214. 1987. (as ‘taiwanese')
单花耳草 dan hua er cao
Herbs prostrate or decumbent; branches emerging at base of stem, angled. Leaves opposite; blade thickly papery, ovate, 8--12 × 4--6 mm, apex acuminate, blunt, base obtuse or cuneate, subsessile or very shortly petiolate, leaves small and bract-like at upper part of branches; stipules triangular, 1 mm long, rigid hairy/setiferous. Flowers solitary in axils of upper leaves; pedicel 9--21 mm long at fruiting. Calyx 2 mm long; lobes 4 or 5, ovate-triangular, abaxially rigid hairy/setiferous. Corolla 1.7 mm long; lobes 4, triangular-ovate, 1 mm long, abaxially rigid hairy/setiferous, adaxially sparsely long hairy. Stamens 4, inserted at base of corolla tube; filaments 0.2 mm long, connective protruded. Style 5 mm long; stigma emarginate or bifid. Fruit ellipsoid, 5 mm long, 2.5 mm in diameter, loculicidally dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds blackish brown, angled, minutely foveolate. Fl. unknown.
Sea sides or sandy lands or wastelands near sea. Taiwan.
56. Hedyotis herbacea Linn. Sp. Pl.102. 1753.
丹草 dan cao
Oldenlandia herbacea (Linn.) Roxb.; O. heynii G. Don.
Herbs annual or biennial, erect, 10--40 cm tall; stems 4-angled, dichotomous; branches slender, internodes long. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade linear or linear-lanceolate, 1--2.5 × 0.1--0.3 mm, apex acute, revolute at margin when dry; midrib depressed adaxially; stipules indistinct, connate at base, apex subulate or shortly setaceous. Flowers 4-merous, usually solitary, rarely in pair axillary at peduncles; peduncles linear, 13--15 mm long, farinose soft hairy; bracts minute. Calyx tube subglobose, slightly narrowed at base, 1.8--2 mm long; lobes narrowly triangular, 2.5--2.8 mm long, fimbriate serrulate. Corolla white or reddish or pale purple, tubulate, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous at throat; lobes oblong, ca. 2 mm long, apex acute. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments ca. 0.5 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, 1.5 mm long, both ends obtuse. Style 5 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes linear. Capsule globose, smooth, 2--2.5 mm in diameter, projecting at top, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1.2 mm long, loculicidinally dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds several in each cell, dark brown when dry, foveolate. Fl. and fr. Mar--Apr.
On humid rocks. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Jiangxi [Tropical Africa and Asia].
57. Hedyotis diffusa Willd. Sp. Pl. 1: 566. 1797.
白花蛇舌草 bai hua she er cao
H. herbacea Lour.; Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb.; O. herbacea Linn. var. uniflora Benth.
Herbs annual, glabrous, slender, diffuse, 20--50 cm tall; stems slightly flattened, branched at base. Leaves opposite, sessile; blade membranous, linear, 1--3 × 0.1--0.3 mm, apex acute, usually revolute at margin when dry, adaxially smooth, abaxially sometimes scabrous; midrib adaxially impressed, lateral veins indistinct; stipules 1--2 mm long, connate at base, apex aristate. Flowers 4-merous, solitary or binate in leaf axils; pedicels slightly stout, 2--5(--10) mm long, rarely sessile. Calyx tube globose, 1.5 mm long, apex acuminate, ciliate. Corolla white, tubulate, 3.5--4 mm long; tubes 1.5--2 mm long, glabrous at throat; lobes ovate- oblong, ca. 2 mm long, apex obtuse. Stamens inserted at corolla tube throat; filaments 0.8--1 mm long; anthers exserted, oblong, as long as or slightly longer than filament. Style 2--3 mm long; stigma 2-lobed, lobes spreading, papilose punctate. Capsule membranous, compressed globose, 2--2.5 mm in diameter, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1.5--2 mm long, loculicidally dehiscent at top at maturity. Seeds ca. 10 in each cell, angled, dark brown when dry, deeply and thickly foveolate. Fl. spring.
Paddy fields, ridges of farm lands, humid open fields. Guangdong, Hongkong, Guangxi, Hainan, Anhui, Yunnan [Tropic Asia, westwards to Nepal, Japan].
58. Hedyotis trinervia (Retz.) Roem. et Schult. Syst. Veg. 3: 197. 1818.
三脉耳草 san mai er cao
Oldenlandia trinervia Retz. Obs. Bot. 4: 23. 1786; H. rotundifoia DC.
Herbs annual, glabrous or hairy; stems prostrate, many- branched. Leaves opposite; petioles 0.5 mm long or subsessile; blade nearly papery, ovate, elliptic to rotund, usually 3--8 cm long, apex obtuse or mucronulate, base slightly decurrent; lateral veins 2 or 3 pairs, lowest pair arising from base/basiveined, glabrous except pubescent along margin; petioles 0.5 mm long, subsessile; stipules 2-parted, lobes narrow, acuminate, pilose. Flowers usually solitary or 2--4 fascicled in leaf axils; pedicel very short or sessile. Calyx hairy; lobes 4, ca. 1.2 mm long. Corolla rotate, 4-parted, adaxially glabrous. Capsule with pedicel 1--1.5 mm long, turbinate, 1.5 mm in diameter, (soft) hairy, crowned with persistent distant calyx limb lobes, loculicidally dehiscent at top at maturity, several-seeded. Seeds minute, angled, turning black when dry. Fl. and fr. Oct to Mar.
Sparse forests on mountains. Hainan (Ledong) [N Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Tropic Africa].
Sect. 5. Gonotheca Meissn. Gen. Comm. 114. 1835.
5. 角果组 jao guo zu
Fruit ovate or turbinate, 4-angled or 4-winged; pericarp membranous, uneasily dehiscent. Seeds globose, deeply and thickly foveolate. Herbs, subfleshy, glabrous, trailing, many-branched.
59. Hedyotis pterita Bl. Bijdr. 972. 1826.
翅果耳草 chi guo er cao
Oldenlandia pterita (Bl.) Miq.; Gonotheca blumei DC.; O. alata Hook. f.
Herbs slightly stout, erect, glabrous, 5--30 cm tall; young branches green, fleshy, quadrangular, old branches subterete, grey to white. Leaves opposite; petioles 2--10 mm long; blade membranous, oblong or elliptic, 1--4 × 0.4--1.4 mm, apex acute or obtuse, base cuneate, slightly decurrent; lateral veins effeminate, indistinct; stipules membranous, 1--2 mm long, apex truncate or serrulate. Flowers 4, shortly pedicellate, 1 or 4 fascicled in leaf axils or terminal; peduncles 5--15 mm long. Calyx tube cupulate, 4-winged; lobes ovate, ca. 1 mm long, acute, ciliolate. Corolla white; tubes globose, ca. 1 mm in diameter, abaxially soft hairy; lobes very narrow, as long as corolla tube. Stamens very small; filament absent. Style 0.7 mm long; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit turbinate, 4-winged, 5--8 × 3--5 mm, crowned with cupulate calyx limb lobed; pericarp membranous. Seeds very small. Fl. Jul--Oct.
Thickets or slightly shaded wastelands. Guangdong, Guangxi [Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam].
60. Hedyotis biflora (Linn.) Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1: 272. 1791.
双花耳草 shuang hua er cao
Oldenlandia biflora Linn. Sp. Pl. 119. 1753; O. paniculata Linn.; H. racemosa Lam.; O. crassifolia DC.
Herbs annual, glabrous, effeminate, 10--50 cm tall, erect or trailing, usually many-branched; stems quadrangular, slightly fleshy, gradually terete, gray. Leaves opposite; petioles 2--5 mm long; blade fleshy, membranous when dry, oblong or elliptic-ovate, 1--4 × 0.3--1 mm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate or decurrent; lateral veins indistinct; stipules membranous, 2 mm long, connate at base, aristate at apex. Inflorescence subterminal or in axils of upper leaves, 3--8-flowered, sometimes arranged into paniculate; peduncles 8--18 mm long; bracts 2--3 mm long, lanceolate. Flowers 4-merous; pedicel slender, 6--10 mm long. Calyx tube turbinate, 1--1.2 mm long; lobes subtriangular, 0.5 mm long, apex acute. Corolla tubulate, 2.2--2.5 mm long; tubes very short, 1 mm long, sparsely long hairy at throat; lobes oblong, 1.2--1.5 mm long, apex acute. Stamens inserted at corolla tube; filament absent; anthers included, ellipsoid, 0.3--0.5 mm long. Style 0.8--1 mm long, hairy above middle; stigma 2-lobed. Capsule membranous, turbinate, 2.5--3 mm in diameter, with 2 or 4 projecting longitudinal angles, with persistent calyxcalyx limb lobes small and distinct, loculicidally dehiscent at maturity. Seeds many, black when dry, foveolate. Fl. Jan--Jul.
On limestone mountains. Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunan, Jiangsu, Taiwan [Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Indonesia to Polynesia].
新耳草属 xin er cao shu
Erect or prostrate herbs. Leaves opposite, ovate or lanceolate; stipules interpetiolar. Flowers small, in axillary or terminal lax cymes or heads. Calyx tube compressed; lobes of calyx limb erect or reflexed, usually with broad lacuna?. Corolla funnelform or tubulate, throat glabrous or sparsely villous; lobes 4, usually shorter than corolla tube, valvate in bud. Stamens 4, inserted in corolla tube throat; filaments short or prolonged; anthers dorsifixed, linear-oblong, exserted or included. Disc indistinct. Ovary 2-celled, rarely 3- or 4-celled, ovules several per cell, inserted on ascending placenta at septum near base; style linear; stigmas 2 to 4, linear. Capsule binate, laterally compressed, leathery or membranous, crowned by persistent calyx limb lobes, loculicidal dehiscent at maturity, rarely indehiscent. Seeds 1 to several per cell, rarely many, peltate, navicular or plano-convex, rarely winged, scabrously foveolate; embryo clavate, embedded in corneous albumen.
About 30 species mainly in tropical Asia and Australia. 8 species and 1 variety in China.
1a. Herbs erect; stem sometimes decumbent at base.
2a. Annual dwarf herbs, 10--20 cm tall, glabrous; stem multi-branched, emerged at base. Corolla purple 1. N. calycina
2b. Perennial herbs, 70-100 cm, hairy , smelly; stem few-branched or unbranched, becoming black when dry. Corolla white 2. N. ingrata
1b. Herbs prostrate or diffuse.
3a. Plant crisped soft hairy;
leaves fleshy when fresh
3. N. boerhaavioides
3b. Plant glabrous or hairy not as above; leaves not fleshy when fresh.
4a. Plant glabrous; inflorescence several-flowered. in expanding paniculate; stipules pectinate 4. N. thwaitesiana
4b. Plant hairy.
5a. Cymes usually several crowded in heads, rarely solitary. Flowers sessile.
6a. Inflorescence without peduncle, usually with 2 foliaceous minute bracts 5. N. wightiana
6b. Inflorescence with peduncle 6. N. hirsuta
5b. Cymes lax, not crowded in heads. Flowers with short pedicels.
7a. Herbs, decumbent at lower part, upper part ascending. Inflorescence with bracts digitate laniate. Capsule compressed globose 7. N. formosana
7b. Herbs creeping, rooting at nodes of lower part. Inflorescence without bracts digitate laniate. Capsule subglobose 8. N. kwangtungensis
1. Neanotis calycina (Wall. ex Hook. f.) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 37. 1966.
紫花新耳草 zi hua er cao
Anotis calycina Wall. ex Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 73. 1880.
Annual herbs, erect，subglabrous; stem slender, sulcate/grooved striate, 10--20 cm, usually branched near base. Petioles very short, 1--3 mm long; leaf blade lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, very unequal, smallest ones 1 × 0.5 cm, largest ones 2--3.5 × 1.5 cm, usually 2--2.5 × 0.7--1 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate, sparsely appressed pubescent adaxially, glabrous abaxially, margin ciliate; midrib depressed adaxially, slightly prominent abaxially; lateral veins ca. 3 pairs, indistinct; stipules with many/several short bristles at each sides. Cymes terminal or axillary. Peduncle slender, 1--2.5 cm long. Flowers sessile or with short pedicels, 3--4 mm long in lateral flowers, 3.5--4 mm long in blooming/anthesis. Calyx 1--1.5 mm long; lobes nearly as long as tube. Corolla pale purple, 3 mm long; lobes lanceolate, shorter than corolla lobes, apex acuminate. Stamens inserted in corolla tube throats; filaments very short; anthers included. Ovary 2--celled; style filiform, exserted; stigma 2, linear, hairy. Capsule compressed globose, apex truncate, 1.5--2 × 3 mm, crowned by persistent calyx limb lobes; pedicels slender, linear, 2--7 mm long. Seeds 9--10, plano-convex, dark brown, tiny,; testa scabrous, reticulate. Fl. Sep--Oct.
At strem sides, on slightly shady mountain slopes or in valleys; 1100--1700 m. Yunnan.
2. Neanotis ingrata (Wall. ex Hook. f.) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 39. 1966.
臭味新耳草 chou wei er cao
Anotis ingrata Wall. ex Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 71. 1880.
Perennial herbs, 0.7--1 m tall, smelly; stems distinctly ridged or sulcate, few-branched or unbranched, erect or decumbent at lower part, glabrous or hairy at nodes. Leaves with blade ovate-lanceolate, rarely ovate or elliptic, 4--9 × 1.4--3.4 cm, apex acuminate, base attenuate, margin ciliate, pilose on both surfaces, usually becoming black when dry; midrib depressed abaxially; lateral veins slender, 7--9 pairs, indistinct; stipules apically divided into several setiform lobes 10--15 mm long, ciliate. Inflorescences terminal or subterminal, pleiochasium, pedunculate. Flowers with short pedicels or sessile. Calyx 2.5 mm long at blooming; lobes of calyx limb reflexed, longer than calyx tube, lanceolate, margin ciliate. Corolla white, 4--5 × 4 mm; lobes oblong, apex obtuse. Stamens and styles exserted. Capsule nearly compressed globose, usually glabrous, several-seeded per cell. Seeds small, dark brown, plano-convex, minutely verrucate. Fl. Jun--Sep.
Grass slopes on river banks or forests on mountain slopes; above 1000 m. Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Xizhang [India, Nepal].
Plants from Sichuan (Baoxin, Qijiang), with individuals shorter than 40 cm and leaf blade narrowly ovate, 1.5--2.5 × 0.7--1 cm, have been called Neanotis ingrata (Wall. ex Hook. f.) W. H. Lewis f. parvifolia How ex Ko (J. South China Agr. University 16 (4): 46. 1995).
3. Neanotis boerhaavioides (Hance) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 37. 1966.
卷毛新耳草 juan mao xin er cao
Hedyotis (Oldenlandia) boerhaavioides Hance in Journ. Bot. 8: 73. 1870; Anotis boerhaavioides (Hance) Maxim.
Annual herbs, slender, diffuse; stems with crisped soft hairs. Leaves fleshy when fresh; petiolates slender, shorter than 1 cm; blade triangular ovate, unequal in size, larger ones 3--4 × 3.5 cm, small ones 1--1.5 × 0.4--0.6 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate, hairy denser abaxially than adaxially, margin ciliate; midrib slender; lateral veins 4--5 pairs, distinct abaxially, arcuate ascending, veinlets indistinct; stipule membranous, apically divided in ciliate. Cymes several-flowered, compact in heads, solitary, axillary and terminal, or several ones in expanding cymose. Calyx tube subglobose, tiny, hairy; lobes of calyx limb oblong, acute, spreading, enlarged in fr.. Corolla shortly funnelform, ca. 6 mm long; lobes expanded. Filaments slender. Anthers linear, ca. 1 mm long. Style 2-parted. Capsule compressed globose, 3--3.5 mm in diameter, crisped hirsute, deeply grooved between cells, dark brown when dry, dehiscent at apex at maturity. Seeds several, minute, dark brown when dry, scabrous. Fl. and fr. Oct--Nov.
Sparse forests on mountain slopes at middle elevation. Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi; Hongkong.
4. Neanotis thwaitesiana (Hance) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 40. 1966.
新耳草 xin er cao
Anotis thwaitesiana Hance in Journ. Bot. 6: 298. 1868.
Herbs, ligneous at base; stem diffuse, slender, 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves submembranous, shortly petiolate; blade ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1--1.5 × 5--10 mm, apex acuminate, base cuneate or subrotund, scabrous on both surfaces and margin, slightly reflexed when dry; veins indistinct; stipule connate, subpectinate, with several linear lobes at apex, glabrous. Inflorescence axillary, several-flowered, in spreading paniculate, two to several times as long as leaves, glabrous; peduncles slender, 1.5--3 cm long; bracts linear lanceolate. Pedicels slender, 3--4 mm long. Calyx tube cupulate, 2--2.5 mm long, glabrous; lobes triangular, ca. 2 mm long. Corolla white or pale red, shortly funnelform, soft hairy abaxially, 4--5 mm long. Stamens and styles exserted; stigma clavate, bifid. Capsule compressed globose, crowned by persistent lobes of calyx limb. Seeds 6--8 per cell, minute, black, sponginess, foveolate rugose. Fl. Mar--Apr.
Wasteland or stream sides in valleys. Guangdong.
5. Neanotis wightiana (Wall. ex Wight et Arn.) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 40. 1966.
西南新耳草 xi nan er cao
Hedyotis wightiana Wall. ex Wight et Arn. Prodr. 410. 1834; Anotis wightiana (Wall. ex Wight et Arn.) Hook. f.
Perennial herbs, diffuse, dirty yellow tomentose except flowers; stem with distinct vertically ridged and deeply sulcate/grroved. Leaves very shortly petiolate or sessile; blade ovate to lanceolate, 7--25 × 5--14 mm, apex subacute, base broadly cuneate or subrotund, veins indistinct on both surfaces; lateral veins ca. 2 pairs; stipule short, deeply dentate. Cymes crowded in heads, terminal, without peduncle, usually with two foliaceous bracts. Flowers sessile or very shortly pedicelate, 2 mm long at blooming, 1.5 mm in diameter at apex. Calyx 1 mm long; lobes of calyx limb dentate. Corolla white, rarely pale red, 1.5 mm long; lobes 0.2 mm long. Anthers slightly exserted. Style included. Capsule compressed globose, 1.5 mm in diameter, deeply grooved between cells, crowned by persistent calyx limb lobes, scabrous when dry. Seeds 2--4 in per cell, plano-convex, dark brown, shiny. Fl. May, fr. Aug.
Grass slopes, road sides or banks at stream sides; 1000--1500 m. Yunnan (Pingbian), Guangxi (Damiaoshan) [India].
6. Neanotis hirsuta (Linn. f.) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 38. 1966.
薄叶新耳草 bo ye er cao
Oldenlandia hirsuta Linn. f. Suppl. 127. 1781; Hedyotis hirsuta (Linn. f.) J. E. Smith; Oldenlandia japonica Miq.; Hedyotis stipulata R. Br. ex Hook. f.; Anotis hirsuta (Linn. f.) Hochr.? Boerl. 2: 126. 1891.
Herbs creeping or diffuse, often rooting at lower part; stem slender, ridged. Petioles 4--5 mm; leaf blade ovate or elliptic, 2--4 × 1--1.5 cm, apex acute, base decurrent to petiole, both surfaces hairy or subglabrous; stipule membranous, base connate, wide and short, apex divided in setiform. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, 1- to several-flowered, usually crowded in head-like; peduncle 5--10 mm long, slender, unbranched. Flowers white or pale purple, subsessile or very shortly pedicelate. Calyx tube tubulate; lobes of calyx limb linear-lanceolate, apex reflexed, slightly longer than calyx tube. Corolla funnelform,4--5 mm long; lobes broadly lanceolate, apex acute, shorter than corolla tube. Style slightly exserted; stigma 2-lobed. Capsule compressed globose, 2--2.5 mm in diameter, apex flat, persistent lobes of calyx limb ca. 1.2 mm long. Seeds tiny, plano-convex, minutely foveolate. Fl. and fr. Jul--Oct.
Wet sites at stream sides or under forests. Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Taiwan, [India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Korea].
1a. Herbs creeping. Leaf blade
hairy or subglabrous on both surfaces. Calyx . Capsule compressed globose
6a. N. hirsuta var. hirsuta
1b. Herbs diffuse. Leaf blade
glabrous on both surfaces, margin ciliate. Calyx glabrous. Capsule turbinate
6b. N. hirsuta var. glabricalycina
6a. Neanotis hirsuta (Linn. f.) Lewis var. hirsuta
薄叶新耳草
Creeping herbs. Leaf blade hairy or subglabrous on both surfaces. Calyx . Capsule compressed globose. Fl. and fr. Jul--Oct.
Wet sites at stream sides or under forests. Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi [India].
6b. Neanotis hirsuta (Linn. f.) Lewis var. glabricalycina (Honda) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53:38. 1966.
光萼新耳草 guang er xin er cao
Oldenlandia hirsuta var. glabricalycina Honda in Bot. Mag. Tokyo 53:333. 1939; Hedyotis lindleyana Hook. ex Wight et Arn. var. glabricalycina (Honda) Hara.
Diffuse herbs. Leaf blade glabrous on both surfaces, margin ciliate. Calyx glabrous. Capsule turbinate.
Wet sites at low elevations. N Taiwan [Indo-China Peninsula (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, ?), India, Japan, Korea].
7. Neanotis formosana (Hayata) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 38. 1966.
台湾新耳草 tai wan xin er cao
Anotis formosana Hayata, Ic. Pl. Formos. 9:54. 1920.
Herbs, 10--30 cm long; Stems decumbent at loer part, upper part gradually ascending, glabrous, slender. Petiole 2--3 mm long; leaf blade papery or membranous, ovate or ovate oblong, 1--2.6 × 0.5--1.5 cm, apex acute, base obtuse or subrotund, margin entire, sparsely ciliolate, hirsute adaxially, sparsely hispidulous /hirtellate along veins abaxially; veins slender, indistinct; stipules broadly triangular, ca. 3 × 2 mm, membranous, apex laniate; lobes narrow, acute. Cymes terminal, rarely lateral; bracts digitiform laniate, 1--1.5 mm long. Flowers glabrous, lateral ones with pedicels 1--1.5 mm long, central ones sessile. Calyx subcupuliform/subcupulate, slightly narrow at lower part, 2--2.5 × 1--1.5 mm; lobes of calyx limb ovate, ca. 1.5 ×0.7 mm, apex obtuse. Corolla white, campanulate, 4--6 × 5--6 mm at blooming; lobes oblong triangular, 2.5--3 × 1.5--2 mm, distinctly veined, apex obtuse. Stamens exserted; anthers linear, 1--1.4 mm long. S tyle glabrous, 4 mm long, apex shortly 2-lobed. Capsule compressed globose, membranous, ca. 2 mm long, 3 mm in diameter, apex flat, with persistent calyx limb lobes 1--2 mm long. Seeds minute. Fl. Apr; fr. Jun.
Mountain edges of middle elevations. Taiwan[Japan, Malaysia].
8. Neanotis Kwangtungensis (Merr. et Metcalf) Lewis in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 39. 1966.
广东新耳草 guang dong xin er cao
Anotis kwangtungensis Merr. et Metcalf in Lingnan Sci. Jour. 16: 122. 1937.
Creeping herbs; stems glabrous, ridged, often rooting at nodes of lower part. Petioles slender, 6--10 mm long; leaf blade elliptic, 4--6.5 × ca. 2 cm , apex acuminate, base acute, glabrous or sparsely pubescent adaxially, shortly and sparsely ciliate at margin; veins indistinct; lateral veins 5--9 pairs, slightly distinct, depressed abaxially; stipules apically divided into several lobes linear and 2--3 mm long. Inflorescence axillary terminal on branchlets. Flowers with short pedicels, glabrous. Calyx tube cupuliform/cupulate, 1.2 mm long; limb lobes broadly triangular, nearly as long as calyx tube. Corolla 3 mm long; tubes ca. 1 mm long; lobes oblong, 2 mm long, distinctly veined. Stamens inserted in corolla throat; filaments short; anthers oblong, obtuse at ends. Style included; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit subglobose, shortly pedicelate, persistent calyx limb lobes narrowly lanceolate, reflexed. Fl. and fr. Aug--Sep.
Forests on gentle slopes or at stream sides. Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Sichuan.
螺序草属 luo xu cao shu
Herbs, rarely subshrubs, erect, ascending or decumbent. Leaves in slightly unequal or subequal opposite pairs, sometimes rosulate /pseudoverticillate; stipules interpetiolar, 2-divided or undivided. Inlorescence of terminal or sometimes axillary, scorpioid or paniculate cymes; bracts and bracteoles usually small, linear or subulate. Flowers bisexual, usually heterostylous, actinomorphic, 5-merous (carpels 2); (Hypantium ) calyx tubes obconical, subglobose to elliptic, 5-ribbed, limb 5-lobed, lobes long or small; corolla campanulate to funnelform, rarely urceolate or tubulate, (tube short or slightly long), limb 5-lobed, lobes usually with carinate appendage or narrowly wing on dorsal surface, valvate in bud; stamensa 5, usually inserted below the middle of corolla tubes and included in long-styled flowers, or inserted in throat or middle of corolla tubes and slightly or nearly exserted in long-styled flowers; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style short or long, often extending to the corolla tubes mouth or throat and rarely out of the mouth in long-styled flowers, or usually extending to the middle of corolla tubes in short-styled flowers; stigmas bifid. Capsules loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity. Seeds many, small, angled; (testa reticulate!;) embryo minute; albumen fleshy.
About 36 species in southeast Asia; 33 species in south to southwest China.
1a. Capsules subglobose or ovoid, length subequal to or slightly longer than width; valves untwisted. (Subgen. 1. Sinospiradiclis Lo)
2a. Leaves cordate to subtruncate at base
3a. Leaves small, 0.6--1.5 cm long
4a. Persistent calyx lobes 2--3 times as long as fruits (calyx tubes) 1. S.guangdongensis
4b. Persistent calyx lobes shorter than fruits (calyx tubes) 2. S. hainanensis
3b. Leaves large, usually longer than 2 cm
5a. Flowers large, corolla 23--24 mm long 3. S. umbelliformis
5b. Flowers small, corolla ca. 6 mm long 4. S. cordata
2b. Leaves not cordate or truncate at base
6a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 1.5 cm
7a. Calyx lobes nearly as long as or shorter than tubes
8a. Stems short; leaves crowded/compact and rosulate /rosette-like
8a+. Petioles 5--8 mm long; lateral nerves 15--25 pairs; coronas purplish red 5a. S. spathulata
8a-. Petioles 1--4.5 cm long; lateral nerves ca. 10 pairs; coronas white 5b. S. loana
8b. Stems prolonged; leaves sparse 6. S. scabrida
7b. Calyx lobes longer than tubes
9a. Leaves glabrous on both surfaces; flowers drak red 7. S. coccinea
9b. Leaves hairy on both surfaces or one surface, or at least hairy on margin
10a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 2.4 cm
11a. Calyx lobes equal in size; leaves black when dry, densely hispidulous (minutely hispid) on upper surface; corolla bluish purple, 2.5--2.7 cm long 8. S. purpureocaerulea
11b. Calyx lobes unequal in
size; leaves red when dry, hairy only on margin; corolla red, ca. 2.4 cm long
9. S. rubescens
10b. Flowers small, corolla shorter than 2 cm
12a. Calyx lobes unequal in length, one distinct longer, other 4 shorter
13a. Corolla pubescent outside and inside; lateral nerves 8--15 pairs 10. S. ferruginea
13b. Corolla pubescent only outside; lateral nerves ca. 7 pairs 11. S. xizangensis
12b. Calyx lobes equal or subequal in length; corolla tubes with a ring of white villose hairs inside
14a. Leaves rotund at apex;
corolla sparsely purplish red pubescent outside; stipules broad ovate
12. S. longibracteata
14b. Leaves acuminate at apex; corolla glabrous or with 5 lines of pubescent hairs outside; stipules subulate
14b+. Leaves usually lanceolate, yellowish brown on lower surface when dry; stipules and bracteoles shorter, 2--3 mm; corolla with 5 lines of pubescent hairs outside, lobes narrowly winged on dorsal surface 13a. S. howii
14b-. Leaves narrowly to broadly ovate; pale on lower surface when dry; bracteoles shorter, 5--10 mm; corolla glabrous outside; lobes without wing on dorsal surface 13b. S. napoensis
6b. Flowers small, corolla shorter than 1.5cm.
15a. Branches and inflorescence hairy.
16a. Stems short; leaves slightly crowded
16a+. Internades; ca. 2 cm; leaves attenuate at base; bracts 3--7 mm long; inflorescence sparse, with distinct pedicels 14a. S. tomentosa
16a-. Internades 1--1.5 cm; leaves truncate at base; bracts 1.2--2 mm long; inflorescence crowded, with indistinct pedicels 14b. S. chuniana
16b. Stems prolonged; leaves sparse
17a. Leaves glabrous or pilose on upper surface
18a. Capsules glabrous; flowers small, corolla shorter than 5 mm 15. S. bifida
18b. Capsules hairy; flowers large, corolla 1.1--1.2 cm long
19a. Calyx lobes longer than tubes 16. S. fusca
19b. Calyx lobes shorter than tubes 17. S. corymbosa
17b. Leaves densely hairy on both surfaces or only on upper surface
20a. Capsules villose; persistent calyx lobes much longer than fruit 18. S. villosa
20b. Capsules almost glabrous, persistent calyx lobes much shorter than fruit 19. S. petrophila
15b. Branches and inflorescence glabrous.
21a. Leaves small, usually 1--3 cm long, lateral nerves 4--6 pairs, rarely 7 pairs 20. S. microphylla
21b. Leaves large, longer than 5 cm; lateral nerves more than 7 pairs
22a. Leaves obovate, length ca. 2 times as long as width or shorter
23a. Stipules long triangular,
apex subacuminate; leaves fascicled; internodes short or indistinct
21. S. luochengensis
23b. Stipules suborbicular or
triangularsuborbicular, apex cuspidate; leaves sparse; internodes distinct
22. S. longipedunculata
22b. Leaves narrowly oblong or narrowly oblong oblanceolate, length ca. 3.5--4.5 times as long as width; stipules long triangular; leaves sparse; internodes distinct 23. S. oblanceolata
1b. Capsules elliptic or linear oblong. (Subgen. 2. Spriadiclis)
24a. Capsules elliptic, length ca. 2 times as long as width.
25a. Leaves and capsules glabrous.
26a. Stems with 2 lines of dense hispidulous hairs 24. S. malipoensis
26b. Stems glabrous or with scattered hairs
27a. Leaves larger, 15--21 cm long; lateral nerves 16--23 pairs 25. S. longzhouensis
27b. Leaves smaller, 10--15 cm long; lateral nerves 9--11 pairs 26. S. laxiflora
25b. Leaves hairy on both surfaces or on lower surface.
28a. Capsules glabrous, persistent calyx lobes longer than fruit 27. S. baishaiensis
28b. Capsules crisped villose, persistent calyx lobes shorter than fruit 28. S. emeiensis
24b. Capsules linear oblong, length ca. 3 times as long as width, glabrous
29a. Branches and leaf veins on lower surfacehairy 29. S. caespitosa
29b. Branches and leaves glabrous 30. S. microcarpa
Subgen. 1. Sinospiradiclis Lo
Capsules subglobose or ovoid, length subequal to width; valves not contorted /untwisted.
1. Spiradiclis guangdongensis H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Yunnan. 9 (3); 299, fig. 1. 1987.
广东螺序草 guang dong luo xu cao
Herbs multibranched, creeping or ascending; branches slendar and elongated, somewhat hairy, hairs curved, usually with 3--5 cells. Leaves papery, blade cordate rotund to broadly ovate, 0.7--1.5(--1.8) x 0.5--1.2 cm or slightly larger, apex subacute, base slightly cordate to broadly cuneate, margin entire, ciliate, when dry turning leaden grey, sparsely hirsute on upper surface, pale grey, usually glabrous or subglabrous on lower surface, midrib slightly prominent on both surfaces, lateral nerves 3--5 pairs, distinct on both surfaces or indistinct on upper surface; petioles 2--6 mm long, hairy; stipules 2-divided, lobes linear subulate, 2--3 mm long, subglabrous. Inflorescence terminal or sometimes axillary, 1--3-flowered; peduncles short. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long; bracteoles narrowly linear, ca. 1.7 mm long, subglabrous; calyx tubes obconical, ca. 1 mm tall, 5-ribbed, hispidulous or subglabrous, lobes 5, oblong lanceolate, ca. 2 mm or longer, slightly obtuse at apex, glabrous, with a gland between lobes; corolla white, narrowly funnelform, subglabrous outside, tubes 1.1 cm long, throat densely covered with white long hairs, lobes 5, subovate, sparsely pinninerved, ribbed on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted below throat, filaments short, anthers linear oblong, ca. 2 mm long; disc cupuliform, margin undulate, usually 3- or 4-lobed, lobes thick; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style exserted, 1.7 cm long, subglabrous; stigmas capitate, bifid, lobes scabrous thick. Capsules globular obconical, ca. 1.4 mm tall, persistent calyx lobes 2--3 times as long as fruit, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity,. Seeds many, small, angled, brown. Fl. early spring.
Dense forests or forest margins. Guangdong, Guangxi (Hechi).
2. Spriadiclis hainanensis H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Yunnan. 9 (3): 307. 1987.
海南螺序草 hai nan luo xu cao
Herbs; stems multibranched, creeping, multicellular villose; branchs slendar, rooting on nodes. Leaves thinly papery (membranaceous papery), cordate orbicular, 0.6--1 × 0.6--0.9 cm, apex broadly acute, base slightly cordate to subtruncate, when dry turning greyish black on upper surface, subglabrous, pale grey on lower surface, villose along midrib and lateral nerves, pubescent or hispidulous on other parts; lateral nerves 3--4 pairs, together with midrib prominent on lower surface, indistinct or sometimes impressed on upper surface; petioles 1--5 mm long, densely villose; stipules caducous. Flowers white. Infructescence terminal or axillary, with 1 or 2 fruits; i mmature fruit oblong ovate, ca. 2 mm, persistent calyx lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate linear, ca. 1.5 mm long, villose. Seeds many, small angled. Fl. Oct.
Dense forests. Hainan (Yaxian).
3. Spiradiclis umbelliformis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 36, fig. 1. 1986.
伞花螺序草 san hua luo xu cao
Herbs; stems and branches terete, creeping; rooting on nodes at base, densely reddish brown multicellular villose. Leaves papery, blade ovate orbicular, 1.5--4 x 1--3 cm, apex obtuse or rotund, sometimes cuspidate, base cordate, decurrent, margin entire, ciliate, upper surface olive-green, glabrous or subglabrous, lower surface pale, pilose or pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves; lateral nerves 4--6 pairs, extending nearly in an upright angle with midrib, distinct or prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--3 cm long, reddish brown villose; stipules 2-divided, lobes linear subulate, to 1 cm long.. Inflorescence terminal, umbelliform cymes, 4--10-flowered; peduncles 2--7 cm long, puberulent, with branches short and dense/numerous. Flowers subsessile, dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with calyx subglabrous, tubes turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 0.6 mm long, usually with a gland between lobes; corolla white or slightly purplish red, subfunnelform /tabulate funnelform, glabrous outside, tubes 17--18 mm long, throat expanded, with a ring of white villous hairs above the base inside, lobes 5, ovate, ca. 6 mm long, acute; stamens 5, inserted near corolla tube base, filaments ca. 0.5 mm long, anthers linear oblong, ca. 2 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 1.4 cm long, glabrous; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes linear oblong, ca. 1.5 mm long, reflexed; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in upper part of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1.2 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 2.2 mm long, included; style 2 mm long; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes lanceolate, 1.6 mm long. Capsules subglobose, 3--3.5 mm in diameter, 5-ribbed, glabrous, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Apr.
Rock rifts under forests. Guangxi, Guangdong (Ruyuan).
4. Spiradiclis cordata H. S. Lo et W. L. Sha in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 34, Pl. 4 (3). 1983.
心叶螺序草 xin ye luo xu cao
Herbs; stems absent or short, usually rosulate. Leaves papery, fascicled on short stems, blade ovate or oblong ovate, 5--13 ×. 2--5.5 cm, apex obtuse or rotund, or subacute, base cordate, pilose on upper surface, villose on lower surface, denser along veins, pale (or green) when dry; lateral nerves 15--19 pairs, joining near margin and forming a intrmarginal vein, nearly flat on upper surface, prominent on lower surface; petioles often very long, 2--7 cm long, tomentose; stipules 2-lobed, lobes aristate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, paniculate cymes, peduncules 6--16 cm long, pubescent, with 4--9 branches, 1--3 cm long; bracts linear or subulate, ca. 2 mm long. Flowers with calyx small, shorter than 1 mm, indistinct 5-ribbed, pubescent; corolla tubulate funnelform, ca. 6 mm long, pubescent outside, villose above the middle inside, lobes 5, subtriangular, distinctly carinate on dorsal surface in bud; stamens 5, inserted near middle of corolla tube, filaments and anthers 1.1--1.2 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style slightly stout, 3--3.5 mm long; stigmas 2-lobed, slightly swolln (/subcapitate). Capsules subglobose, ca. 1.8 mm in diameter, brown, pubescent, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valvea at maturity, valves broadly ellipsoid, pale yellow inside, smooth. Seeds angled. Fl. Aug.
Rocks at road sides. Guangxi.
5a. Spiradiclis spathulata X. X. Chen et C. C. Huang in Guihaia 13 (1): 3. 1993.
匙叶螺序草 shi ye luo xu cao
Herbs dwarf, usually rosulate; stems unbranched, rooting on lower part; internodes short, 3--4 mm long. Leaves densely opposite, papery, blade spathulate or ovate oblanceolate, 8--13 × 2--4.5 cm, apex obtuse or rotund, base narrowly cuneate, decurrent, margin entire, ciliate, upper surface olive green when dry, sparsely pubescent; lower surface pale, densely pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves, lateral nerves 15--25 pairs, together with midrib prominent on lower surface; petioles 5--8 mm long; stipules lanceolate linear or linear, 7--9 mm long, densely villose. Cyme terminal, 10--many-flowered; peduncles 7--12 cm long, pubescent; pedicels 2--3 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 3--4 mm long, pubescent; calyx pubescent, tubes obconical, 1.5--2 mm long, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, 1--1.3 mm long; corolla purplish red, salverform, tubes slendar, 1.5--2.5 cm long, mealy pubescent outside, with a ring of white long hairs in middle inside, lobes 5, subovate, 4--6 mm long, 2--4 mm wide; stamens 5, inserted near base of corolla tubes, filaments short, anthers linear, ca. 3 mm long; disc annular; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 2 cm long; stigmas clavate, elliptic. Fl. May.
Rocks in shady places. Guangxi (Ningming).
5b. Spiradiclis loana R. J. Wang in Novon 12: 420. 2002.
献瑞螺序草 xian rui luo xu cao
Herbs to 15 cm tall; stems erect, unbranched / simple, stout, pubescent. Leaves rosette-like / rosulate, blade oblanceolate, elliptic or obovate, 6--12 × 1.2--3 cm, acute at apex, narrowed at base, spiny pilose adaxially, glaucous abaxially; lateral nerves ca. 10 pairs, slender, alternate or subopposite, conspicuous on lower surface; petioles 1--4.5 cm long, slender, pubescent; stipules persistent, interpetiolar, 1--2 mm wide at base, bilobed or not at apex, lobes linear, 0.5--1 cm long, pubescent; internodes s ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescence a terminal cyme; peduncle 6--10 cm long, pubescent; bracts ca. 1 mm long, pubescent. Flowers heterostylous, corollas white; long-styled flowers with pedicels ; calyx tubes ca. 1 mm long, obconic, pubescent, lobes more re less as long as tube, triangular, acute, pubescent; corolla tubes 5--10 mm long, slightly enlarged at middle, puberulent outside, with a ring of long () hairs in the middle and sparsely unicellular hairy above the middle inside; lobes ca. 1 mm long, acute, pubescent adaxially; stamens ca. 3.5 mm long, adnate near the base of corolla tube; anthers ca. 1.2 mm long, linear, extending to the ring of hairs; ovaries ca. 0.6 mm long, 2-celled; style slender, ca. 7 mm long; stigmas 2-parted, ca. 0.8 mm; shortstyled flowers with calyx the same as in long-styled flower; corolla tubes ca. 5.5 mm long, pubescent inside, lobes ca. 1.2 mm long; stamens adnate near the middle of the tube, ca. 2.5 mm long, anthers situated near the throat of tube; styles ca. 3 mm long. Capsules subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, septicidal and loculicidal dehiscence at maturity. Seeds ca. 25, cylindric, angled, ca. 0.6 mm long, brown. Fl. Jul--Sep; fr. Aug--Oct.
Forests on limestone mountains, 200--280 m. Guangxi.
6. Spiradiclis scabrida D. Fang et D. H. Qin in Bull. Bot. Res. 13 (4): 333, fig. 2. 1993.
糙边螺序草 cao bian luo xu cao
Herbs, 40--50 cm tall; stems and branches terete, rooting at nodes on lower part, pubescent when young, glabrescent when old. Leaves in unequal opposite pairs, blade papery, ovate or narrowly ovate, rarely lanceolate, 2--9 × 1--3.3 cm, apex acuminate, base broadly cuneate or rotund, margin entire, oliver-green on upper surface, glabrous or occasionally very sparsely short strigose, scabrid and often sparsely short strigose near margin, yellowish green on lower surface, lateral nerves 6--9 pairs, together with midrib glabrous on upper surface, prominent and sparsely pubescent on lower surface; petioles grooved on upper surface, 2--5 mm long, usually pubescent; stipules subtriangular, 0.7--1 mm long, subglabrous, usually caducous. Inlorescence a terminal corymbose cyme, once branched, 3--24-flowered; peduncles 0.6--2.7 cm long, pubescent; pedicels 0--2 mm long, mealy hairy; bracteoles linear, 2--5 mm long, glabrous; calyx mealy hairy, tubes nearly obovate, 1--1.5 mm long, lobes 5, ovate lanceolate, slightly unequal, 1--1.5 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla white, pinkish or purplish, salverform, glabrous on both surfaces, tubes slendar, 25--26 mm long, throat slightly expanded, lobes 5, ovate, 3.5 mm long; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube throat, filaments very short, anthers linear, 3 mm long, included; disc annular; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style 19 mm long, glabrous; stigmas 3 mm long, bifid, lobes linear. Short-styled flowers unseen. Capsules subglobose, 3--4 mm in diameter, glabrous, dehiscence into 4 valves. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Dec; fr. Mar--Apr.
Rocks in forests; 810--1200 m. Guangxi (Napo).
7. Spiradiclis coccinea H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 38. 1986.
红花螺序草 hong hua luo xu cao
Herbs erect, ca. 40 cm tall; stems and branches terete, greyish brown when dry, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves papery, blade narrowly oblong or oblong, 4.5--9 × 1.3--3 cm, apex obtuse, base cuneate, entire, greyish brow on upper surface n, greyish yellow on lower surface, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib shallowly grooved on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 6--7 pairs, petiole short or subsessile; stipules subulate, broad at base, long acuminate at apex. Cyme terminal, ca. 1 cm long, with more than 10 flowers, branches 3--4 mm long, peduncules very short. Flowers dimorphic, long-styled flowers with calyx tubes obconical, 1.2--1.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, subglabrous, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, 1.7--2 mm long, with colleters on each sides at base inside; corolla drak red, tubulate salverform, tubes slendar, 1.5--1.8 cm long, glabrous or mealy pubescent outside, with a ring of white long pilous hairs above stamens inside, lobes 5, broadly ovate suborbicular, 4.5--6 mm long, subglabrous; stamens 5, inserted near base of corolla tubes, filaments very short, anthers linear, ca. 3 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style filiform, 1.1 cm or longer; stigmas clavate, ca. 2 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corola the same as long-styled flowers; corolla tubes sparsely white villose; stamens inserted at corolla tubes middle, anthers 2.5 mm long; style 2 mm long inside; stigmas 1 mm long. Capsules subglobose, 4.5--5.5 mm in diameter, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity; valves with persistent calyx lobes ca. 2 mm long at apex. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Aug.
Rocks in dense forests. Guangxi (Longzhou).
8. Spiradiclis purureocaerulea H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 39. 1986
紫花螺序草 zi hua luo xu cao
Herbs; branchs and branchlets stout, terete, densely brown pubescent. Leaves papery, blade ovate, 3--6.5 × 1.5--3 cm, apex obtuse, base rotund or broadly cuneate, upper surface turning black when dry, densely strigose hispidulous, lower surface pale, densely pubescent; midrib stout, lateral nerves 7--10 pairs, both prominent on lower surface, reticular veinlets indistinct; petioles short or subsessile; stipules subulate, 2--3 mm long, caudate acuminate, pubescent. Cyme terminal, densely flowered, 1.5--3 cm long; peduncles short; flower buds clavate, densely pubescent; calyx pubescent, tubes obconical globose, ca. 2 mm long, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, 4--4.5 mm long, acuminate; corolla bluish purple, salverform, 2.5--2.7 cm long, tubes slendar, slightly dilated in middle, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 6 mm long, obtuse at apex; stamens 5, inserted in middle of corolla tubes, filaments very short, anthers linear oblong, ca. 5 mm long, divergent at base; disc annular; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style short, ca. 1.3 mm long; stigmas bilobed, lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 1.8 mm long. Capsules subglobose, 4--4.5 mm in diameter, pubescent, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity, pubescent;. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Aug.
Rocks at road side. Gaungxi (Longzhou).
9. Spiradiclis rubescens H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 101. 1991.
红叶螺序草 hong ye luo xu cao
Herbs dwarf, ca. 6 cm tall; stems subterete, subglabrous, purplish black when dry. Leaves papery, blade oblong or oblong ovate, 4--6 × 2--2.3 cm, apex acute, obtuse at apex, base broadly cuneate or obtuse, purplish red, glabrous on both surfaces except long ciliate; lateral nerves 9--11 pairs, slightly prominent on both surfaces; stipules triangular broadly ovate, 4--5 mm long, caudate acuminate. Inflorescence terminal, 3--5-flowered; pedicels short; bracteoles linear, 4--6 mm long, sparsely long ciliate; calyx tubes obovate, 2 mm long, glabrous, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, unequal, large ones 4--4.5 mm long, small ones ca. 3.5 mm long, acuminate, ciliate, with a gland between lobes; corolla red, salverform funnelform, strongly 5-ribbed, ca. 2.4 cm long, tubes glabrous outside, ca. 1.5 mm wide, lobes 5, ovate, ca. 3.5 mm long; stamens 5, inserted below the middle of corolla tube, filaments 1.7 mm long, anthers linear, 2.5 mm long; style 1.5 mm long; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes thin /membranous, lanceolate , ca. 1.5 mm long. Fl. Jun.
Rocks in shady places. Guangxi (Tiandong).
10. Spiradiclis ferruginea D. Fang et D. H. Qin in Bull. Bot. Res. 13 (4): 334, fig. 1 (5--10). 1993.
锈茎螺序草 xiu jing luo xu cao
Herbs, 3--20 cm tall, stems and branches terete, lower part subligneous, sometimes prostrate and rooting on nodes, densely ferruginous pubescent. Leaves in unequal opposite pairs; blade papery, ovate or ovate elliptic, rarely elliptic, 3--12 × 1.5--5 cm, apex acuminate or obtuse, base rotund or obtuse, sometimes inaequilateral, margin entire, densely pubescent on both surfaces; lateral nerves 8--15 pairs, together with midrib prominent on lower surface, reticular veins indistinct; petioles 0.5--5 cm long, densely ferruginous pubescent; stipules ovate lanceolate, 8--10 mm long, sparsely pubescent on both surfaces, margin ciliate. Cyme terminal, once branched, 7--10-flowered; peduncles 3--6 cm long, densely pubescent; pedicels 1--7 mm long, densely pubescent; bracteoles lanceolate linear, 5--7 mm long, 0.5--1 mm wide, pubescent outside. Flowers dimorphic, long-styled flowers with calyx pubescent outside, tubes turbinate, ca. 1 mm long, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, unequal, one 5 mm long, other s 4 mm long, ciliate, midribed, with a gland between lobes; corolla pale purplish red, subfunnelform, pubescent on both surfaces, tubes ca. 16 mm long, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 3 mm long; stamens 5, inserted on lower part of corolla tube, filaments 1 mm long, mealy hairy, anthers linear, 2.5 mm long; disc 4-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style 15 mm long, glabrous, stigms 2-lobed, lobes ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long; long-styled flowers with calyx and corola the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in corolla tube throat, included, filaments 2 mm long, mealy hairy; style 7 mm long; stigmas 2 mm long, bifid, lobes linear. Fl. Mar.
Rocks in forests; 1200 m. Guangxi (Nonghua).
11. Spiradiclis xizangensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 431. 1986.
西藏螺序草 xi zang luo xu cao
Herbs; stems slightly fleshy; lower part procubent and rooting on nodes, upper part turning purplish brown when dry, densely pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate, 3.5--6 × 1.5--3.2 cm, apex acute or slightly obtuse, base broadly cuneate or subrotund obtuse, leaden grey on both surfaces when dry, upper surface pubescent along midrib, midrib and lateral nerves ca. 7 pairs pubescent and prominent on lower surface, dark purple; petioles 1--2 cm long, densely pubescent; stipules sublanceolate, 2--2.5 mm long, subglabrous, often reflexed. Cyme terminal, 4--6-flowered; peduncles ca. 1 cm long; pedicels 2--5 mm long; bracteoles linear lanceolate, ca. 7 mm long, ca. 1.2 mm wide, green, midribed; calyx tubes suboblong, ca. 1.8 mm long, 5-ribbed, densely pubescent, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, unequal, large one ca. 2 mm long, small 4 ones ca. 1.6 mm long, midribed; corolla subfunnelform, outside pubescent, inside subglabrous, tubes ca. 1.7 cm long, ca. 1.5 mm in diameter, lobes triangular, ca. 3 mm long; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 2 mm long, anthers narrowly oblong, ca. 3.5 mm long, dorsifixed; disc swollen, 4-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell; style ca. 6 mm long; stigmas thick, ca. 3.5 mm long. Fl. May.
Dense forests; 1800--2100 m. Xizhang (Motuo).
12. Spiradiclis longibracteata S. Y. Liu et S. J. Wei in Acta Phytotax. Sinica 32 (4): 362. fig. 1--2. 1994.
长苞螺序草 chang bao luo xu cao
Herbs; stems single, lower part often decumbent and rooting, densely villose. Leaves cauline or basal, rosulate, blade obovate lanceolate or oblanceolate, 4--18 × 1--6 cm, apex rotund, obtuse or acute, base attenuate, entire, sparsely pubescent on upper surface, densely pilose along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves usually 18--22(--29) pairs; distinctly prominent on lower surface; petioles 6--22 mm long; stipules broadly ovate, 2--4-lobed at apex/upper part, persistent; cyme terminal, densely many-flowered; peduncles 7--15 cm long, pubescent; bracts linear lanceolate, 1--1.5 cm long. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with calyx pubescent outside, tubes ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, 2--2.5 mm long; corolla purplish red, purplish red pubescent outside, tubes 16--18 mm long, with a ring of white villous hairs near middle inside; lobes 5, ovate; stamens 5, inserted near base of corolla tube; ovary 2-celled, style ca. 12 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx pubescent outside, tubes ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, unequal in length, 3--10 mm long; corolla tubes 22 mm long, densely pilose below middle and with a ring of white villous hairs at base inside; stamens 5, inserted near middle of corolla tubes, included, style 3 mm long. Capsules globose, 2.5--3 mm tall, pilose. Fl. Apr; fr. Aug--Oct.
Wet places under forests. Guangxi.
13. Spiradiclis howii H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6 (4): 41. 1986.
宽昭螺序草 kuan zhao luo xu cao
Herbs perennial; stems terete, base subligneous, usually brown when dry, subglabrous or pilose, branchlets indistinctly 4-angled, brown, densely pubescent. Leaves papery, blade lanceolate or ovate, sometimes subelliptic or suboblong, usually 2.5--6.5(--9) ×1--2(--3) cm, apex acuminate, usually slightly curved /subfalcate, base broadly cuneate or sometimes subrotund, entire,`upper surface greyish green, strigose hirsute, lower surface usually yellow, crisped pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves; lateral nerves 6--8(--10) pairs, together with midrib distinctly prominent on lower surface; petioles grooved on upper surface, 0.6--1.5 cm long, densely pubescent; stipules subulate linear, 2--3 mm long, long acuminate, pubesccnet. Cyme terminal, many-flowered; peduncles 1--2.5 cm long, densely pubescent; pedicels 1--2.5 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 2--2.5 mm long. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with calyx pubescent, tubes small, subobconical, 0.7--0.8 mm long, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, rigid in texture, equal or slightly unequal, 3--4 mm long, acuminate; corolla white, golden yellow when dry, subtubulate, 1.5--1.7 cm long in anthesis, with 5 lines of hispidulou hairs /hirsutula outside, with a ring of white villous hairs in throat inside, lobes 5, triangular ovate, concaved, rostrate at apex, narrowly winged on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers linear oblong, ca. 2 mm long; disc 4-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 1.4 cm long, pilose; stigmas subelliptic, ca. 0.8 mm long; long-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; corolla white villose inside; stamens inserted in throat, filaments ca. 2 mm long; style ca. 7 mm long; stigmas linear, ca. 2 mm long. Capsules subglobose, 3.5--4 mm in diameter, pubescent, persistent calyx lobes 3.5--5 mm long, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Sep.
Rocks under forests; 1400-1500 m. Yunnan.
13b. Spiradiclis napoensis D. Fang et Z. M. Xie in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40 (2): 154. 2002.
那坡螺序草 na po luo xu ca
Herbs ca. 65 cm tall; stems unbranched, ascending, rooting on nodes at base, slightly compressed when dry, indistinct 4-angled, more or less curved pubescent, denser when young; internodes s 0.4--12.5 cm long.. Leaves in subequal opposite pairs near stem apex, caducous in the middle of stem, blade thinly papery to submembranous, narrowly ovate to broadly ovate, 4--7 × 1-5--3.5 cm, apex acuminate, base rotund to broadly cuneate, slightly decurrent, margin slightly undulate, upper surface dark green, pilosulose, lower surface pale, curved pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves, or glabrescent on both surfaces, lateral nerves 8--10 pairs, together with midrib subdepressed on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 0.7--2 cm long, longitudinally shallowly grooved on upper surface, indumentum as stem; stipules linear subulate, 2--8 mm long, 2-lobed, lobes ca. 1 mm long, glabrous. Cymes terminal, 8--10-flowered; peduncles 3--5 mm long, indumentum as stem; branches 1--4 mm long, mealy puberulent; bracteoles linear, 6--10 mm, glabrous. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels ; calyx tubes ellipsoid, ca. 2 mm tall, indistinctly 10-ribbed, mealy puberulent, rarely subglabrous, lobes 5, narrowly triangular, 2.5 mm long, 1-nerved, subglabrous, with a small gland between lones; corolla ca. 1.7 cm in bud, reddening/blushing white (red-tinged white), glabrous outside, with a ring of dense white villose hairs in throat inside, tubes subtubulate, ca. 12 mm long, 1.5--2 mm wide, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 5 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide, acute at pex; stamens 5, inserted near the base of corolla tube inside, included; style 8 mm long, sparsely puberulent in the middle, stigmas 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 2-lobed, lobes broadly oblong, 1.5 mm long, obtuse at apex; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tubes throat, exserted, filaments 1 mm long, anthers linear, 2.5 mm long; disc annular, 0.7--1 mm tall, 4-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous, style ca. 1 mm, glabrous, stigmas compressed, 3 mm long, 1 mm wide, 2-lobed, lobes narrowly ovate triangular, 1 mm long, acuminate. Fl. Apr--May.
Forests in valleys of limestone hills; 1000 m. Guangxi (Napo)
14a. Spiradiclis tomentosa D. Fang et D. H. Qin in Bull. Bot. Res. 13 (4): 330. 1993.
粘毛螺序草 nian mao luo xu cao
Herbs, 3--23 cm tall, densely grey viscid multicellular tomentose except corolla, stamens, style and seed, dry hairs more or less caducous; stems terete, sometimes shortly branched. Leaves in slightly unequal opposite pairs; thinly papery, blade oblanceolate or obovate, rarely elliptic, 3.5--14 × 1.5--5 cm, apex cuspidate, base attenuate, margin entire; midrib and lateral nerves nearly depressed on both surfaces, lateral nerves 7--10 pairs, veinlets reticulate; petioles 0.5--4.5 cm long; stipules subulate, base broad, 8--22 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, rarely axillary, paniculiform, 8--many-flowered; peduncles 4.5--18 cm long; pedicels 1--5 mm long; bracteoles linear, 3--7 mm long; calyx tubes turbinate, 1 mm long, lobes 5, linear, 1.5--2 mm long, midribed; corolla white, subfunnelform, sparsely pubescent outside, glabrous inside, tubes 6--8 mm long, lobes 5, ovate, 2--3 mm long, apex urceolate at beginning; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tubes throat, slightly exserted, glabrous, filaments 2 mm long, anthers oblong, 1 mm long; disc 4-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style 6--7 mm long, glabrous; stigmas 2-divided, lobes linear, 1--1.5 mm long. Capsules subglobose, diameter ca. 2 mm, 5-ribbed, with persistent calyx lobes 3.5--4 mm long, dehiscence to 4 valves. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. Apr; fr. Jun.
Caverns of lime stone; 500 m. Guangxi (Fengshan).
14b. Spiradiclis chuniana R. J. Wang in Novon 12: 423. 2002.
Annual herbs, to 8 cm tall; stems simple/unbranched, stout, pubescent. Leaves papery?, blade ovate, 3--6.5 × 1.6--3 cm, mucronate at apex, truncate at base, oblique, sparsely covered with articulate villose hairs on both surfacecs, lateral nervess 10--12 pairs, distinct on lower surface; petiole 1--3 cm long, pubescent; stipules persistent, interpetiolar, 2--5-lobed, lobes linear, 0.5--1 cm long, pubescent; internodes 1--1.5 cm long. Inflorescence a terminal cyme; peduncle 2.5--6 cm long, pubescent; pedicel 0--5 mm long; bracts 1.2--2 mm long. Flowers heterostylous, corollas white; long-styled flowers with calyx tubes ca. 1 mm, obconic, pubescent; calyx lobes more or less as long as the tube, acute, pubescent; corolla tubes ca. 7.5 mm long, slightly enlarged at middle, puberulous outside, glabrous inside except bearing a ring of white hairs ca. 1 mm long at middle and sparsely pubescent above ther middle; lobes ca. 1.5 mm long, pubescent inside; stamens ca. 3 mm long, inserted slightly above base of corolla tube; anthers ca. 1.2 mm long, linear, inserted near the ring of hairs; ovary 2-celled; style ca. 5 mm long, slender; stigmas bilobed. Short-styled flowers with calyx tubes as in long-styled flowers; corolla tubes pubescent inside; stamens ca. 4 mm long, inserted near middle of corolla tube, anthers inserted below throat; style ca. 2.5 mm long. Capsules immature, seemingly sublobose.
Shady and humid placese under forests on slopes of limestone hills; 390 m. Guangxi (Nonggang).
15. Spiradiclis bifida Wall. ex Kurz in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 2: 311. 1872.
大叶螺序草 da ye luo xu cao
Herbs, 0.5m tall; stems erect, slightly stout, usually unbranched, villose?. Leaves thinly papery, blade elliptic or oblong, 10--21 × 3--6.5 cm, apex acuminate or subcaudate, sparsely pilose or subglabrous on upper surface, pubescent along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 15--19 pairs, slendar, flattened on lower surface, 2-striated, intramarginal vein indistinct; petioles 1--3 cm long, pubescent; stipules subulate, caudate. Inflorescence terminal, to over 20 cm long, rachis slendar, terete, villose?, with many spreading branches 1--2 cm long above middle, scorpioid cymes; bracts minute. Flowers small, shorter than 5 mm. Fruits sparse, small, subglobose, ca. 2 mm in diameter; loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves; valves slightly thick, pale yellow inside. Seeds small, angled.
Wet places under forests. S & SW Yunnan [NE India].
16. Spiradiclis fusca H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 100. 1991.
两广螺序草 liang guang luo xu cao
Herbs, 30--80 cm tall; stems terete, brownish yellow, glabrous. Leaves thinly papery, blade oblong lanceolate to subelliptic, 4--9 × 1.5--3.5 cm, apex acuminate or subacute, base cuneate, somewhat decurrent, upper surface greyish brown when dry, glabrous, lower surface brownish yellow, midrib and lateral nerves pilose; midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 10--13 pairs, slendar, ascending; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long; stipules 6--7 mm long, base broadly triangular, long caudate acuminate at apex, usually 2-lobed, sometimes 2-divided. Inflorescence terminal, paniculiform, many-flowered, together with peduncles 7--10 cm long; bracteoles subulate or linear, 2--3 mm long. Flowers with pedicels short; calyx tubes obconical, ca. 1 mm long, lobes 5, sublanceolate, 1.5 mm long, slightly obtuse, glabrous; corolla white or pale purple, funnelform, 1.2 cm long, glabrous outside, throat expanded, lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 3 mm long, margin inflexed, apex rostrate incurved; stamens 5, inserted near middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 4.5 mm long, anthers linear, 1.8 mm long, slightly exserted; disc 5-lobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 3.5 mm long, stigmas 2, lanceolate, ca. 2 mm long. Fl. Mar.
Limestone hills. Guangxi (Guilin), Guangdong (Lianxan).
17. Spiradiclis corymbosa W. L. Sha et X. X. Chen in Bull. Bot. Res. 18 (3): 276. 1998.
密花螺序草 mi hua luo xu cao
S. leptobotrya (Drake) Pitard. var. longiflora auct. non Merr; H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 29. 1983.
Herbs, 24--30 cm tall, somewhat pubescent; stems single/unbranched, upper part subtetragonous, 4-sulcate, lower part terete, densely hairy. Leaves in slightly unequal opposite pairs, blade papery, elliptic to long elliptic, 6.5--14 × 2--4.7 cm, apex acute, base cuneate, entire, pilose along veins on both surfaces, lateral nerves 11--17 pairs, joining and netting near margin, prominent on lower surface; petioles 0.5--2.5 cm long, hairy; stipules long triangular, to 2.3 cm long, base ca. 3 mm wide, apex subulate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, usually scorpioid corymbose, densely many-flowered; peduncles 4.5--9 cm long, densely pubescent; bracts linear, 3--18 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, ciliate; bracteoles linear, ca. 2 mm long, ciliate. Flowers with pedicels 0--2 mm long, hairy; calyx pubescent outside, tubes turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, long triangular, 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, ciliate; corolla red, 9--11 mm long, hairy on both surfaces, tubes 7.5--9 mm long, lobes 5, ovate, 1.5--2 mm long; stamens 5, inserted in middle of corolla tube, filaments linear, glabrous, 2 mm long, anthers linear, slightly shorter than filaments; disc annular, 0.5 mm tall; style linear, 2.5--3 mm long, glabrous; stigmas ca. 1 mm long, 2-lobed. Fl. Jun.
Rocks in forests on limestone hills. Guangxi.
18. Spiradiclis villosa X. X. Chen et W. L. Sha in Bull. Bot. Res. 11 (3): 17. 1991.
毛螺序草 mao luo xu cao
Herbs perennial, 30--50 cm tall; stems terete, densely dark brown villose, lower part procumbent and rooting. Leaves membranous, blade oblong elliptic or obovate elliptic, 10--25 × 3--8 cm, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base cuneate or narrowly cuneate, dark brown pubescent on upper surface, densely brown multicellular villose on lower surface; midrib flat on upper surface, prominent on lower surface, lateral nerves 14--16 pairs, reticular veins indistinct; petioles 3.5--7 cm long; stipules 2-parted, densely dark brown multicellular villose, lobes laciniate, 1.5--3 cm long. Infructescence terminal, cymous paniculate, pedunculate, 27 cm long, densely dark brown nodose villose. Flowers unseen. Infructescence terminal, cymose paniculate; peduncules to 27 cm long, densely dark brown multicellular villose; capsule ovate, ca. 2 mm long, villose, crowned by persistent calyx lobes ca. 4 mm long, densely dark brown multicellular villose. Fr. Jul.
Rocks under forests. Guangxi (longzhou).
19. Spiradiclis petrophila H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 33. 1983.
石生螺序草 shi sheng luo xu cao
Herbs, lower part usually procubent; stems and branches nearly tetragonal, often dichotomous, densely pubescent. Leaves papery, blade ovate elliptic, 3--5 × 1.5--3 cm, apex acute, base cuneate or decurrent, usually slightly inaequilateral, densely pubescent on both surfaces; lateral nerves ca. 9 pairs, slendar, indistinct, reticular veins invisible on both surfaces; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate cymes; peduncles slendar, 3.5--6.5 cm long, branches scorpioid, ca. 1--1.5 cm long, usually 3--7 branches densely crowded on a rachis 1--1.5 cm long, usually alternate; bracts small or absent. Flowers small, slightly crowded; long-styled flowers with calyx ca. 1.1 mm long, densely papillose and hispidulous /hirsutellus, distinct 5-ribbed, lobes triangular; corolla white, ca. 3 mm long, pubescent outside, limb 5-lobed, lobes carinate on dorsal surface, rostrate inflexed at apex; stamens inserted near base of corolla tube, filaments ca. 0.7 mm long, glabrous, anthers linear oblong, subequal to filament in length; ovary 2-celled, style ca. 2.3 mm long; stigmas capitate, 2-lobed. Short-styled flowers the same as long-styled flowers except stamens inserted in throat; style extending to middle of corolla tube. Capsules subglobose, ca. 2 mm long, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves, persistent calyx lobes minute. Seeds many, angled. Fl. Sep; fr. Dec.
Limestones. Guangdong (Yangchun).
20. Spiradiclis microphylla H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 34. 1983.
小叶螺序草 xiao ye luo xu cao
Herbs; stems and branches slendar, subtetragonal, pubescent. Leaves opposite or 4 in pseudovercillate, blade thinly papery, ovate, 1--3 × 0.5--1.4 cm, base decurrent, brown when dry, glabrous or pilose on both surfaces, margin pubescent; lateral nerves 4--7 pairs, slightly distinct; petioles slendar, 0.4--1 cm long, pubescent; stipules subulate lanceolate, apex acuminate or caudate acuminate. Inflorescence terminal, dichotomous cymes, rachis scorpioid; peduncles slendar, 2--5 cm long; bracts lanceolate or subulate lanceolate, 1--2 mm long. Short-styled flowers with calyx 1.4--1.5 mm long, 5-parted nearly to middle, pilose /puberulent; corolla white, shortly tubulate, ca. 2.5 mm long, lobes ovate triangular, wing-like carinate on dorsal surface; stamens inserted near base of corolla tube, filaments with lower part adnate to corolla tube, anthers slightly exserted out of corolla tube; ovary 2-celled, style ca. 1.5 mm long; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes slightly swollen. Long-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as short-styled flowers; stamens inserted in throat; style subequal to corolla tube in length; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes decurved. Capsules small, subglobose, loculicidal and septicidal dehiscence, valves 4. Seeds small, angled. Fl. Sep--Oct.
Sparse forests. Jiangxi (Longnan).
21. Spiradiclis luochengensis H. S. Lo et W. L. Sha in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 34. 1983.
桂北螺序草 gui bei luo xu cao
Herbs, 20 cm or taller, glabrous. Leaves fascicled and rosulate, blade papery, broadly obovate or obovate, 5--11 × 3--4.5 cm, apex acute, base decurrent; lateral nerves 7--9 pairs, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--4 cm long, reddish brown when dry; stipules long triangular, apex acuminate, base broad. Cyme terminal, many-branched at apex; peduncles slendar, 7--10 cm long, glabrous, pedicels short, with tiny bracteoles at base; calyx small, purple, ca. 1.5 mm long, tubes ca. 0.5 mm long, lobes triangular ovate, ca. 1 mm long; corolla white, orange when dry, tubulate funnelform, 7--7.5 mm long, lobes lanceolate oblong, 2--2.5 mm long, glabrous outside; short-styled flowers: long hairy in middle of corolla tube inside; stamens inserted in throat, anthers exserted; style extending under throat; stigmas narrowly oblong, 2-lobed; long-styled flowers: with a ring of long hairs in throat; stamens inserted near base of corolla tube, included; style exserted. Capsules ovate globose, ca. 3 mm tall, loculicidal and septicidal dehiscence at maturity, valves 4. Seeds many, small, angled. Fl. and fr. Apr--Jun.
Shady places at strem sides. Guangxi.
22. Spiradiclis longipedunculata W. L. Sha et X. X. Chen in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 35. 1983.
长梗螺序草 chang geng luo xu cao
Herbs; setms single, unbranched, erect or ascending, glabrous, upper part obtusely tetragonal, lower part subterete. Leaves opposite, papery, blade obovate or oblong elliptic, 9--16 × 4--7.5 cm, apex acute, base cuneate, glabrous on both surfaces, dark green on upper surface when dry, yellowish brown on lower surface; lateral nerves 10--13 pairs, slendar, arcuate ascending; petioles 3--6 cm long; stipules subrotund or triangular orbicular, 8--15 mm long, 5--10 mm wide, apex usually cuspidate, 2-lobed, lobes 4--8 mm long. Inflorescence terminal cymose paniculate, ca. 34 cm long; peduncles 15--22 cm long; bracts linear, ca. 4 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx tubes ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, ca. 0.3 mm long; corolla pale yellow, tubes ca. 4 mm long, glabrous outside, striate, bearded in throat inside; stamens 5, inserted in middle of corolla tube, style 1.5 mm long; stigmas 2-lobed, lobes clavate. Fl. Apr.
Guangxi (Daxin).
23. Spiradiclis oblanceolata W. L. Sha et X. X. Chen in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 30, 35. 1983.
长叶螺序草 chang ye luo xu cao
Herbs, 13--25 cm tall; stems single, unbranched, erect, glabrous, upper part obtusely tetragonal, lower part terete, ascending. Leaves papery, blade oblanceolate or narrowly oblong, 7--17 × 2--4 cm, apex acute, base cuneate, margin entire, glabrous on both surfaces; lateral nerves 9--12 pairs, arcuate ascending; petioles 3--5 cm long; stipules long triangular, ca. 8 mm long, ca. 3 mm wide, apex 2-lobed, lobes ca. 3 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, many-flowered, to 20 cm long; peduncles 9--11 cm long; bracts linear, 3 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx tubes ovate, ca. 2 mm long; corolla white, tubes ca. 5 mm long, glabrous outside, striate, bearded in throat inside; stamens 5, inserted in corolla throat; style 2 mm long; stigmas 2, clavate. Capsules ovate, 2 mm long, glabrous. Fl. and fr. Apr--Jun.
Rocks under forests. Guangxi.
subgen. 2. Spiradiclis
Capsules elliptic or linear oblong, length 2--4 times as long as width; valves more less twisted.
24. Spiradiclis malipoensis H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 98. 1991.
滇南螺序草 dian nan luo xu cao
Herbs, 20--25 cm tall; stems decumbent and rooting at base, upper part erect, unbranched, slendar, with 2 lines of dense hispidulous hairs. Leaves papery, blade lanceolate oblong or ovate elliptic, 4.5--8 × 1.5--3.5 cm, apex acuminate, obtuse at apex, base cuneate to broadly cuneate, slightly decurrent, olive green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 10--11 pairs, arcuate, joining into intrmarginal vein near margin; petioles 0.5--1 cm long; stipules lanceolate linear or linear, 5--8 mm long, acuminate. Infructescence terminal, 2.5--3 cm long, subglabrous; peduncles 1 cm long, fruit pedicels 3--4 mm long. Capsules subelliptic, 5.5--6 mm long, longitudinally ribbed, white at maturity, dehiscence into 4 valves, valves slightly twisted. Fr. Nov--Dec.
Dense forests; 1100 m. Yunnan (Malipo).
25. Spiradiclis longzhouensis H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 99. 1991.
龙州螺序草 long zhou lou xu cao
Herbs shrubby; branchlets stout, 5--6 mm in diameter, internodes 0.5--1 cm long. Leaves fascicled on upper part of branchlets, papery, blade elliptic or sometimes oblong, 15--21 × 4--8.5 cm, apex abruptly acuminate (/cuspidate), base usually decurrent, olive green when dry, pale on lower surface, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib broad, impressed in shallowly grooves on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, longitudinally striate, lateral nerves 16--23 pairs, ascending, slightly arcuate, depressed; petioles 3--4.5 cm long, turning black when dry; stipules subovate, ca. 1 cm long, parallelinerved.. Infructescence terminal, 1.5 cm long, lax; bracteoles linear, 3--5 mm long; fruit pedicels slendar, 5--10 mm long; Capsules ellipsoid, ca. 3.5 mm long, ca. 1.7 mm wide, persistent calyx lobes linear, 2--2.5 mm long. Seeds many, small, angled. Fr. Apr.
Guangxi (Longzhou).
26. Spiradiclis laxiflora W. L. Sha et X. X. Chen in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 31, 35. 1983.
疏花螺序草 shu hua luo xu cao
Herbs perennial, 10--25 cm tall; stems erect or ascending, glabrous. Leaves papery, blade elliptic or obovate elliptic, 10--15 × 3--5 cm, apex acuminate, base attenuate, decurrent, glabrous on both surfaces, green on upper surface when dry, pale on lower surface; lateral nerves 9--11 pairs, flat on upper surface, prominent on lower surface; petioles 3.5--5 cm long, stipule ovate triangular, ca. 1 cm long, apex 2-lobed, lobes aristate acuminate. Flowers unseen. Infructescence terminal, paniculate, 25 cm long; peduncles 7 cm long; bracteoles lanceolate or linear lanceolate, 5--17 mm long. Capsules ellipsoid, 3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with persistent calyx lobes. Fr. Jun.
Sparse forests on limestone hills. Guangxi (Longzhou).
27. Spiradiclis baishaiensis X. X. Chen et W. L. Sha in Bull. Bot. Res. 8 (3): 107. 1988.
百色螺序草 bai she luo xu cao
Herbs perennial, 20--50 cm tall; stems unbranched, upper part erect, obtusely tetragonal, lower part terete, inclined. Leaves papery, blade ovate elliptic or obovate to oblanceolate, 7--10 × 3--6 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate or decurrent, usually slightly inaequilateral, margin entire, upper surface brown when dry, glabrous, lower surface festucine /straw yellow, densely yellowish brown tomentose; midrib impressed on upper surface, prominent on lower surface; lateral nerves 11--23 pairs, distinct, arcuate ascending; petioles 1.5--4 cm long, yellow villose; stipules ovate lanceolate, 9--13 mm long, 4--6 mm wide, apex obtuse. Cymes many, in panicles terminal on peduncle, 10--17 cm long; peduncles 5--9 cm long, glabrous, purplish red; bracts linear lanceolate, 8--15 mm long, 1.5--2 mm wide; bracteoles linear, 3--5 mm long; pedicels 3--4 mm long; long-styled flowers with calyx tubes ovate, ca. 2.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, glabrous, lobes 5, linear, 3--4 mm long, curved; corolla purplish red, brownish yellow when dry, tubulate, 10--15 mm long, glabrous outside, striate, bearded in throat inside; lobes 5, ovate oblong, ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1.3 mm wide, stamens 5, slightly exserted, inserted in middle of corolla tube, filaments 4 mm long, glabrous, anthers linear oblong, ca. 2 mm long; ovary hypogynous, 2-celled, ovules many per cell; style ca. 4.5 mm long; stigmas clavate, 2.5 mm long, indistinct bifid.. Fruits ellipsoid, 3 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm wide, glabrous, longitudinally 5-ribbed, persistent calyx lobes 4 mm long. Seeds many, angled. Fl. May.
Forests. Guangxi.
28. Spiradiclis emeiensis H. S. Lo in Acta Bot. Austro Sinica 1: 31, 36. 1983.
峨嵋螺序草 e mei luo xu cao
Herbs decumbent, slightly stout; stems and branches densely pubescent, striate when dry. Leaves thinly papery, ovate to elliptic, 4--9 × 2--4 cm, apex acute, slightly obtuse at apex, base cuneate, somewhat decurrent, grayish green when dry, sparsely pubescent on both surfaces, denser along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 9--12 pairs, arcuate ascending; petioles 1--4 cm long, depressed when dry, densely pubescent; stipules subtriangular, apex subulate acuminate. Inflorescence a terminal cyme, densely many-flowered; peduncles very short; pedicels short; bracteoles subulate, 1.5--2 mm long, villose; short-styled flowers with calyx villose, calyx tubes ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, triangular lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long, acuminate; corolla white, urceolate tubeiform, ca. 6 mm long, white villose outside, tubes 3.5--4 mm long, throat slightly contracted, with a ring of white long hairs inside, lobes 5, lanceolate, 2--2.5 mm long; stamens 5, inserted in middle of corolla tube, filaments subequal to anthers in length, anthers exserted in throat; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 1.2 mm long; stigmas 2-parted, lobes lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long. Long-styled flowers unseen. Capsules ellipsoid, ca. 6 mm long, ca. 3 mm or wider, distinct 5-ribbed, densely crisped villose, loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity; valves slightly contorted / twisted. Fl. Jun; fr. Aug.
Dense forests. Sichuan (Emei Mt.), Yunan (Hekou).
1a. Infructescence 1--2 cm
long; peduncles very short; capsules crisped villose
28a. Spiradiclis emeiensis var. emeiensis
1b. Infructescence 3.5 cm
long; peduncles distinct; capsules pubescent
28b. Spiradiclis emeiensis var. yunnanensis
28a. Spiradiclis emeiensis H. S. Lo var. emeiensis
峨嵋螺序草 (原变种) e mei luo xu cao (yuan bian zhong)
Infructescence 1--2 cm long; peduncles stout, very short; capsules crisped villose
Dense forests. Sichuan (Emei Mt.).
28b. Spiradiclis emeiensis var. yunnanensis H. S. Lo var. yunnanensis H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 102. 1991.
河口螺序草 he kou luo xu cao
Infructescence 3.5 cm long; peduncles distinct; capsule pubescent.
Yunan (Hekou).
29. Spiradiclis caespitosa Bl. Bijdr. 975. 1826.
螺序草 luo xu cao
S. cylindrica Wall. ex Hook. f.
Herbs perennial; stems and branches usually prostrate and rooting on nodes at base /on lower part, pubescent. Leaves papery, blade ovate, ovate elliptic or ovate lanceolate, 2--7 × 1--3.5 cm or slightly larger, apex slightly obtuse or acute, base cuneate, slightly decurrent, subglabrous on both surfaces or villose? along veins on lower surface, rarely sparsely pilose on upper surface; lateral nerves 7--9 pairs, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles usually shorter than 1 cm, usually shortly petiolate or sessile near apex of branches; stipules subulate, 4--5 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, solitary or 2 or 3 fasciculed, paniculate cymes; peduncles 2--5(--8) cm or longer, villose?, usually dichotomous at apex, branches scorpioid; bracts small or absent; calyx ca. 2 mm long, 5-ribbed; corolla white, shortly tubulate, ca. 4 mm long, lobes carinate on dorsal surface distinct in bud, glabrous; stamens and style slightly exserted or included. Capsules linear oblong, ca. 5 mm long, 1.5--1.7 mm wide, glabrous, loculicidal and septicidal dehiscence at maturity, valves 4, contorted /twisted. Seed pale yellow, angled. Fl. ; fr. .
Rivines under forests and rice fields at forests margins. Yunnan, Guangxi Guizhou, Xizhang [N Vietnam, Myanmar (Martaban), NE India, Indonesia (Java),].
30. Spiradiclis microcarpa H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 18 (3): 276. 1998.
小果螺序草 xiao guo luo xu cao
Herbs, glabrous; branchlets, petioles, veins and lower surface of leaves turning yellow when dried. Leaf papery, blade obovate or elliptic obovate, 5--8 × 3--4 cm, apex cuspidate, base decurrent, entire, leaden gray on upper surface when dry; midrib stout, flat on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface, lateral nervessparse/distant, 6--7 pairs, reticular veinlets obscure on both surfaces; petioles 3--4.5 cm long; stipules narrowly lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long. Cyme terminal, 14 cm long, sparsely branched on upper part; peduncles ca. 2 mm long, 0.5--0.6 mm wide, Fruits loculicidally and septicidally dehiscing into 4 valves at maturity; valves contorted/twisted. Seeds many, small, angled. Fr. Jul.
Shady places on limestone hills; 100 m. Guangxi (Daxing).
蛇根草属 she gen cao shu
Herbs, annual or perennial, rarely subshrubs; stems suberect, decumbent or creeping. Leaves opposite, decussate, equal or somewhat unequal in pair; petiolate or subsessile; blade papery, entire; stipules interpatiolar, persistent or caducous, indiscrete, entire or bifid, often with glandular collectors in axil. Inlorescence terminal and axillary cymes, usually helicoid or with helicoids branches, sometimes sparsely few-flowered or densely crowdded; bracts and bracteoles present or absent, caducous or persistent in fruits. Flowers usually secund on branches of peduncles, more or less pedicellate, rarely subsessile, bisexual, 5--merous; heterostylous, sometimes homostylous; (hypanthium ;) calyx usually small, tube turbinate or obconical, compressed, longitudinally 5- or 10-ribbed, limb 5(--6)-lobed, lobes usually triangular, shorter than calyx tube, sometimes narrowly lanceolate or linear, longer or much longer than calyx tube; corolla small and subtubulate or large and salverform to funnelform, tube often long and narrow, limb 5(--6)-lobed, lobes often vertically ribbed or winged at back, sometimes with appendages near apex; stamens 5(--6), inserted/adnate below the middle of corolla tube in long-styled flowers or in throat in short-styled flowers, anthers oblong to linear, included or exserted; pollen globular, usually tricolpate; disc fleshy, 2-lobed; ovary 2--celled,ovules many, inserted on a fleshy, peltate placenta ascending from the base of septum, long-styled flowers with style often extending to throat or above mouth of corolla tube, stigmas bifid, lobes usually scabrous thick, short-styled flowers with style usually extending to near the middle of corolla tube, stigma lobes memnranous. Fruit a capsule, mitriform or obcordate, compressed, crowned by persistent disc and calyx lobes, loculicidally dehiscing into 2 valves; seeds mumerous, minute, angled(; testa areolate, areoles alveolate?).
About 200 species in tropic and subtropic Asia, Pacific Islands, and Australia. 72 species in China.
1a. Stipules persistent, usually discernible on upper nodes of branchlets.
2a. Bracteoles present and persistent
3a. Calyx lobes longer than or rarely subequal to tubes
4a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 2 cm
5a. Inflorescence few-flowered, usually with 1--3 flowers; leaves glabrous or covered with unicellular hairs.
6a. Leaves densely covered with reddish brown glangular dots on lower surfaces; stipules triangular, ca. 2 mm long 1. O. rufopunctata
6b. Leaves without glandular dots on lower surfaces; stipules subulate acuminate
7a. Leaves broadly elliptic,
both surfaces glabrous; bracteoles 1; stipules without glands at apex
2. O. sichuanensis
7b. Leaves ovate or lanceolate,
more or less hairy; bracteoles 2, opposite; stipules with 3 glands at apex
3. O. wenshanensis
5b. Inflorescence many--flowered; leaves covered with long multicellular hairs
8a. Corolla with 5 lines of
long hairs above the middle outside; calyx lobes ovate or lanceolate
4. O. rufipilis
8b. Corolla pilose; calyx lobes subulate 5. O. medogensis
4b. Flowers small, corolla shorter than 2 cm
9a. Calyx lobes distinctly
unqual; corolla 1.8--2 cm long
6. O. pingbienensis
9b. Calyx lobes equal or subequal.
10a. Corolla lobes with an
corniform appendage of ca. 1.5 mm long on dorsal surface near apex. Flowers
small, corolla shorter than 1 cm
7. O. cana
10b. Corolla lobes without an appendage or with a very small one on dorsal surface near apex
11a. Calyx lobes 2 times or more longer than tubes
12a. Stipules broadly triangular at base, apruptly caudate acumiate at apex; corolla lobes narrowly winged on dorsal surface, apex of wing prolonged into a spur 8. O. ensiformis
12b. Stipules ovate, acumiate; corolla lobes broadly winged, apex of wing semilunar
13a. Corolla with 5 lines of
stiff hairs outside; calyx tubes villose
9. O. hunanica
13b. Corolla glabrous outside;
calyx tubes hispidulous
10. O. macrodonta
11b. Calyx lobes nearly as long as or slightly longer than tubes
14a. Corolla hirsute outside, ca. 1 cm long; leaves ovate, 1.5--5 cm long; stipules bifid, lobes filiform , acuminate at apex 11. O. pauciflora
14b. Corolla 1.1 cm or longer, glabrous outside
15a. Leaves small, ovate or
broadly ovate, 1--4 cm long; stipules subulate
12. O. dulongensis
15b. Leaves large, oblong or narrow oblong, 8--15 cm long; stipules triangular 13. O. hayatana
3b. Calyx lobes distinctly shorter than calyx tubes.
16a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 2 cm 14. O. macrantha
16b. Flowers small, corolla shorter than 1.5 cm (to 1.9 cm long in 簇花蛇根草O. fasciculata)
17a. Plant covered with dense multicellular long hairs 15. O. nutans
17b. Plant glabrous or covered with unicellular hairys.
18a. Bracteoles oblong, 5--10 × 1.5--4 mm
19a. Leaves large, 6--13 cm long; bracteoles ciliate on margin
20a. Stipules 1 cm long 16. O. fasciculata
20b. Stipules 3--5 mm long 17. O. hainanensis
19b. Leaves small, 2--5(--7) cm long; bracteoles glabrous 18. O. austroyunnanensis
18b. Bracteoles linear or subulate, usually hairy.
21a. Calyx tubes and capsules tuberculate; corolla 1.5 cm long, glabrous; leaves narrowly oblong or oblong, width 1/4--1/5 of length 13. O. hayatana
21b. Calyx tubes and capsule not tuberculate; leaves ovate or broadly ovate, width ca. 1/2 of length
22a. Corolla lobes without corniform appendage on dorsal surface near apex; narrow wing present or absent
23a. Leaves large, 7--17 cm long; corolla lobes narrowly winged on dorsal surface 19. O. hispida
23b. Leaves small, 2--2.3 cm long; corolla lobes narrowly winged on dorsal surface 20. O. lurida
22b. Corolla lobes with corniform appendage on dorsal surface near apex; leaves 2--6 cm long 21. O. brevidentata
2b. Bractleoles abscent, or very small and caducous before maturity of fruits
24a. Calyx lobes longer than tubes
25a. Corolla lobes with corniform appendage of ca. 1.5 mm long on dorsal surface near apex; calyx lobes with a line of stiff hairs on dorsal midrib 7. O. cana
25b. Corolla lobes without a distinct appendage; calyx lobes (sub-)glabrous 12. O. dulongensis
24b. Calyx lobes shorter than tubes.
26a. Corolla lobes ca. 1/2
length of tubes, reflexed in anthesis; calyx and corolla glabrous outside
22. O. wui
26b. Corolla lobes usually shorter than 1/3 length of tube, spreading in anthesis
27a. Corolla glabrous inside and outside
28a. Flowers yellow; stipules
ovate lanceolate; leaves often greyish green when dry
23. O. ochroleuca Hooker f.
28b. Flowers purplish red; stipules usually 2-parted almost to base, lobes subulate, aristate at apex; leaves turning purplish red when dry 24. O. rosea
27b. Corolla hairy inside and outside, or at least hairy inside.
29a. Corolla subcampanulate,
3.5--4.5 mm long; leaves larger, 8--15 cm long; capsules to 9 mm wide
25. O. liukiuensis
29b. Corolla subtubulate or funnelform; leaves smaller, usually shorter than 10 cm ; capsules 4--5 mm wide.
30a. Inflorescence and flowers covered with dense bright yellow hairs 26. O. aureolina
30b. Inflorescence and flowers covered with hairs in other colors
31a. Calyx lobes much shorter than tubes.
32a. Leaves hispid on upper surface, turning grey when dry 27. O. rugosa
32b. Leaves glabrous or with
scattered short hairs on upper surface, turning red or reddish when dry
28. O. subrubescens
31b. Calyx lobes as long as or slightly shorter than tubes; leaves with scattered strigose 29. O. hispidula
1b. Stipules caducous, usually not easily discernible on upper nodes of branchlets, occasionally with vestiges.
33a. Bracteoles distinctly present and persistent
34a. Calyx lobes longer than tubes.
35a. Flowers larger, corolla longer than 2 cm
36a. Plant covered with multicellular long hairy; calyx lobes acuminate or acute
37a. Fruits/Capsule large, 10--11 mm wide; leaves narrowly oblong, 15--21 cm long; lateral nerves often 12--18 pairs; bracteoles lanceolate 30. O. rarior
37b. Fruits/Capsule small, ca. 7 mm wide; leaves usually ovate, commonly shorter than 10 cm; lateral nerves rarely to 12 pairs.
38a. Corolla with 5 lines of setaceous long hairs outside; leaves turning reddish when dry, broadly ovate or subrotund, 1--2 cm long; bracteoles linear 31. O. mitchelloides
38b. Corolla with scattered hairs outside; bracteoles filiform.
39a. Leaves small, 1--3 cm long; veins turning purple when dry 32. O. purpurascens
39b. Leaves large, usually 2--8(--11) cm long, veins not turning purple when dry 33. O. liangkwangensis
36b. Plant glabrous, or inflorescence covered with unicellular hairs; calyx lobes obtuse; bracteoles linear to narrowly lanceolate 34. O. fangdingii
35b. Flowers smaller, corolla shorter than 1.5 cm; plant glabrous or covered with unicellular hairs
40a. Corolla longer than 1 cm; leaves not turning red when dry.
41a. Leaves smaller, 0.8--2 cm long, base cordate or truncate; bracteoles linear 35. O. kwangsiensis
41b. Leaves larger, 2--7.5 cm long, base broadly cuneate; bracteoles filiform 36. O. purpureonervis
40b. Corolla 9--10 mm long; leaves 5--11 cm or longer, turning reddish when dry; bracteoles linear lanceolate 37. O. succirubra
34b. Calyx lobes shorter than or occasionally subequal to tubes
42a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 2 cm.
43a. Plant covered with multicellular long hairs.
44a. Bracteoles ovate or lanceolate, distinctly pinninerved, long-styled flowers with stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube 38. O. grandibracteolata
44b. Bracteoles linear, veinless; long-styled flowers with stamens inserted near the base of corolla tube 39. O. rhodoneura
43b. Plant glabrous or covered with unicellular hairs.
45a. Leaves broadly ovate or broadly elliptic, with many minute rounded scales on lower surface. Capsules large, to 15 mm wide 40. O. crassifolia
45b. Leaves lanceolate, narrowly lanceolate or subelliptic, rarely subovate, without minute scales on lower surface. Capsules small, usually not wider than 10 mm
46a. Corolla glabrous inside;
leaves narrowly lanceolate or linear lanceolate
41. O. napoensis
46b. Corolla hairy inside; leaves ovate, elliptic, oblong or lanceolate.
47a. Corolla lobes with a
dorsal membranous wing. Inflorescence lax
42. O. longipes
47b. Corolla lobes without a
dorsal wing or vertical ridge. Inflorescence compact
43. O. umbricola W. W. Smith
42b. Flowers small, corolla shorter than 2 cm, usually not longer than 1.5 cm (flower of O. salicifolia Lo unknown).
48a. Leaves linear or very narrowly lanceolate, width shorter than 1/4 of length
49a. Branchlets glabrous;
leaves reddish when dry. Inflorescence many--flowered
44. O. salicifolia
49b. Branchlets bearing 2 vertical bands of hairs; leaves greyish brown /yellow when dry. Inflorescence few-flowered 45. O. lignosa
48b. Leaves not same as above, width longer than 1/3 of length
50a. Leaves small, shorter than 5 cm.
51a. Corolla lobes with a distinct coniform appendage on dorsal surface near apex; leaves mealy puberulous on lower surface 46. O. filibracteolata
51b. Corolla lobes without any appendage; leaves covered with hairs only along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface
52a. Flowers large; corolla 10--12 mm long; leaves turning black or dark grey when dry 47. O. nigricans
52b. Flowers small, corolla 4--6 mm long; leaves turning red when dry 48. O. humilis
50b. Leaves large, longer than 5 cm
53a. Leaves cordate at base; corolla 1.3--1.4 cm long, lobes with a corniform appendage on dorsal surface at apex 49. O. cordata
53b. Leaves not cordate at base
54a. Corolla lobes with a dorsal wing prolonged into a corniform appendage at the apex
55a. Corniform appendage 1.5--2 mm long, distinctly longer than or subequal to corolla lobe; leaves glabrous on both surfaces
56a. Corolla 12--13 mm long,
corniform appendage subequal to corolla lobe
50. O. mycetiifolia
56b. Corolla 6--7 mm long, corniform appendage distinctly longer than corolla lobe 51. O. longicornsi
55b. Corniform appendage shorter than 1 mm, distinctly shorter than corolla lobe.
57a. Leaves large, 8--15 cm long.
covered with crisped--tomentellate hairs restricted to costa and lateral nerves on lower surface, purplish when dryj lateral nerves 13--23 pairs
58a. Leaves ovate or ovate lanceolate, covered with crisped tomentellate hairs along veins on lower surface, turning purplish when dry; lateral nerves many and dense, 13--23 pairs 52. O. densa
58b. Leaves broadly ovate or broadly elliptic, glabrous on both surfaces, turning yellow or brownish yellow when dry; lateral nerves 7--8 pairs 53. O. carnosicaulis
57b. Leaves small, 2.5--5.5 cm long, turning grayish brown when dry; lateral nerves 7--8 pairs 46. O. filibracteolata
54b. Corolla lobes with a dorsal broad wing not prolonged into an appendage at apex
59a.Wings on dorsal surface of corolla lobes decurrent to the base of corolla tube 54. O. alatiflora
59b.Wings on dorsal surface of corolla lobes decurrent to the middle of corolla tube
60a. Corolla glabrous inside and outside; calyx lobes distinctly unequal 55. O. nandanica
60b. Corolla hairy inside; calyx lobes equal or subequal.
61a. Stigmas capitate,
2-lobed; leaves in unequal pairs, large ones ca. 3 to 4 times as large as small
ones
56. O. chingii
61b. Stigmas 2-parted; leaves in equal or subequal pairs.
62a. Stigma lobes linear; bracteoles filiform subulate.
63a. Capsules pubescent;
short-styled flowers with style nearly as long as stigma; lateral nerves
depressed on upper surface; branchlets dull when dry
57. O. laoshanica
63b. Capsules glabrous;
short-styled flower with style much longer than stigma; lateral nerves
prominent on upper surface; branchlets black when
58. O. petrophila
62b. Stigma lobes ovate, elliptic, rounded or lanceolate, sometimes very scabrous thick; bracteoles linear
64a. Leaves usually ovate, rarely longer than 8 cm ; stigmas in long-styled flowers and anthers in short-styled flowers not exserted out of corolla tube mouth 59. O. japonica
64b. Leaves usually long elliptic; stigmas in long-styled flowers and anthers in short-styled flowers slightly exserted out of corolla tube mouth 60. O. cantoniensis
33b. Bracteoles absent, or very small and caducous
65a. Flowers large, corolla longer than 2 cm
66a. Corolla lobes with a corniform appendage of 1.5--2 mm long on dorsal surface at apex; corolla very shortly pubescent outside; leaves very shortly pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface 61. O. howi
66b. Corolla lobes with a dorsal wing, but no appendage or with a very small one on dorsal surface near apex
67a. Capsules large, 14--15 mm wide; corolla lobes narrowly winged on dorsal surface; leaves distinctly oblique/ inaequilateral at base, not turning reddish when dry 62. O. wallichii
67b. Capsules small, not wider than 10 mm; corolla lobes broadly winged on dorsal surface; leaves aequilateral or sub aequilateral at base; often tunring red when dry 63. O. chinensis
65b. Flowers small, corolla usually shorter than 1.5 cm, rarely to 2 cm long
68a. Leaves at least hairy along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface
69a. Corolla large, 11--14 mm long
70a. Corolla lobes with a dorsal narrow wing on dorsal surface or a short small (corniform) appendage at apex; leaves pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 7--12 pairs
71a. Leaves turning red when dry on lower surface, ovate, apex obtuse or acute; lateral nerves indistinct on upper surface, compressed on lower surface 8. O. subrubescens.
71b. Leaves turning yellowish brown on lower surface when dry, lanceolate, acuminate; lateral nerves prominent on both surface 64. O. luchunensis
70b. Corolla lobes with a corniform appendage of 0.8--1 mm long on dorsal surface at apex; leaves ovate, densely strigillose on lower surface, turning pale when dry; lateral nerves 5--7 pairs 65. O. gracilis
69b. Corolla small, 5--6 mm long
72a. Inflorescence all terminal; leaves smaller, often 2--5.5(--9) cm long, apex rounded or obtuse, turning pale on lower surface when dry 66. O. pumila
72b. Inflorescence terminal and opposite in axils of upper portion; leaves large, 8--15 cm long, apex shortly acuminate, turning pale brown when dry on lower surface when dry 67. O. oppositiflora
68b. Leaves glabrous on both surfaces
73a. Flower buds long acuminate at apex; corolla lobes with a corniform appendage 0.8--1 mm long on dorsal surface near apex 65. O. gracilis
73b. Flower buds rounded or subtruncate at apex; corolla lobes without an appendage or with a very small one on dorsal surface near apex
74a. Leaves with midrib canaliculatedly impressed on upper surface
75a. Calyx limb 5-parted almost to base. Inflorescence loose; corolla 10--12 mm long, purplish red.
76a. Leaves with lateral nerves 14--18 pairs; corolla glabrous outside 68. O. paniculiformis
76b. Leaves with lateral nerves 8--10 pairs; corolla puberulent outside 69. O. longzhouensis
75b. Calyx limb turbinate,
undulately 5-lobed. Inflorescence compact; corolla ca. 7 mm long, pale green
70. O. repandicalyx
74b. Leaves with midrib not impressed on upper surface; lateral nerves less than 10 pairs.
77a.Leaves with midrib and lateral nerves depressed on lower surface; corolla shorter than 1.5 cm
78a. Calyx lobes triangular, shorter than 1/2 of tube. Flowers buds subtruncate at apex; corolla white; leaves aequilateral or subaequilateral, lateral nerves 8--10 pairs 71. O. alata
78b. Calyx lobes lanceolate,
as long as ca. 2/3 of tube. Flowers buds rounded at apex; corolla pink; leaves
often inaequilateral; lateral nerves 5--6 pairs
72. O. laevifolia
77b. Leaves with midrib and
lateral nerves prominent in semiterete on lower surface; turning reddish when
dry; corolla longer than 1.5 cm
63. O. chinensis
1 Ophiorrhiza rufopunctata H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):15, 1990.
红腺蛇根草 hong xian she gen cao
Herbs, 10--15 cm tall; stems slightly fleshy, procumbent and rooting on nodes at base; young branches, inflorescence, calyx and fruit covered with brownish hispidulous or strigose hairs. Leaves papery, blade oblong ovate or ovate, sometimes broadly ovate, ca. 3--8(--10) cm×. 2--3.5 cm, apex obtuse or subrotund, sometimes acute, base broadly cuneate, subrotund or occasionally subcordate, often subinaequilateral, margin undulante, upper surface glabrous or subglabrous, usually with scattered reddish glandular dots, more on midrib, lower surface glabrous or pubescent on veins, with reddish glandular dots; lateral nerves 4--5 pairs, remote, slendar, indistinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles stout, 0.3--1.5 cm long, pubescent or hirsutulous hairy; stipules subtriangular, ca. 2--3 mm long, with a gland at apex. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles ca. 1 cm long, covered with brown stiff hairs, (1--)2--5-flowered. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels short, bracteoles 1 or 2, linear subulate, ca. 3 mm long, usually together with calyx covered with stiff hairs /hirsute or with reddish glandular dots; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 3 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, linear, ca. 3 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla subclavate and 5-ribbed at apex in bud, pale purple, subfunnelform, throat expanded, tubes 1.8--2.2 cm long, white villose or pubescent above the middle inside, very dense at the middle, lobes 5, ovate, 4--5 mm long, with a midrib; stamens 5, inserted at the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 0.5 mm long, anthers suboblong, ca. 1.5 mm long; style ca. 1.9 cm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes membranous, ca. 2 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in throat; style 7--8.5 mm long, stigmas ca. 3 mm long. Capsules 1.1 cm wide, 5--6 mm tall, hispidulous /hirsute?. Fl. Nov.
Wet places under forests. Sichuan.
2. Ophiorrhiza sichuanensis H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11 (2): 104. 1991.
四川蛇根草 si chuan she gen cao
Herbs; stem creeping and rooting on nodes at base /lower portion, upper potion ascending, black when dry, subglabrous or puberulent. Leaves thickly papery, broadly elliptic, ca. 1.5--5 × 1.2--3.2 cm, apex obtuse or acute, base rounded/rotund or very broadly cuneate, margin irregularly dentated, rarely entire, upper surface leaden grey or dark and lower surface slightly brown when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 4--6 pairs, arcuately ascending , reticular veins distinct; petioles 0.8--2 cm long; stipules subulate, 1.5--2 mm long, acuminate. Cymes terminal, 1--2-flowered; bracteoles linear, 4--6 mm long, inserted near the base of pedicels. Flowers with pedicels slendar, 6--8 mm long; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 2.5 ×. 3 mm, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, linear, 3.5--4 mm long, apex slightly obtuse; corolla purple, funnelform, 3.2--3.5 cm long, throat expanded, 8 mm in diameter, glabrous outside, white villose inside, lobes 5, broadly ovate triangular, ca. 6 mm long, base ca. 6 mm wide, apex rostrate incurved; disc bifid; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 2.2 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style 12--13 mm long, stigmas ca. 0.8 mm long, bilobed /bifid, lobes thick. Fl. Apirl.
Rocks; 1200 m. Szechwan (Leibo).
3. Ophiorrhiza wenshanensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 17. 1990.
文山蛇根草 wen shan she gen cao
Herbs creeping and ascending, ca. 20 cm tall; young branches pubescent, very dense on upper portion. Leaves papery, blade ovate or sometimes lanceolate, 1.5--3.5 × 0.8--2 cm, occasionally 7 × 3 cm, apex obtuse, base cuneate, entire, upper surface grayish green, sparsely hispidulous or subglabrous, lower surface pallid, pubescent on veins; lateral nerves slendar, 5--6 pairs, confluent near margin, indistinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 5—10 mm long, pubescent; stipules glabrous, 2-parted almost to base, lobes subulate triangular, 2.5--3 mm long, apex with globular gland, sometimes with stipitate gland at base. Inflorescence terminal, glabrous, 1 or 2 –flowered. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous，short-styled flowers with pedicels 3--5 mm long; bracteoles 2, appressed to calyx, linear subulate, ca. 5 mm long; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm long, 6--8-ribbed, glabrous, lobes usually 6--7, lanceolate liear, equal or sometimes unqual, 1--3 mm long; corolla white, subfunnelform, throat expanded, tubes 18--20 mm long, glabrous outside, white villose inside, denser in throat, lobes 6--7, subovate, 3--4 mm long, apex incurved and rostrate, with a minute spur-like appendage on dorsal surface near apex; stamens 6--7, inserted below throat, filaments 1.2 mm long, anthers linear, 2.3 mm long; ovary 2-celled, placenta ascending from central axis near base, ovules many, style filiform, ca. 4.5 mm long, stigma thin, 2-lobed, lobes membranous, oblong ovate, ca. 4 mm long; Capsules subobcordate, 3 × 8 mm, glabrous, with persistent bracteoles. Fl. May.
Stream sides under forest. Yunnan (Wenshan).
4. Ophiorrhiza rufipillis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 17. 1990.
红毛蛇根草 hong mao she gen cao
Herbs, suberect or decumbent and rooting at base /lower portion, plant reddish brown villose, hairs multicellular, often moniliform. Stems solitary or few-branched, young branches striate when dry, densely hairy. Leaves papery, blade oblong lanceolate to lanceolate, rarely subovate, in very unequal pairs (heterophyllous), large leaves 3--10 × 1--4 cm, lateral nerves10--16 pairs, small leaves 1--6 × 0.5--2.5 cm, laternal nerves 5--8 pairs, apex acuminate or abruptly acuminate, obtuse, base broadly cuneate to subrotund, occasionally subcordate, ciliate, turning pallid green when dry, upper surface sparsely strigose villose, midrib and lateral veins densely hairy and distinctly prominent on lower surface; stipules lanceolate triangular, 7--9 mm long, 0.5--1 mm wide at base, usually 2-lobed, lobes long acuminate, margin sparsely setiform ciliate (/setaceous villose). Inflorescence terminal, densely reddish brown villose; peduncles shorter than 1 cm, branches short. Flowers with pedicels ca. 1.5 mm long, densely villose; bracteoles linear, ca. 5 mm long, long ciliate; calyx densely villose, tubes turbinate, subglobose, ca. 1.5 × 1.5 mm, lobes 5, subovate or lanceolate, 3.5--4 × ca. 2 mm, setaceous villose along margin and dorsal midrib, with distinct lateral nerves; corolla white or pale yellow, tubular funnelform, with 5 lines of setaceous villous hairs, tubes ca. 18--19 mm long, base ca. 1.8 mm wide, throat 4 mm wide, sparsely scaly hairy inside, lobes 5, broadly lanceolate, ca. 4.5 × 1.8 mm, apex incurved in rostrate, with a broad wing on dorsal surface, glabrousinside; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube ca. 5mm from throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers oblong, ca. 2 mm long, included; style 16--17 mm long, stigmas 2, ca. 2 mm long, slightly exserted. Immature capsule subobcordate, ca. 3.5 mm tall, ca. 7 mm wide, 5-ribbed, villose,with persistent calyx lobes. Fl. Feb.
Dense forests; 1200 m. SE Yunnan.
5. Ophiorrhiza medogensis H. Li in Acta Phytotax. Sinica 18(1): 116, fig. 1(1—6).1980.
长萼蛇根草 chang e she gen cao
Herbs or subshrubs, 30--60 cm tall, covered with multicellular long hairs /villose; branches slightly stout, densly brown villose. Leaves in pairs of unequal size, blade thinly papery, lanceolate, oblong lanceolate or subovate, 6--14 × 2.2--5.5 cm, apex abruptly acuminate, base rotund or subcordate, usually inaequilateral, margin subentire or undulante, ciliate, pallid green on both surfaces or reddish on lower surface when dry, upper surface glabrous or with scattered rough hairs, lower surface densely villose along midrib and lateral veins; lateral nerves 8--16 pairs; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long, sometimes 3.5 cm , densely hairy; stipules 2--3-divided, lobes subulate or filiform, 1 cm long, long ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered and dense; peduncles very short, shorter than 1 cm , together with helicoid branches villose. Flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate; bracteoles filiform or subulate, 1--2 cm long, long ciliate, calyx tubes subglobular, ca. 2 mm in diameter, densely villose, lobes 5, subulate or filiform, 7--8 mm long, ciliate; corolla white, peberulent outside, tubular funnelform, tubes ca. 1.8 cm long, throat expanded, villose above middle inside, lobes 5, oblong ovate, ca. 4 mm long; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments short, anthers linear; disc ca. 0.7mm tall; style ca. 1.5 cm long, stigmas 2, clavate, ca. 4 mm long. Capsules ca. 5mm tall, ca. 10 mm wide, Fl. Sep.
Broad-leaved forests on mountain slopes; ca. 1700 m. Xizhang (Motuo).
6. Ophiorrhiza pingbienensis H. S. Lo in Bul. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 20. 1990.
屏边蛇根草 ping bian she gen cao
Herbs; stems and branches turning reddish brown when dry, young branches densely reddish brown pubescent, uaually angled /ribbed when dry. Leaves thinly papery, blade oblong ovate or oblong lanceolate, sometimes ovate, 2--7.5 ×1--3 cm, apex acute, obtuse, base cuneate, entire, upper surface scattered pubescent, lower surface densely pubescent on midrib and lateral veins, rarely subglabrous; lateral nerves 5--7 pairs, slendar, prominent on lower surface; petioles 0.5--2.5 cm long, densely pubescent; stipules lanceolate or sometimes subovate, ca. 4 mm long, entire or sparsely dentate, apex acuminate, base usually with 2 glands inside, sometimes with a small globular gland at apex. Inflorescence terminal, slightly compact, peduncles ca. 1--1.5 cm long, with short helicoid branches, densely reddish brown pubescent. Flowers with pedicels 1.5--3mm long or subsessile; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 5--7 mm long, obtuse, pinninerved, subglabrous, or ciliate; calyx tubes turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.5 mm long, densely pubescent, lobes 5, unequal, lanceolate to subovate, large lobe 3--6 mm long, small lobe 0.8--3 mm long, pinninerved, ciliate or subglabrous; corolla dark red, tubular funnelform, 5-winged at apex in bud, tubes 15--17.5 mm long, subglabrous outside, with 5 small areas of white long hairs below throat inside, lobes 5, subovate, 2.5--3 mm long, apex thick, slightly rostrate incurved, with a broad lunate wing on dorsal surface, densely short scaly hairy inside; stamens 5, inserted slightly below the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers linear, 2.5--3 mm long, style 11--13 mm long, stigmas 2-lobed, lobes suboblong, slightly fleshy, ca. 1.5 mm long; disc bifid. Immature capsule obcordate, ca. 2 mm tall, ca. 5.5 mm wide, ferruginous pilose. Fl. Jul.
Stream sides; ca. 1400 m. Yunnan (Pingbian).
7. Ophiorrhiza cana H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 20. 1990.
灰叶蛇根草 hui ye she gen cao
Herbs creeping; stems and branches compressed when dry, striate or shallowly sulcate, with soft hairs. Leaves thinly papery or membranous papery, blade ovate, oblong or lanceolate, 3.5--11 × 1.8--4.5 cm, apex acute or acuminate, obtuse, base cuneate, rarely subrotund, entire or undulate, upper surface turning leaden grey or sometimes greyish green when dry, subglabrous or sparsely pubescent, lower surface pallid, with many dots; pubescent along midrib and lateral veins, midrib broad and depressed; lateral nerves 10--15 pairs, slendar and dense, indistinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--1.5 cm long, pubescent; stipules 4--5 mm long, broad triangular at base, abruptly contracted in a long acumen, persistent. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered and compact, peduncles shorter than 1 cm , branches helicoid, very short, densely pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels stout, ca. 1 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles very small, ca. 0.3 mm long, caduceus early; calyx tubes subturbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.1 mm tall, ca. 1.5 mm wide, hispidulous, lobes 5, linear, 1.4--1.6 mm long, with a line of tiff hairs on dorsal surface; corolla orange yellow when dry, turbinate, with 5 corniform appendage at apex in bud, pubescent outside, tubes ca. 5 mm long, with a ring of white long soft hairs in the throat inside, other parts pubescent, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 2 mm long, b with a corniform appendage of ca. 1.5 mm long on dorsal surface near apex; stamens 5, inserted in corolla at ca. 0.5mm from tube base, filaments 0.5 mm long, anthers narrowly oblong, ca. 1.5 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell, style ca. 5 mm long, stigmas 2, suborbicular, flattened, ca. 1.2 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers, stamens inserted in throat, style extending to slightly lower position of corolla tube, stigmas 2-parted. Capsules obcordate, ca. 5 mm wide, ca. 2 mm tall, pubescent.
SE Yunnan.
8. Ophiorrhiza ensiformis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):22, fig. 5. 1990.
剑齿蛇根草 jian chi she gen cao
Herbs; young branches pubescent. Leaves submembranous, elliptic or ovate, sometimes oblong, 5--12 × 2.5--5.5 cm, apex abruptly acuminate, obtuse, base broadly cuneate, more or less decurrent, entire, brown or dark brown, upper surface sparsely ferruginous pilose /pubescent, lower surface glabrous or subglabrous; lateral nerves slendar, ca. 10--12 pairs, slightly prominent on both surfaces; petioles 1--3 cm long, pilose; stipules broadly triangular at base, caudate long acuminate at apex, 3--5 mm long, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, ferruginous pubescent; peduncles ca. 1.5 cm long, branches short, helicoid. Flowers with pedicels short; bracteoles linear ensiform, 5--7 mm long, with midrib and lateral veins, ciliate; calyx tubes subturbinate, ca. 1.5 × 2.5 mm, 5-ribbed, densely multicellular ferruginous long hairy, mixing with unicellular hairs, lobes linear ensiform, 5--7.5 × 1.5 mm, with midrib and lateral nerves, (/pinninerved), ciliate; corolla white, tubular funnelform, clavate in bud, 5-ribbed at apex, glabrous outside or sparsely hispidulous along ribs, with a ring of white long hairy in throat inside, tubes 1.3--1.4 cm long, lobes 2--2.5 mm long, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, with a spur at apex; stamens 5, inserted slightly below throat, filaments short, anthers linear, ca. 2.5 mm long; style 14 mm long, stigmas capitatiform, 1 mm long. Capsules ca. 4 mm tall, ca. 8 mm wide, pilose, persistent calyx lobes 5--7 mm long, ciliate. Fl. Jan.
Stream sides;2000 m. Yunnan (Longling).
9. Ophiorrhiza hunanica H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 24. 1990.
湖南蛇根草 hu nan she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 15 cm tall; stems decumbent, subprocubent, black when dry, subglabrous. Leaves distinctly in unequal /inaequilateral pairs, blade papery, obovate or ovate, 6--18 × 3--6.5 cm, apex obtuse, rarely subacute, base cuneate, subentire, upper surface sparsely strigose hirtellate, lower surface subglabrous or villose on midrib and lateral veins, midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 10--14 pairs, arcuate ascending, reticular veinlets sparse, purplish when dry, distinct on lower surface; petioles 1--3 cm long, subglabrous; stipules large, broadly ovate, 6--8 mm long, base broad, apex acuminate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, helicoid; peduncles curved and pendent, ca. 3 mm long, densely villose, with 2--3 branchess; bracteoles linear, 8--15 × 1--1.4 mm, sparsely pinninerved, margin very sparsely ciliate. Flowers with pedicels very short; calyx tubes small, compressed turbinate, ca. 2 × 2.5 mm, 5-ribbed, densely multicellular villose, lobes 5, linear, 6--7 mm long, with a line of bristles /setae along the midrib on dorsal surface; corolla with 5 wing-likre vertical ridges/ribs covered by a line of stiff hairs /hirsute; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 0.7 mm long, glabreous, anthers oblong, ca. 2 mm long; disc compressed, 2-parted; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, inserted at a ascending placenta, style short, stigmas 2-lobed, lobes oblong, ca. 2 mm long. Fl. Nov.
Dense forests in valley; ca. 400 m. Hunan (Huitong).
10. Ophiorrhiza macrodonta H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 25, fig. 6. 1990.
大齿蛇根草 da chi she gen cao
Large herbs or subshrubs, 1--2.5 m tall; old branches usually brownish red, subglabrous, young branches turning black when dry, brown pubescent. Leaves papery, blade oblong to ovate oblong, sometimes ovate, 6.5--17 × 2.5--5.5 cm, apex acuminate, obtuse, base cuneate, decurrent, entire, subglabrous on both surfaces or sparsely sparsely scattered pubescent on upper surface, pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface, upper surface grayish brown, lower surface pale; lateral nerves 14--16 pairs, slightly dense, slendar, slightly prominent on both surfaces when dry, reticular veins slendar; petioles usually 1--2 cm long, sometimes longer; stipules ovate to lanceolate ovate, 0.5--1.6 cm long, usually 0.9--1.2 cm long, base broad, apex acuminate, entire or occasionally few thick dentate, with midribs and straight parallel nerves, subglabrous. Inflorescence terminal, pendulous first, erect later, many-flowered; peduncles usually ca. 1 cm long, shortly branched, densely covered with brown stiff hairs. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels 1--1.5 mm long, hispidulous; bracteoles sublinear, ca. 7--9 mm long, base 1.2--1.4 mm wide, ciliolate, sometimes sparsely pilose on dorsal surface (/on dorsal/abaxial surface), persistent; calyx tubes ca. 1 mm tall, ca. 1.4 mm wide, indistinctly 5-ribbed, hispidulous, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm long, obtuse subglabrous; corolla reddish (greenish yellow in bud), turbinate funnelform, membranacous, glabrous outside, villose inside, tubes ca. 13--14 mm long, throat distinctly expanded, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 2 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate, broadly vertical winged on dorsal surface, wing lunate above the middle, ca. 0.6mm wide; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 3 mm long, slightly exserted out of corolla tube mouth, style ca. 2.5 mm long, stigmas 2, sublinear, ca. 2 mm long. Capsules obcordate, 2.5--3 mm tall, 7.5--9 mm wide, hispidulous. Fl. Sep.
Wet places under forests; 1500 m. Yunnan.
11. Ophiorrhiza pauciflora Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 84. 1880.
少花蛇根草 shao hua she gen cao
Herbs; stems and branches gracile, creeping at base, pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate, 1.5--5 × 0.8--2.5 cm, apex obtuse, base broadly cuneate to subrotund, sometimes slightly contracted and decurrent, upper surface turning dark purpule when dry, appressedlong hairy, lower surface pale purple or greyish yellow, pubescent on midrib and lateral veins; lateral nerves 5--9 pairs, distinct on both surfaces, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles ca. 5--10 mm long, sometimes to 20 mm, pubescent; stipules usually bifid, lobes triangular base, filiform acuminate at apex, 3--5 mm long, persistent. Inflorescence terminal (panicle of cymes), with peduncles ca. 1 cm long, pubescent. Flowers heterostylous; pedicels short, 0.5—1 mm long glabrous or pubescent; bracteoles linear, 2.5--3.5 mm long, ciliate, persistent; calyx tubes small, ca. 1.5 mm long, hispid pubescent, lobes sublanceolate, slightly longer than calyx tube or subequal; corolla white, hispid, tubular, 9--10 mm long. Capsules obcordate, ca. 2mm tall, ca. 4.5 mm wide; pubescent. Fl and fr. May--Oct.
Dense forests. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [NE India].
12. Ophiorrhiza dulongensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 27. 1990.
独龙蛇根草 du long she gen cao
Herbs; stems creeping, slightly fleshy, slendar and long, 1.2--2 mm in diameter when dry, purplish brown, pubescent. Leaves membranaceous papery, blade broadly ovate or ovate, 1--4 × 0.6--2.5 cm, apex acute, base broadly cuneate to rotund, often green when dry, scattered scabrously strigose on upper surface, more or less pilose along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 4--6 pairs, slendar, distinct on both surface, slightly purplish brown on lower surface, veinlets indistinct; petioles 3--10 mm or longer, densely hairy; stipules subulate, caudate acuminate, 4--6 mm long, subglabrous, inflorescence terminal, 3---4-flowered, fascicled; peduncles slendar, terete, subglabrous, ca. 1 cm slightly longer. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers: bracts and bracteoles both linear, ca. 1 mm long, subglabrous; calyx ca. 3--4 mm long, calyx tubes 5-ribbed, lobes 5, narrowly lanceolate or lanceolate, slightly longer than calyx tube, subglabrous or puberulent; corolla white, funnelform, 11 mm long, subglabrous outside, throat densely hairy inside, lobes triangular ovate, 2.5--3 mm long, ribbed on dorsal surface in bud; stamens exserted in the middle of corolla tube, anthers linear; style extended to corolla tube mouth, stigmas large, 2-parted; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in corolla tube throat; style extended to the middle of corolla tube. Fl. Jul.
Evergreen broad-leaved forests; 2300—2400 m. NW Yunnan.
13. Ophiorrhiza hayatana Ohwi in Fedde, Rep. Sp. Nov. 36: 57. 1934(nom. nov).
瘤果蛇根草 liu guo she gen cao
O. stenophylla Hayata.
Herbs erect, ca. 50 cm tall; stems slendar, subterete or slightly 4-angled, glabrous or pubescent. Leaves narrowly oblong or suboblong, 8--15 × 1.5--3 cm, apex long acuminate, base attenuate, glabrous or subglabrous on both surfaces; petioles 1--2 cm long, pubescent; stipules tiny, triangular, apex callose. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, many-flowered; peduncles 2--4 cm long, dichotomous, helicoid; bracteoles linear; calyx tubes suburceolate, tuberculate, ca. 2 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, oblong lanceolate, obtuse, slightly shorter than or subequal to calyx tube, more or less thickened on dorsal surface; corolla white, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 12 mm long, glabrous inside, lobes 5, triangular, 3--4 mm long, throat hairy, stamen included, filaments 2 mm long, anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm long; disc bifid; style 1 cm long, stigmas bifid. Capsules obcordate, ca. 1 cm wide, tuberculate .
Broad-leaved forests at medium elevations. Taiwan.
14. Ophiorrhiza macrantha H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):28, fig. 7. 1990.
大花蛇根草 da hua she gen cao
Herbs, 20--50 cm tall; stems erect or procumbent and rooting on nodes at base /lower portion, orange when dry, subglabrous or sometimes puberulous when young. Leaves thinly papery or papery, blade oblong ovate or subovate, sometimes oblong, 4--16 × 1.8--4.5 cm, apex caudate, base broadly cuneate or sometimes subrotund, margin usually undulate, upper surface grayish green when dry, glabrous, lower surface pale green or yellowish green, glabrous or puberulent along midrib and lateral nerves of young leaf; lateral nerves 7--9 pairs, distinct on upper surface, prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--4 cm long, glabrous or sometimes puberulent; stipules linear, 6--8 mm long, base slightly broad, with a globular gland at apex and each sides of base. Inflorescence terminal, slightly loose, many-flowered; peduncles 2--2.5 cm long, branches helicoid, 0.5--2 cm long, both puberulent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous; long-styled flowers with pedicels 1.5--3 mm long, puberulent; bracteoles linear ensiform, ca. 2 mm long, ciliolate; calyx tubes cupulate, ca. 2.5 mm tall, ca. 2 mm wide, 10-ribbed, subglabrous or puberulent, limb shortly tubular at lower part, 5-lobed on upper part, lobes triangular, subequal or unequal, 1.5--2 mm long, subglabrous; corolla reddish or pink, subfunnelform, glabrous outside, tubes 2.2--2.3 cm long, with a ring of slightly dense white villous hairs in the middle inside, sparsely villose above the middle, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 5.5 mm long, apex rostrate incurved, sparsely villose inside, with a membranous wing on dorsal surface, wing ca. 0.8 mm wide, with a spur at apex; stamens 5, inserted below the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers linear, ca. 3.5 mm long; style ca. 19 mm long, stigmas 2, oblong, flat and thin, ca. 2 mm long; disc highly convex, entire or shallowly bifid; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in throat, filaments 1.5 mm long, anthers ca. 3 mm long, slightly exserted; style 7 mm long, stigma lobes lanceolate, ca. 4 mm long. Immature fruit green, nearly mitriform, ca. 3 mm tall, 7--7.5 mm wide, 10-ribbed, glabrous, persistent calyx lobes not depauperate, seeds many, brownish red, angulate. Fl. Mar.
Stream sides under dense forests; ca. 3000 m. Yunnan.
15. Ophiorrhiza nutans C. B. Clarke in Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 84. 1880.
垂花蛇根草 chui hua she gen cao
Herbs covered with reddish brown moniliform multicellular villous hairs; young branches /young shoots slightly fleshy, densely hairy. Leaves distinctly anisophyllous/in inaequilateral pairs, blade papery, ovate, lanceolate, elliptic or oblong, 3--8(--13) × 1.5--4 cm, apex cuspidate, obtuse, base attenuate, broadly cuneate or subrotund, entire or undulante, ciliolate, sparsely long hairy on upper surface, hairy along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 9--13 pairs, slendar, with end branching and joining near margin, brownish red when dry, net-veined on lower surface obvious; petioles 0.5--2 cm long, densely hairy; stipules large, 0.8--1 cm long, lanceolate or subovate, acuminate, sometimes ovate at base, awned long acuminate at apex. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, usually crowded in heads, peduncles slightly stout, 1--3 cm long, densely hairy. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels often very short; bracteoles linear oblong or sometimes lanceolate, 8--10 mm long, apex obtuse or sometimes subacute, pinninerved, very long ciliate, fimbriate, sometimes with a linear lobe at each side; calyx tubes subturbinate, ca. 1.5 × 1.5--2 mm, densely hairy, lobes 5, sublanceolate, ca. 1.2 mm long, glabrous or sparsely bristly along midrib on dorsal surface;corolla white, thin, subtubulate, glabrous or sparsely bristly outside, tubes ca. 9 mm long, slightly curved near base, with scattered white pubescent above the middle inside, lobes 5, subtriangular or subovate, 2--3 mm long, hairy inside, very narrowly winged on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted at 1/3 of corolla tube near base, filaments very short, anthers oblong linear, ca. 2 mm long; style ca. 8.5 mm long, pubescent, stigmas 2-lobed, lobes ca. 1.3 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens 5, inserted above the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long, anthers ca. 1.2 mm long; style 1 mm long, stigmas linear, ca. 2 mm long. Capsules mitriform, ca. 2.5 × 6--7 mm, pubescent or subglabrous.
Yunnan, Xizhang (Motuo) [NE India, Nepal, Sikkim].
16. Ophiorrhiza fasciculata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 136. 1825.
簇花蛇根草 cu hua she gen cao
Subshrub erect; stems ligneous at base, pilose or puberulent. Leaves papery, blade elliptic, upper leaves 10--12 × 4--5.5 cm, apex caudate acuminate, acumen ca. 1 cm long, attenuate toward base, upper surface turning black when dry, glabrous or scattered strigose, lower surface pale green, puberulent on veins; lateral nerves 10--13 pairs, rather dense; petioles 1--1.5 cm long, puberulent; stipules long triangular, ca. 1 cm long, puberulent, ciliate. Cymes terminal, compact in flower ; bracteoles large and obvious, oblong lanceolate, 1 × 4 mm, foliaceous, with distinct pinninerved laternal nerves, ciliate, persistent. Flowers subsessile; calyx tubes compressed cylindric, hairy, teeth very short, obtuse triangular; corolla white, 1.3--1.9 cm long, tubes thin and long, limb lobes oblong. Capsules rhombic, compressed, hairy. fr. Aug.
Broad-leaved forests; 1700 m. Xixhang (Motuo) [Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan].
17. Ophiorrhiza hainanensis Y. C. Tseng in Fl. Hainanica 3: 311, 582, fig. 739. 1974.
海南蛇根草 hai nan she gen cao
Herbs, 30--50 cm tall; stems erect or decumbent, few branched, creeping at base, young branches glandular pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade elliptic, rarely ovate, 6--13 × 2.5--5 cm, apex short acuminate, base more or less cuneate, both surfaces green when dry, glabrous on upper surface, pubescent along veins on lower surface, slightly denser on midrib; lateral nerves 15--17 pairs, arcuate ascending , reticular veins distinct on both surfaces; petioles 1--2.5 cm long, puberulent; stipules triangular, apex awned acute, 3--5 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, compact, peduncles stout, 5--10 mm long; bracteoles foliaceous, distinctly midribed, 5--6 × ca. 2 mm, viscid ciliate along margin. Flowers only seen in bud; calyx sparsely hairy, tubes ca. 2.2 mm long, lobes triangular, ca. 1 mm long; corolla tubular. Capsules ca. 9 mm wide, ca. 4 mm tall, slightly hairy. Fl. and fr. Dec.
Dense forests, uncommon. Hainan (Baoting, Qiongzhong).
18. Ophiorrhiza austroyunnanensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 30. fig. 8. 1990
滇南蛇根草 dian nan she gen cao
Herbs; stems and branches usually procumbent and rooting on nodes at base, pubescent or tomentose. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate or elliptic, sometimes oblong or lanceolate, usually 2—5(--7) cm long, , apex obtuse, base cuneate to subrotund, margin entire or undulate, usually turning grayish when dry, sparsely pilose on upper surface, long and multicellular pilose along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 7--9 pairs, slightly obvious, turning brown on lower surface when dry; reticular veins indistinct; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long, densely pubescent or tomentose; stipules ovate, 5--7 mm long, apex long acuminate, long ciliate. Inflrescence terminal, compact capitate, loose when fruiting; peduncles slendar, ca. 2--3 cm long, glabrous or subglabrous. Flowers dimorphic , heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels very short or subsessile; bracts membranous, elliptic oblong, 5--6 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm slightly wider, bracteoles slightly smaller; calyx tubes subturbinate, 0.8--1 mm long, 5-ribbed, glabrous, lobes 5, long triangular, ca. 0.4 mm long; corolla turbinate, ca. 4 mm long, with a ring of white long hairs in throat inside, lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 1.3 mm long,; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube near base, extended to the middle of corolla tube, anthers linear; style extended to the throat, stigmas fleshy, bilobed, lobes capitate; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted slightly above the middle of corolla tube, extended to the throat; style extended to the middle of corolla tube, stigmas thin, ovate. Capsules ca. 1.5 mm tall, ca. 3.5 mm wide, glabrous, white short striate. Fl. May.
Thickets; 1500 m. Yunnan.
19. Ophiorrhiza hispida Hooker. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 83. 1880.
尖叶蛇根草 jian ye she gen cao
Herbs, to 1 m tall, branches slightly densely villose /hispid, slightly fleshy. Leaves opposite, in more or less unequal pairs, blade thinly papery, ovate, rarely broadly ovate, 7--17 × 3.5--7 cm or slightly wider, apex acuminate, base broadly cuneate, subinaequilateral /oblique , more or less decurrent, subentire, with scattered short hairs /hispid on both surfaces, slightly denser on lower surface, turning grey or olive-green when dry; lateral nerves 9--14 pairs, slendar, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 1.5--4(--7) cm long, densely pilose /hispid; stipules sublanceolate, base broad, upper portion filiform, long acuminate, pilose and ciliate, /hispid at margin. Inflorescence terminal, villose, many- and dense-flowered; peduncles stout, ca. 1.5 cm or slightly longer. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels very short, bracts and bracteoles linear, 3--4 mm longer, ciliate, persistent; calyx tubes subturbinate, ca. 1 mm long, 5-ribbed, pilose, lobes subtriangular, ca. 0.5 mm long, usually with a gland between lobes; corolla pale purple, occasionally white, narrowly turbinate, tubes 10--12 × ca. 1.5 mm, scatteredly pilose /hispid outside, with a ring of white long and dense hairs near the middle inside, lobes small, ovate triangular; stamens 5, inserted below the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 0.5 mm long, anthers ca. 2 mm long, style ca. 8 mm long, stigmas slightly fleshy, ca. 1.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted above the middle of corolla tube, filaments 2.3--2.5 mm long. Capsules ca. 2 × 5 mm, pilose /hispid; seeds brown, angular.
Under forests. SW Yunnan [NE India].
20. Ophiorrhiza lurida Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 82. 1880; 西藏植物志4：437.1985；横断山区微管植物下册：1889. 1994.
黄褐蛇根草 huang he she gen cao
Herbs slendar; stems creeping, ascending, puberulous, rooting on nodes below the middle, solitary or few-branched. Leaves opposite, papery, blade ovate or ovate lanceolate, upper leaves 2--2.3 × 1.2--1.3 cm,middle andlower leaves gradually smaller, only 6 mm in length and width at base, upper surface green, lower surface pale green, apex acute, base subrotund, puberulent along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 4--5 pairs; petioles 1--4 mm long; stipules linear, 3--4 mm long. Cymes terminal, few-flowered, compact; bracteoles obvious, subulate linear, 3--4 mm long. Flowers with pedicels ca. 1 mm long; calyx glabrous, calyx tubes cupuliform, ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, narrowly long triangular, 1 mm long; corolla white, turning yellow when dry, glabrous outside, tubes 4.5 mm long, villose in throat inside, lobes obtuse triangular, 1.5 mm long, narrowly winged on dorsal surface,; stamens 5, inserted near the base of corolla tube, filaments ca. 2 mm long, anthers linear oblong, ca. 1 mm long. Fl. Aug.
Broad-leaved forests or Tsuga forests; 1800--2300 m. NW Yunnan, Xizhang (Motuo) [Sikkim].
21. Ophiorrhiza brevidentata H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 32. 1990.
短齿蛇根草 duan chi she gen cao
Herbs. Stem slendar, terete, purplish red or purplish brown when dry, densely hirsute, loosely branched. Leaves unequal in opposite pair, blade papery, ovate, large leaves 2--6 cm long, small leaves only 1/2--1/3 of large leaf, apex cuspidate, base rotund obtuse or broadly cuneate, adpressed strigose on upper surface, sometimes very dense, villose on lower surface, or sometimes only hairy along veins; lateral nerves 9--11(--15) pairs, prominent on both surfaces, more distinct on lower surface; petioles ca. 1 cm long, pubescent; stipules lanceolate, acuminate, 5--6 mm long, villose. Inflorescence terminal, several- to many-flowered, peduncles 1.5--4.5 cm long, densely pilose, branches helicoid, short and compact, sometimes compact capitate; bracts oblong lanceolate or oblong, ca. 7 mm, ciliate, bracteoles slightly smaller; calyx tubes ca. 1.2 mm long, pubescent; calyx lobes subtriangular, 0.7--0.9 mm long; corolla pink or purplish red, glabrous or puberulent at apex in bud, tubular, tubes 1.1 cm long, villose above middle inside, very densely hairy in throat, lobes small, ca. 1.5 mm long, with a corniform appendage on dorsal surface at apex; stamens inserted in throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers oblong linear, ca. 1.5 mm long; style short, ca. 2 mm long, stigmas subspathulate, ca. 1.3 mm long. Capsules ca. 6 mm wide, ca. 2 mm tall, puberulent. Fl. Apr--May; fr. Jun.
Stream sides under forests. Yunnan.
22. Ophiorrhiza wui H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 33. 1990.
吴氏蛇根草 wu shi she gen cao
Herbs fleshy, ca. 30 cm tall, decumbent and rooting on nodes at base /lower portion; stems slendar and long, old branches subterete, reddish brown when dry, puberulent, young branches striate-canaliculate, densely pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, ovate or lanceolate ovate, 5--11 × 1.8--4 cmor larger, apex acuminate, obtuse, base cuneate, slightly decurrent, glabrous or sparsely very short hairy on upper surface, crisped pubescent along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 5--7 pairs, slendar, obvious on both surfaces, slightly prominent in semiterete on lower surface; petioles 1--2.5 cm long, pubescent; stipules subfiliform, ca. 6 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles 1--2.5 cm long, together with axis with 2 lines of very dense short soft hairs/pubescence, branches 3--6, alternate, helicoid. Flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles absent or minute; calyx small, ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes small, ca. 0.4 mm long, glabrous; corolla white or reddish, tubulate, ca. 7 mm long, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 4.5--5 mm long, densely hairy in throat, lobes oblong, distinctly vertical winged on dorsal surface, reflexed in anthesis; stamens inserted in the middle of corolla tube.. Fl. Apr.
Wet limestones; ca. 1100 m. Yunnan [Luxi].
23. Ophiorrhiza ochroleuca Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 78. 1880.
黄花蛇根草 huang hua she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 40 cm tall; young branches pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade elliptic, 13--15 × 4.5--6 cm, apex short acuminate or subacute, obtuse, base cuneate, entire, upper surface pale green when dry, subglabrous, lower surface pale, pilose along midrib and lateral nerves; lateral nerves 10--12 pairs, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--4.5 cm long, subglabrous; stipules subovate or triangular, abruptly narrow at apex, ca. 5 mm long, apex with a gland. Inflorescence terminal, pubescent, peduncles ca. 3 cm long, densely covered with white raphides, with 4--6 helicoid branches of 1--3 cm long. Flowers with pedicels 1--3 mm long or subsessile on upper portion, bracteoles absent or minute; calyx tubes subturbinate, ca. 3 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, ca. 0.5 mm long, pubescent; corolla yellow, tubulate, 5-ribbed at apex, 6.5--7.5 mm long, glabrous outside and inside; stamens 5, inserted at 1/3 of corolla tube near base, filaments short, anthers linear, ca. 2.2 mm long, style stout, ca. 4 mm long, stigmas thin, ca. 1.5 mm long. Capsules ca. 7.5 mm wide, ca. 3 mm tall, with white raphides, pubescent.
Wet places under forests. Yunnan [Sikkim, Bhutan, NE India].
24. Ophiorrhiza rosea Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 78. 1880.
美丽蛇根草 mei li she gen cao
Herbs or subshrubs, 60--100 cm tall; stems and branches stout, slightly fleshy, distinctly rugose and grayish yellow when dry, glabrous except young shoots pubescent. Leaves thinly papery or submembranous, ovate or broadly ovate, usually 10--22 × 5--10 cm, sometimes smaller, apex abruptly acute, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, rarely obtuse or subcordate, glabrous on upper surface, densely very short rigid hairy /hispidulous along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; midrib impressed on upper surface, prominent on lower surface, lateral nerves 8--13(--16) pairs, slendar, prominent on lower surface, slightly obvious net-veined; petioles usually 1--3(--5) cm long, pubescent; stipules 5--7 mm long, 2-parted nearly to base, lobes subulate, apex awned caudate. Inflorescence terminal, nearly paniculate, 3--5 cm long, many-flowered; peduncles and helicoid branches pubescent /puberulent?. Flowers with pedicels 1--1.5 mm long, sometimes very short; bracteoles absent or minute and caducous; calyx tubes compressed turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm tall, 5-ribbed, densely mealy pubescent, lobes subtriangular, ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla purplish red, sometimes vertically 5-ribbed, ridges indistinct in blooming, funnelform tubulate, tubes 8--9 mm long, base ca. 1.7 mm wide, glabrous outside and inside, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 1 mm long; stamens 5, inserted near the middle of corolla tube, filaments 1.5--2 mm long, anthers linear, 2--2.8 mm long, included; style 7--7.5 mm long, subglabrous, stigmas 2-lobed, lobes thin, ovate elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm long, slightly taller than anthers; disc bifid. Capsules broadly mitriform, ca. 3 mm tall, ca. 8 mm wide, subglabrous or mealy pubescent. Fl. Oct--Dec.
Under broad-leaved forests; 1300—2100 m. Yunnan, Xizhang (Motuo) [Sikkim, NE India, Myanmar,Thailand].
25. Ophiorrhiza liukiuensis Hayata, Ic. Pl. Formos. 2: 89. 1912
小花蛇根草 xiao hua she gen cao
O. parviflora Hayata; O. kotoensis Hatusima; O. kuroiwai Makino.
Herbs, ca. 60 cm tall, stem 4-angled, very shortly pubescent. Leaves membranous, oblong ovate, 8--15 × 3.5--6 cm, apex acute, obtuse, base cuneate attenuate, upper surface slightly scabrous, hairy along veins on lower surface, turning red or pale when dry, entire, ciliolate when yopung; petioles 2--3 cm long; stipules 2-parted, lobes cuspidate or filiform, 2--3 mm long, pubescent. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles 4--5 cm long, cymosely branched, branches pilose, helicoid. Flowers many-flowered and compact, pedicel very short or 2 mm long, bracteoles absent; calyx tubes urceolate, 1--1.5 mm tall, lobes 5, triangular, 0.3--0.5 mm long, with a keel/carinate on dorsal surface; corolla campanulate, 3.5--4.5 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous below the middle of corolla tube inside, throat white long hairy, lobes 5, ovate triangular, tuberculate inside; stamens 5, inserted at base of corolla tube, filaments 1.5 mm long, anthers oblong, 1--1.25 mm long, both ends slightly concave; style 3.5 mm long, stigmas bifid, lobes flat and round. Capsules 9 mm wide, 3--3.5 mm tall, 5-ribbed; base very obtuse, apex truncate or slightly concave, crowned by a highly convex persistent disc, pubescent; seeds sawdust-shaped, angulate, sharply ribbed at angles, minutely aeriolate?.
Taiwan [Japan, Philippines].
26. Ophiorrhiza aureolina H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 34. 1990.
金黄蛇根草 jin huang she gen cao
Herbs, 10--30(--45) cm tall, erect or decumbent and rooting at base; stems and branches terete or branchlets compressed and usually striate when dry, densely golden yellow pubescent. Leaves papery, blade ovate or lanceolate, sometimes oblong, 1.5--6 × 0.8--2 cm or larger, apex caute or shortly acuminate, base cuneate or attenuate, turning yellow or greyish yellow when dry, sparsely strigose or glabrescent on upper surface, golden yellow pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface, rarely pubescent on both surfaces; lateral nerves usually 9 pairs, slendar, depressed on lower surface, slightly distinct on both surfaces; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long, densely golden yellow pubescent; stipules 2-parted, lobes triangular/deltoid at base, filiform or setiform acuminate at apex, 3--8 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, densely many-flowered, hairy as branchlets, peduncles 0.5--1.5 cm long, branches helicoid, short, distinctly elongated in fruition. Flowers with pedicels short or very short; bracteoles absent or minute and caduceus early; dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers: calyx densely golden yellow pubescent, tubes turbinate, 1.2--1.5 mm tall, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, subtriangular, 0.5--0.7 mm long; corolla pale yellow or white, sometimes reddish, subtubulate, hispidulous outside, tubes 3--4 mm long, slightly swollen below middle, with a ring of white long hairs in throat inside, lobes 5, subovate, 1--1.3 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube at 0.5 mm from base, filaments short, anthers ca. 1 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style 2.7 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, orbiculate, ca. 0.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; corolla throat with a ring of white long hairs; stamens inserted near the middle of corolla tubes, filaments 0.5 mm long, anthers 0.7 mm long; style 0.5 mm long, stigmas narrow lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long. Capsules obcordate, ca. 2 mm tall, 4--5.5 mm wide, pubescent. Fl. Jul.
Forests; ca. 1800 m. Yunnan [Xishuangbanna].
27. Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Ind. ed. Carey 2: 547. 1924.
匍地蛇根草 pu di she gen cao
O. prostrata D. Don; O. harrisiana Heyne var. rugosa (Wall.) Hooker f.; O. prostrata D. Don var. rugosa (Wall.) Kar et Panigrahi.
Herbs creeping; stems slendar, pubescent, rooting at lower nodes. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate lanceolate to lanceolate, 2--6(--11) cm long, apex caudate acuminate, base cuneate, slightly dense strigillose on upper surface, pubescent or hispidulous along nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 5--7(--11) pairs, slendar, prominent on lower surface; petioles usually shorter than 1 cm, puberulent; stipules filiform, base slightly broad, 4--5 mm long, sparsely hairy. Inflorescence terminal, 1--5 cm long, many-flowered. Flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles absent or minute, pubescent; calyx small, ca. 1.5 mm long, pubescent, lobes very small, much shorter than tube; corolla pink, tubular funnelform, ca. 8 mm long, pubescent outside in bud, glabrescent.
Evergreen forests; ca. 2100 m. Yunnan (Gongshan), Xizhang [Sri Lanka, NE India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, 中南半岛and Malaya peninsula]
28. Ophiorrhiza subrubescens Drake in Morot, Journ. de Bot. 9: 215. 1895.
变红蛇根草 bian hong she gen cao
Herbs, 15--60 cm tall; stems suberect or creeping at base, young branches pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade lanceolate to ovate, ca. 3--11 × 1--4 cm or slightly larger, apex rotund obtuse, acuminate or acute, base cuneate, margin entire or undulate, glabrous or sparsely scattered strigose on upper surface, pilose? along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface, turning red on both surfaces when dry or grayish green on upper surface; lateral nerves 7--13 pairs, midrib and lateral nerves depressed on lower surface, reticular veinlets slightly distinct on lower surface; petioles usually 0.5—2(--4) cm long, densely pilose; stipules base broad triangular, filiform cuspidate at apex, 2--3 mm long, sometimes caducous. Inflorescence terminal, densely pubescent, many-flowered and compact; peduncles 1--6 cm long, branches helicoid, usually shorter than 1 cm long, but distinctly elongated in fruitation. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels short or subsessile; bracteoles absent or minute bracteoles; calyx tubes subobcordate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1 mm tall, densely pubescent, lobes subtriangular, ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla narrowly tubulate, usually 6—8(--12) mm long, 5-ribbed in bud, pubescent outside, with a ring of white long hair in the middle inside, squamose/scaly hairy in throat and on lobes inside, lobes triangular, subovate, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, with a short corniform appendage at apex; stamens inserted in corolla tube at 1.5 mm frombase, filaments glabrous, anthers long and narrow, ca. 2 mm long; style 2--2.2 mm long, stigmas bifid, lobes thin, narrowly ovate, ca. 1.8 mm long; long-styled flowers: stamen inserted in corolla tube at ca. 1.5 mm from base, filaments very short, anthers ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 6 mm long, stigmas thin, narrowly elliptic, ca. 2 mm long. Capsules obcordate, ca. 7--8 mm wide, ca. 3 mm tall, pubescent, turning purplish red whern dry. Fl. Apr--Jul.
Shady and wet places under forests. Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan [N Vietnam].
29. Ophiorrhiza hispidula Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 523. 1834.
版纳蛇根草 ban na she gen cao
Herbs; stems and branches fleshy, creeping, rooting on nodes at base, slendar when dry, crisped puberulent. Leaves ovate or broadly ovate, sometimes sublanceolate, usually 1.5--4.5(--7) cm long, apex slightly obtuse or acute, base broadly cuneate, grayish when dry, sparsely strigillose on upper surface, pilose along veins on lower surface, sometimes very denses; lateral nerves 5--7 pairs, slendar, slightly obvious on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; stipules broad at base, apex filiform acuminate, ca. 6 mm long, sometimes caducous. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles 1--2.5 cm long, peduncles and branches pubescent. Flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles absent or minute; calyx small, ca. 1 mm long, pilose, lobes slightly shorter than tubes; corolla white, subtubulate, ca. 6 mm long, puberulent or subglabrous. Capsules obcordate, pubescent, ca. 4 mm wide, ca. 1.5mm tall. Fl. early spring to early summer.
Dense forest. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [Bengal, India (Andam isle), Malaya].
30. Ophiorrhiza rarior H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 38. 1990.
毛果蛇根草 mao guo she gen cao
Herbs, more or less covered with brown multicellular crisped long hairs except old branches; branchlets terete, stout, young branches densely lenticelate, hirsute. Leaves membranaceous papery, narrowly oblong, 13--21 × 4.5--5 cm, apex acuminate or acute, base attenuate, margin subentire, ciliate?, upper surface olive-green, sparsely strigose, lower surface pale, sparsely hirsute along veins; midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 14--18 pairs, depressed on lower surface, ascending; petioles 4--6 cm long, sparsely villose?; stipules caduceus.. Infructescence terminal, villose, peduncles 8.5 cm long, 4-angled, branches 7--8, 4--5.5 cm long, helicoid; bracts linear subulate, 7--8 mm long, bracteoles lanceolate, 4--5 mm long, long ciliate?, persistent. Capsules mitriform, ca. 4 mm tall, ca. 10--11 mm wide, crisped villose. Fl. Jun.
Wet places in forests. Guangxi (Longzhou).
31. Ophiorrhiza mitchelloides (Masam.) H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 18 (3): 277. 1998.
东南蛇根草 dong na she gen cao
Hayataella mitchelloides Masamune in Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. 24: 206. 1934; Ophiorrhiza exigua (Li) Lo; Geophila exigua Li.
Herbs, almost covered with multicellular long hairs; stems usually prostrate or creeping and ascending, rooting on nodes, rarely suberect, usually slendar and long, multibranched, very densely hairy. Leaves papery, brade braodly ovate or broadly ovate subrotund, sometimes ovate, 1--2 × 0.7--1.8 cm, apex acute or rotund obtuse, base subtruncate, rarely broadly cuneate or round, turning dark gray or nearly black on upper surface and purplish red, reddish or rarely pale on lower surface when dry, sparsely long hairy along midrib and lateral nerves on both surfaces; lateral nerves 3--5 pairs, slendar, slightly obvious; petioles slendar, 0.5--1 cm or longer, densely villose; stipules usually caduceus early. Inflorescence terminal, 1- or 2(--5)-flowered, peduncles 1--2 cm long. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with bracteoles linear, 4 mm long, villose, adnate at calyx base; calyx tubes compressed globose, ca. 1.2 mm tall, densely long hairy, lobes 5, linear, ca. 1.4 mm long, long ciliate; corolla white, funnellike salverform, 5 with 5 lines of setaceous/bristly long hairy outside, tubes ca. 1.5 cm long, with a ring of white dense hairs slightly above the middle inside, villose on other part , lobes 5, broadly ovate, 5--6.5 mm long, sparsely ciliate, without distinct ridges; stamens inserted oin the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers sublinear, ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 14 mm long, stigmas 2, linear, slightly stout, ca. 1.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in corolla throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 2.5 mm long; style ca. 7 mm long, stigmas 2, linear lanceolate, membranous, ca. 2.5 mm long, acuminate. Capsules obcordate, ca. 3.5 mm tall, ca. 9--10 mm wide, long hairy; seeds many, small and ridged. Fl. Apr; fr. Jun.
Broad-leaved forests or forests margins. Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan.
32. Ophiorrhiza purpurascens H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 39. 1990.
紫脉蛇根草 zi mai she gen cao
Herbs; stems decumbent, rooting on nodes at base, branchlets, rachis, pedicels, calyxes, leave blades and petioles covered with dense brown multicellular long hairs. Leaves opposite, subequal or slightly unequal, blade papery, ovate, 1--3 × 0.5--1.7 cm, apex acute, slightly obtuse, base rotund obtuse, slightly anisomerous/oblique, entire, brown villose on both surfaces, very dense along veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 5--8 pairs, indistinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface, turning purple when dry; petioles slightly stout, ca. 5 mm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, usually 1-flowered. Flowers with pedicels 0.3--1 cm long; bracteoles filiform, ca. 5 mm long, densely pubescent; calyx tubes small, ca. 1.5 mm long, calyx tooth filiform, 2.5--3 mm long; corolla white, narrowly subfunnelform, ca. 2.6 cm long, throat expanded, puberulent outside, with a ring of white dense hairs at the middle inside, lobes ovate triangular, 3--4 mm long, apex obtuse, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, puberulent along margin; stamens 5, inserted near the middle of corolla tube, filaments 0.5 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 2.5 mm long; style linear, extended to throat, stigmas 2-parted, lobes ovate elliptic, membranous, ca. 1.2 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules many. Fl. Sep.
Shady places in ravines; ca. 1000 m. Sichuan (Xuyong).
33. Ophiorrhiza liangkwangensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 39, fig. 10. 1990.
两广蛇根草 liang guang she gen cao
Herbs, 10--30 cm tall, covered with white or pale yellow multicellular long hairs/villose; stems usually decumbent and rooting on nodes at base. Leaves often in unequal opposite pairs, blade thinly papery or submembranous, broadly ovate or ovate, sometimes oblong ovate, usually 2--8(--11) cm long, apex acute, slightly obtuse, base subrotund or sometimes broadly cuneate, usually inaequilateral; lateral nerves 6--11 pairs, slendar, joining in arc near margin; petioles 5--20(--30) mm long; stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, usually 2--3(--6)-flowered, rarely many-flowered; peduncles 1 cm longer. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles linear or filiform, ca. 1.5 mm long, lobes 5, filiform, ca. 2 mm long, with a globular gland between lobes; corolla white or pale purple, turning yellow when dry, narrowly funnelform, tubes ca. 18--20 mm long, sparsely long hairy inside and outside, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 6 mm long, margin involute, with clear intramarginal veins, vertically ribbed on dorsal surface, with a corniform appendage at apex, usually glabrous or sometimes punctate inside; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube at 1/4--1/5 near base, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 2 mm long; style ca. 9 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes membranous, subelliptic, ca. 1.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamen inserted in throat, filaments ca. 1.3 mm long, anthers ca. 1.8 mm long, almost extended to corolla tube mouth; style ca. 3 mm long, stigmas lobes subovate, ca. 2 mm long. Capsules mitriform, ca. 3 mm tall, ca. 7 mm wide, densely long hairy; seeds many, ribbed, punctate on outer surface. Fl. Jun.
Road sides at forest margins. Guangdong (Xinyi), Guangxi.
34. Ophiorrhiza fangdingii H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):40. 1990.
方鼎蛇根草 fang ding she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 40 cm tall; stems slendar, subterete, decumbent and rooting at base, few-branched, branchlets slendar, brown, subglabrous. Leaves in unequal opposite pairs, blade papery, oblong ovate or oblong lanceolate, large ones 5--7.5 cm long, small ones 2--5 cm long, apex acuminate, obtuse, base subcuneate, more or less inaequilateral, subentire, leaden grey on upper surface, pale on lower surface, glabrous on both surfaces; lateral nerves 5--10 pairs, slendar, brown when dry, distinct on lower surface, almost invisible on upper surface, reticular veinlets sparse or indistinct, petiole slendar, 0.5--2 cm long, glabrous; stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, 4--5-flowered; peduncles ca. 1 cm long, branches short, helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels short; bracteoles linear or narrowly lanceolate, 1--1.8 × 1.5--4 mm, obtuse at apex, with midrib, glabrous on both surfaces; calyx glabrous, tubes turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.2 mm tall, ca. 2.5 mm wide, lobes 5, linear lanceolate, more or less unequal, 2--3 mm long, obtuse at apex; corolla funnelform, white, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 2.3 cm long, base ca. 3mm in diameter, throat expanded, white villose above the middle inside, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, wing extending into a short corniform appendage at apex; stamens 5, inserted below the middle of corolla tube, anthers linear, longer than filaments; disc swollen, 2-divided; style subequal in length to (or nearly as long as) corolla tube, stigmas exserted. Fl. Jan.
Wet places under forest on limestones; 1200 m. Guangxi (Napo).
35. Ophiorrhiza kwangsiensis Merrill ex Li in Journ. Arn. Arb. 24: 453. 1943.
广西蛇根草 guang xi she gen cao
Herbs creeping; stems and branches slightly slendar, yellowish brown when dry, subglabrous or puberulent on upper part, usually rooting on nodes at base. Leaves papery, blade cordate ovate, 0.8--2 × 0.7--1.5 cm, apex acute, obtuse, base cordate to subtruncate, entire, when dry leaden grey or olive-green on upper surface, pale green or slightly yellowish on lower surface, glabrous on both surfaces, rarely sparsely puberulent on upper surface; lateral nerves 4--6 pairs, slendar, usually indistinct on both surface, or sometimes slightly distinct on lower surface; petioles slendar, 5--8(--15) mm long, glabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many- or several-flowered, peduncles 0.7--1.5 cm long, branches short, helicoid, both pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels 1 mm long; bracteoles linear, 4.5--6 mm long, sparsely ciliolate; calyx tubes turbinate, indistinct 5-ribbed, ca. 1.2 mm tall, ca. 1.8 mm wide, pubescent, lobes 5, sublanceolate, usually unequal, 1.5--2.2 mm long, subglabrous; corolla pale yellow or reddish, tubular funnelform, outside subglabrous, inside sparsely pilose, tubes 9—10 mm or longer, base 1.2--1.4 mm wide, gradually expanded toward apex, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 2 mm long, vertically ribbed on dorsal surface, with corniform appendage at apex; stamens 5, inserted at 1/3 of upper corolla tube, filaments 1.5 mm long, anthers ca. 2 mm long; style ca. 3 mm long, subglabrous, stigmas 2, oblong linear, thin, ca. 1.7 mm long.. Capsules ca. 2.5 mm tall, 6--7mm wide. Fl. early spring.
Shady and wet places under forest. Guangxi (Shangsi).
36. Ophiorrhiza purpureonervis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 42. 1990
苍梧蛇根草 cang wu she gen cao
Herbs, 20--30 cm tall, glabrous except inflorescence. Leaves papery, blade ovate, sometimes lanceolate or broadly ovate, 2--7.5 × 1--4 cm, apex obtuse, base rounded or broadly cuneate, entire, leaden grey on upper surface and straw yellow on lower surface when dry; lateral nerves 6--7 pairs, unconspicupus or slightly obvious on upper surface, turning purple when dry and distinct on lower surface; petioles 3—5(--10) mm long; stipules caducous, only some remains. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, peduncles ca. 1.5--2.5 cm long, with stout and helicoid branches, densely ferruginous pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 0.5--1 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles filiform, 2.5--3 mm long, ciliate and sparsely hispidulous; calyx tubes subturbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.5 mm long, ca. 1.8 mm wide, densely pubescent, lobes 5, lanceolate, 1.5 mm long, ciliate; corolla white or pale yellow, narrowly funnelform, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 10 mm long, with a ring of white long hairs in the middle and puberulent above the middle inside, lobes 5, sublanceolate, ca. 4 mm long, with a corniform appendage of ca. 1 mm long at apex on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube at ca. 2.5mm from base, filaments ca. 0.6 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 2 mm long; style 8.9--9 mm long, stigmas 1--1.5 mm long. Immature capsules obcordate, 1.5 mm tall, ca. 4 mm wide, pubescent. Fl. Jul.
Dense forests; 250--440 m.Guangxi (Cangwu).
37. Ophiorrhiza succirubra King ex Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 82. 1880.
高原蛇根草 gao yuan she gen cao
Herbs perennial, 20--60 cm tall, branches, leaves and inflorescence usually turning red when dry; stems creeping at base, upper part suberect, subglabrous or with a line of short soft hairs. Leaves thinly papery, blade lanceolate long elliptic to ovate elliptic, 5--11(--15) ×. 2.5--4(--5.5) cm, apex acuminate or caudate acuminate, base cuneate, entire or irregularly undulate, glabrous on both surfaces or sparsely pubescent on upper surface, shiny; lateral nerves and midrib broadly depressed, slightly prominent on lower surface, lateral nerves 7--10 pairs, arcuate, disappearing or joining and forming a loom intramarginal vein near margin; petioles 0.5--2 cm long, usually subglabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered and compact, often pendulous first, gradually erect later, peduncles slightly stout, 1--1.5 mm long, with branches short and ascending, with a line of dense pebuscent hairs. Flowers with pedicels 1--1.5 mm long, densely pubescent; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 6--9 mm long, acute or slightly obtuse, sparsely pinninerved, glabrous, tubes submitriform, 5(--10)-ribbed, ca. 1.5 mm tall, ca. 3.5 mm wide, densely pubescent, lobes 5, broadly ovate triangular or lanceolate triangular, usually slightly unequa, 1.4--1.8 mm long, slightly obtuse at apex, glabrous, with a gland between lobes; corolla pink or tube white, subtubulate, tubes 7--7.5 mm long, swollen at base, attenuate toward apex, gradualy expanded near throat, villose inside, lobes 5, broadly ovate, ca. 2.5 mm long, with a narrow keel on dorsal surface, stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments short, anthers linear, ca. 2.5 mm long; style extending to the middle of corolla tube, stigmas linear, ca. 2.5 mm long, surrounded by anthers. Capsules pubescent. Fl. Jul--Oct.
Broad-leaved forests; above 2000 m. Yunnan, Xizhang (Motuo), Guizhou [Nepal, Sikkim].
38. Ophiorrhiza grandibracteolata How ex H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 43, fig. 11. 1990.
大苞蛇根草 da bao she gen cao
Herbs, 15--70 cm tall; stems subterete, decumbent and rooting on nodes at base, sometimes slightly ligneous, slightly fleshy on pper portion, covered with dense multicellular moniliform long hairy, sometimes mixed with unicellular villous hairs. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate, sometimes broadly ovate or lanceolate ovate, in unequal pairs, large ones usually 4—12(--15) × 2--4.5(--6) cm, small ones usually 2--4(--6) × 1.2--2.5 cm, apex acute, sometimes short acuminate, base broadly cuneate to slightly obtuse, sometimes indistinct decurrent, when dry usually turning black grey on upper surface, reddish or sometimes pale brown on lower surface, with multicellular long hairy along midrib and lateral nerves on both surfaces; lateral nerves 7--10 pairs, slendar, arcuately ascending in an angle of 60°; petioles stout, 0.5--2(--3) cm long, densely covered with multicellular long hairs; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, umbellate, 5- to many-flowered, rarely 1-Flowered, dimorphic, long-styled flowers with pedicels stout, ca. 2 mm long, covered with multicellular long hairy; bracts and bracteoles ovate or lanceolate, 1--1.5 cm long, midrib and lateral nerves distinct,reticular veins sparse, with multicellular long hairs along margin and midrib on dorsal surface; calyx multicellular long hairy, tubes slightly broad turbinate, 2--2.3 mm tall, 2.1--2.4 mm wide, lobes long triangular, 1--1.2 mm long; corolla white or reddish, turning purplish red when dry, subfunnelform, 2.7--3 cm long, with 5 lines of long hairs from the middle of corolla tube to apex of corolla lobes outside, with a band of white long hairs in the middle inside, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 5 mm long, sparsely net-veined, narrowly winged on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments 0.8--1 mm long, anthers 2.8--3 mm long, or inserted in throat, filaments 0.5 mm long, anthers linear, 3 mm long; style 2.1--2.3 cm long, glabrous, stigmas 2-parted, clavate/clavate, 1.5 mm long. Capsules 4--4.5 mm tall, 11 mm wide, crisped villose. Fl. around Nov.
Wet places under forests; 1200--1500 m. Yunnan, Guangxi (Napo).
39. Ophiorrhiza rhodoneura H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 45, fig. 12. 1990.
红脉蛇根草 hong mai she gen cao
Herbs, 30--50 cm tall, covered with ferruginous, reddish, crisped, multicellular long soft hairs /villose; stems subterete, slightly stout, ca. 3.5mm in diameter at base, together with branchlets densely villose. Leaves subcoriaceous papery, blade ovate or elliptic, 5.5--12 × 2.5--6 cm, apex acute, base subrotund, glabrous on upper surface, villose along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 9--13 pairs, slightly dense, indistinct on upper surface, prominent on lower surface, turning ferruginous red; petioles 1--4 cm long, densely villose; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, crowded in pseudoumbelliform, densely villose; peduncles 3--3.5 cm long, with branches short and helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels short; bracteoles ensiform linear, 10--13(--15) mm long, 1.5--2 mm; together with calyx densely crisped villose; calyx compressed turbinate, lobes 5, minute, dentiform; corolla subfunnelform, 3--3.5 cm long, more or less hairy outside, tubes cylindrical, 2.5--3 mm in diameter at base, villose below middle inside, lobes 5, subovate, 6--8 mm long, apex incurved rostrate, with a membranaceous ciliate narrow wing on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted slightly above the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 2 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 4.5 mm long; disc elevated, 2 2-parted; style filiform, ca. 3 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 6 mm long. Capsules obcordate mitriform, ca. 4.5 mm tall, ca. 8--10 mm wide, villose. Fl. Sep. fr. Nov.
Broad-leaved forests; ca. 1300 m. Guangxi (Napo).
40. Ophiorrhiza crassifolia H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 47. 1990.
厚叶蛇根草 hou ye she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 30 cm tall; stems and old branches terete, brown, glabrous, young branches flattened, puberulent or subglabrous. Leaves thickly papery or slightly fleshy, blade broadly ovate or sometimes broadly elliptic, 5--12 × 3.5--7 cm, apex cuspidate, slightly obtuse, base broadly cuneate, subrotund or subcordate, usually subinaequilateral, entire, glabrous on both surfaces, lower surface turning purplish red or yellowish brown when dry, with many orbicular minute scales; lateral nerves 5--6 pairs, sparse, indistinct or slightly distinct on upper surface, petiole 0.5--3.5 cm long; stipules caducous. Cymes terminal, many-flowered, compact, puberulent; peduncles 2.5--5.5 cm long, with short branches, helicoid. Flowers with pedicels 2--3 mm long; bracteoles ensiform, appressed to calyx, 5--5.5 mm long, ca. 0.7 mm wide, apex obtuse, slightly fleshy; calyx tubes turbinate, 10-ribbed, ca. 2 mm long, base puberulent, lobes slightly fleshy, subtriangular, ca. 0.6 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla purplish red, salverform, glabrous outside, pilose in throat inside, tubes 24--25 mm long, base ca. 1.2 mm wide, throat ca. 2.5 mm wide, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 2.2 mm long, with a corniform spur at apex on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments very short, anthers linear, 4 mm long, style 24--25 mm long, subglabrous, stigmas short clavate, ca. 1.2--1.5 mm long, subglabrous. Capsules 15 mm wide, ca. 5 mm tall, glabrous or subglabrous. Fl. Oct.
Rocks in forests. Guangxi (Longzhou).
41. Ophiorrhiza napoensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 48, fig. 13. 1990.
那坡蛇根草 na po she gen cao
Herbs, 30 cm or taller, glabrous except inflorescence. Leaves papery, blade narrowly lanceolate to subovate, 5--12 × 1.5--3.5 cm, apex acuminate or slightly caudate, (slightly obtuse acuate,) base cuneate, sometimes subrotund, entire, greyish on upper surface and pallid yellow on lower surface when dry; lateral nerves 7--12 pairs, joining and forming indistinct intramarginal vein, distinct only on lower surface or indistinct on both surfaces; petioles shorter than 1 cm ; stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, densely flowered, golden yellow tomentose (/ferruginous minutely tomentose) or pubescent; peduncles ca. 1 cm long, with branches short and helicoid. Flowers short pedicellate or subsessile; bracteoles lanceolate linear, 1--1.4 cm long, midribed; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 2 mm long, 2.3--2.5 mm wide, 5-ribbed, pubescent, lobes 5, long triangular, unequal, large one 1.8--2 mm long, small one 1.3--1.5 mm long, slightly obtuse at apex, with 2 or 3 globose glands between lobes; corolla white, salverform, glabrous inside and outside, turning orange yellow when dry, tubes 2--2.2 cm long, throat slightly expanded, lobes 5, 2.5--3 mm long, vertically ribbed on dorsal surface, with a short spur-like appendage near apex; disc cupuliform, usually entire; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 4 mm long, slightly exserted; style glabrous, 1.3--1.4 cm long, stigmas 2.5--3 mm long, extended to throat, 2-parted, lobes thick, 2.5--3 mm long. Immature fruits obcordate. Fl. Oct.
Under forests on hill slopes. Guangxi (Napo), Yunnan (Maguan).
42. Ophiorrhiza longipes H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 49, fig. 14. 1990.
长梗蛇根草 chang geng she gen cao
Herbs, 20--100 cm tall; stems and branches flattened when dry, densely pubescent. Leaves in unequal opposite pairs, blade thinly papery, ovate or elliptic, large ones 3.5--7.5 × 2--3.2 cm, small ones 2--5 × 1.5--3 cm, apex obtuse, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, rarely subrotund, subinaequilateral, subentire, upper surface greyish green, glabrous, lower surface pale or purple, glabrous or pubescent along veins when dry; lateral nerves 6--8 pairs, distinct on lower surface, disappeared near margin; petioles 0.5--1 cm long, sometimes 3 cm , pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, 5--9-flowered, slightly loose; peduncles 2--2.5 cm long, with branches helicoid, ca. 1 cm long, pubescent. Flowers with pedicels 0.5--0.7 cm long; bracteoles subulate, 2--3 mm long, hispidulous (/hirsute); calyx tubes turbinate, 5-ribbed, 2.5 mm tall, 3 mm wide, pubescent, lobes 5, long triangular, ca. 1--1.3 mm long, apex obtuse, with gland between lobes; corolla yellowish white or slightly purple, funnelform, glabrous outside, pilose above middle inside, tubes ca. 16 mm long, throat expanded, lobes 5, ovate triangular, 5--5.5 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate,with a membranaceous wing on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 2 mm long, anthers linear, 2.5mm long; style 5 mm long, pilose, stigmas 2-parted, lobes oblong, ca. 4 mm long. Capsules 3 mm tall, ca. 7 mm wide, brownish red. Fl. Apr.
Rocks in wet and shady places under forests. Guangxi.
43. Ophiorrhiza umbricola W. W. Smith in Not. Roy. Bot. Gard. Edingb. 12: 217. 1920.
阴地蛇根草 yin di she gen cao
Herbs, 20--45(--100) cm tall; stems suberect or decumbent and rooting at baset. Branches obtusely 4-angled, turning purple when dry, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves membranous or thinly papery, blade ovate, elliptic or lanceolate, 9--15 × 3--6.5 cm, apex long acuminate or cuspidate, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, turning dark green on upper surface and pale green or red on lower surface when dry, glabrous on both surfaces or sparsely short strigose on upper surface; midrib broad, usually impressed on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 10--14 pairs, arcuate and ascending; petioles 1--4 cm long, subglabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, dense and many-flowered, peduncles 1.5--3 cm long, branches glabrous or reddish brown pubescent, helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels shorter than 1.2 mm long, calyx tubes submitriform, 1.5--2 mm tall, ca. 3 mm wide, with a gland between lobes; corolla red or purplish red, subtubulate, glabrous outside, tubes 2.2--2.4 cm long, white crisped long hairy above the middle inside, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 3(--6) mm long; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers dorsifixed at 1/3 near base, ca. 3.5 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style 1.6--1.8 cm long, stigmas 2, subelliptic, ca. 3 mm long. Capsules red when dry, mitriform, 1--1.1 cm wide, glabrous; seeds angulate. Fl. Jun.
Dense forests; 2000-3000 m. Yunnan, Xizhang (Mutuo)[Myanmar].
44. Ophiorrhiza salicifolia H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 50.1990.
柳叶蛇根草 liu ye she gen cao
Subshrubs, ca. 1m tall; stems and old branches ligneous/woody, terete, young branches flattened when dry, subglabrous except infructescence. Leaves papery, blade lanceolate linear, more or less falciform/ falcate, 4.5--11 × 0.6--1.5 cm, apex obtuse, base cuneate, turning red when dry; midrib prominent on both surfaces, lateral nerves 9--11 pairs, slendar, reticular veins indistinct; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long; stipules caducous. Infructescence large, 10--12 × ca. 8 cm, with 4--7 dichotomous helicoid branches; peduncles 4--6.5 cm long, pubescent; fruit pedicels 2--3 mm long; bracteoles linear, 4--5 mm long, acuminate, subglabrous, persistent. Capsules mitriform, 7--8 mm wide, ca. 2.5--3 mm tall, puberulent; seeds corniform. Fr. May.
Wet fertile soil. Guangxi (Shangsi).
45. Ophiorrhiza lignosa Merrill. in Brittonia 4: 176. 1941.
木茎蛇根草 mu jing swhe gen cao
Subshrubs, erect, 30--50 cm tall; old branches/stems terete, slightly ligneous, young branches indistinctly 4-angled, with 2 lines of pubescent hairs (/ minutely curved hirsute). Leaves papery or submembranous, (in subequal pairs,)? blade lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, 5--11 × 1--2 cm, apex acuminate, base long cuneate, entire, olive-green on upper surface and pale on lower surface when dry, glabrous on both surfaces or sometimes pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 8--9 pairs, slendar, branching and joining; petioles 6--20 mm long, glabrous or pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered; peduncles 1--2 cm long, branches helicoid, shorter than 1 cm long, ferruginous pubescent. Flowers with pedicels 0.5--1 mm long, slendar; bracteoles ensiform linear (or linear acuminate), 1.5--3 mm long, calyx tubes compressed turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.3 mm tall, ca. 2.5 mm wide, with short coarse stiff hairs, lobes 5, ovate triangular, 0.5--0.7 mm long, usually with a gland between lobes; corolla purple, subtubulate, glabrous outside, with a ring of white long hairs inside, villose? in throat, tubes 1--1.1 cm long, lobes broadly ovate or oblong ovate, 3 mm long, without distinct ridges and corniform appendage; stamens 5, inserted neaer the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers ca. 2.5 mm long; style ca. 1--1.1 cm long, hirsute, stigmas 2, oblong /subelliptic, ca. 1--1.5 mm long. Fl. Apr.
Forests; 1100 m. Yunnan (Malipo) [Myanmar].
46. Ophiorrhiza filibracteolata H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 52, fig. 16. 1990.
大桥蛇根草 da qiao she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 20 cm tall, covered with mealy puberulous hairs. Leaves papery, blade ovate to broadly ovate, 2.5--5.5 × 1.5--3.3 cm, apex acute, base broadly cuneate or subrotund, entire, turning dark brown when dry, glabrous on upper surface; lateral nerves 7 or 8 pairs, slendar, slightly distinct on both surfaces; petioles ca. 1--5 cm long; stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, slightly compact; peduncles ca. 3 cm long, with branches shorter than 1 cm long, helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels very short or to 2 mm long, bracteoles filiform, fleshy, 2.5--3 mm long; calyx tubes subturbinate, small, ca. 1.4 mm long, slightly 5-ribbed, lobes 5, triangular lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, slightly fleshy, ca. 0.7 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla white, funnelform subturbinate, tubes 1.1--1.2 cm long, base ca. 1.5 mm wide, with a ring of white long villous hairs at the middle inside, throat scaly scarious pilose, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 3 mm long, densely scarious vilose inside, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, with a corniform appendage at apex; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube at 1/3 from base, filaments very short, anthers linear, 2.2 mm long; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style 1--1.1 cm long, sparsely pilose, stigmas 2-lobed, lobes orbiculate, ca. 1mm; in diameter . Fl. Apr.
Forets. Guangdong (Ruyuan).
47. Ophiorrhiza nigricans H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 53, fig. 17. 1990.
变黑蛇根草 bian hei she gen cao
Herbs, 10--25 cm tall, stems suberect on upper part, creeping at base, branches slendar, slightly flattened, densely pubescent, Leaves papery, blade ovate, broadly ovate or suboblong, 1--4.5 ×0.7--2 cm or slightly longer, apex obtuse or round, sometimes acute, base subcordate to broadly cuneate, entire, when dry upper surface grey, glabrous or subglabrous, lower surface pale yellow, subglabrous or densely pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves; lateral nerves 4--5(--7) pairs, slightly distinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles shorter than 1 cm, densely pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, ca. 2--7-flowered, compact; peduncles 1--6 cm long, densely pubescent, branches very short, helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, densely hirtellate; bracteoles filiform subulate, ca. 1--2 mm long, turning black when dry; calyx densely hirtellate, turning black when dry, tubes subglobose, indistinctly 5-ribbed, 1.2--1.5 mm long, lobes 5, long subtriangular, 0.7--1 mm long,; corolla white, subtubulate, slightly fleshy, turning black when dry, tubes ca. 9--10 mm long, densely hirtellate (or subglabrous) outside, inside with a ring of white long hairs surrounding anthers (/in the middle), scaly hairy above the middle, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 1.5--1.8 mm long, apex rostrate incurved, vertically ribbed on dorsal surface, without spur-like appendage; stamens 5, inserted near base of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers suboblong, ca. 1.6 mm long; style ca. 6 mm long, glabrous, stigmas 2-parted, subelliptic, ca. 1.5mm long. Capsules turning black when dryt, ca. 6.5 mm wide, ca. 2.5 mm tall, hirtellate. Fl. Aug.
Under forests. Guangxi, Yunnan (Funing).
48. Ophiorrhiza humilis Y. C. Tseng in Fl. Hainanica 3: 583, 309, fig. 737. 1974.
溪畔蛇根草 xi pan she gen cao
Herbs dwarf, 4--6 cm or slightly taller; stems slendar, erect or creeping at base, young parts covered with yellowish brown crisped soft hairs, old parts glabrescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade elliptic, ovate or lanceolate, 5--25 × 4--12 mmor slightly longer, apex obtuse or shortly acuminate, base rounded or broadly cuneate, margin undulate, when dry green on upper surface, subglabrous or with sparse, appressed hispidulous hairs, turning red on lower surface, pubescent along veins; midrib slightly prominent on both surfaces, lateral nerves 5--6 pairs, arcuate /curved ascending, reticular veins usually indistinct; petioles 1--5 mm longer, pubescent; stipules subulate, 2--3 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, few-flowered, usually 2--5, peduncles 3--5 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles small, caduceus or absent; calyx pilose, tubes turbinate, 2.5 mm long, slightly wider than length, lobes 5, ovate, shorter than 1 mm, subacute; corolla turbulate, 4--6 mm long, throat slightly expanded, inside sparsely villose, lobes 5, oblong, apex rotund obtuse; stamens 5, inserted near base of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1.8 mm long, anthers oblong, 0.7 mm long; disc 2-divided; style 2.5--3 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes reflexed, 1--1.3 mm long. Capsules obcordate, ca. 2 mm tall, ca. 5--6 mm wide, pilose. Fl. and fr. last winter to early spring.
Rocks at stream sides. Hainan (Qiongzhong).
49. Ophiorrhiza cordata W. L. Sha in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 55, fig. 18. 1990.
心叶蛇根草 xin ye she gen cao
Herbs creeping; stem decumbent and rooting on nodes at lower part; branches covered with brown multicellular villous hairs. Leaves papery, blade broadly ovate or broadly ovoid subrotund, 3.5--6 × 2.3--4 cm, apex abruptly acute, base cordate, margin sparsely ciliate, when dry greyish black on upper surface, subglabrous or sparsely pilose, brownish on lower surface, multicellular long villose along midrib and lateral nerves; lateral nerves 5--7 pairs, extending nearly in an upright angle, branching and joining at 2--3mm from margin; petioles slightly stout, 0.8--1.7 cm long, densely brownish red villose; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles ca. 1 cm long, brownish red villose, 4--8-flowered, crowded at the end of peduncles. Flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles oblong, 3.5--6 mm long, ciliate; calyx tubes turbinate, 10-ribbed, ca. 2 mm long, subglabrous, lobes 5, triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long, obtuse at apex; corolla white, nearly tubulate funnelform, glabrous outside, inside middle with a ring of villous hairs in the middle, tubes 1.1--1.2 cm long, lobes triangular, ca. 2.2 mm long, apex inflexed, narrowly winged on dorsal surface, with a corniform appendage near apex; stamens 5, inserted near middle the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers linear, ca. 2.5 mm long; disc 2-parted; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous, style filiform, densely pubescent, ca. 9.5 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes long elliptic,membranous, ca. 2.5 mm long. Fl. Apr.
Forests. Guangxi (Napo).
50. Ophiorrhiza mycetiifolia H. S. Lo in Guihaia 11(2): 103. 1991
腺木叶蛇根草 xian mu ye she gen cao
Herbs or subshrub, 2.5m tall; branchlets striate, puberulous. Leaves thinly papery, blade elliptic ovate or elliptic, 10--20 × 4--7.5 cm, apex cuspidate, base broadly cuneate, slightly decurrent, olive-green when dry, boths sides glabrous or sparsely strigillose on upper surface; midrib impressed on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, reticular veins (/reticulate veins) distinct on lower surface; petioles flattened, 2--4 cm long, densely pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, densely many-flowered, 5--6 cm in diameter; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 5--10 mm long, acuminate, fimbriate ciliate. Flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, or sometimes subsessile; calyx tubes compressed turbinate, 4 mm wide, （stiff hairy?） 5-ribbed, lobes 5, deltoid/triangular, 1 mm long; corolla white, tubulate, tubes ca. 10--11 mm long, base 2.5--3 mm wide, glabrous outside, pubescent inside, lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 2 mm long, reflexed while blooming, with a corniform appendage of ca. 1.5--2 mm on dorsal surface near apex, pubescent inside; stamens 5, extending to the middle of corolla tube; disc cupuliform, bilobed; ovary 2-celled, ovules many, style extended to corolla tube mouth. Fl. Dec.
Sparse forests in valleys.. Guangxi (Longzhou).
51. Ophiorrhiza longicornis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 57, fig. 19. 1990.
长角蛇根草 chang jiao she gen cao
Herbs, glabrous except inflorescence; branches terete, brownish red when dry. Leaves papery, slightly thick, blade long elliptic ovate, 4--10 × 1.5--3.5 cm, apex cuspidate or caudate, obtuse, base cuneate, entire, glabrous on both surfaces, yellowish or greenish yellow on lower surface when dry; lateral nerves 7--11 pairs, slightly distinct on upper surface, turning brown on lower surface brown when dry; petioles 1--2 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, subcorymbose, many-flowered, peduncles 1.5--2.5 cm long, with branches ca. 1 cm long, puberulent. Flowers with pedicels very short, puberulent; bracteoles linear lanceolate, slightly fleshy, ca. 3--5 mm long, pungent, turning purple when dry; calyx tubes compressed globular turbinate; ca. 1.5 mm tall, ca. 2.5 mm wide, 5- or 10-ribbed, puberulent, lobes 5, triangular, 0.7--1 mm long, subglabrous, with a gland between lobes; corolla purplish red in bud, tubulate, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 4.5 mm long, base ca. 1.8 mm wide, narrowly 5-ribbed outside, with a ring of white villous hairs below the middle inside; lobes small, subtriangular, ca. 0.4--0.5 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate, with a corniform appendage of 1.5--2 mm on dorsal surface, appendage turning black when dry; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube throat, filaments very short, anthers narrowly oblong, ca. 2 mm long, extended to tube mouth; disk 2-parted; overy 2-celled, ovules numerous, style ca. 1.5 mm long, stigmas ca. 1 mm long, 2-parted. Fl. Apr.
Forests. Guangxi (Napo).
52. Ophiorrhiza densa H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 57, fig. 20. 1990.
密脉蛇根草 mi mai she gen cao
Herbs or subshrubs, to 1 m tall; old stems terete, herbaceous or slightly ligneous, brownish purple, glabrous, branchlets dirt-brown pubescent. Leaves thinly papery, blade ovate or sometimes ovate lanceolate, usually inaequilateral, usually (5--)8--15(--18) cm long, apex caudate, base subcuneate, more or less decurrent to petiole, entire, turning black on upper surface when dry, sparsely pubescent, pale purple on lower surface, crisped tomentose along veins; midrib flat on upper surface, lateral nerves dense, usually 13--18(--23) pairs, arcuate ascending, branching and disappearing near margin, reticular veins distinct on lower surface; petioles depressed, 1--3 cm or longer, densely pubescent or tomentose; stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, 4--8 cm long, many-flowered, (brown tomentose;) branches helicoids. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers: sessile or short pedicellate; bracteoles linear, ca. 3 mm long; calyx tubes turbinate or subglobular turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.2 mm long, hispidulous hairs /hirsute?, lobes 5, slightly long triangular, ca. 1 mm long; corolla pale purple, subtubulate, slightly wider in the middle, densely pubescen outside and inside, tubes ca. 10 mm long, 2--2.5 mm wide, lobes 5, subdetoid, ca. 1.5 mm long, apex incurved and rostrate, with distinctly corniform appendage on dorsal surface near apex, densely glandular pilose inside; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corola tube, filaments very short, anthers linear, ca. 3 mm long, style hispidulous (/pubescent or hirsute); stigmas 2-parted, lobes fleshy, exserted out of corolla tube mouth; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the sasme as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in corolla tube throat; filaments 2 mm long; style extended to the middle of corolla tube, included. Fl. Nov.
Dense forests; 1400--1600 m. Yunnan (Malipo).
53. Ophiorrhiza carnosicaulis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 60, fig. 21. 1990.
肉茎蛇根草 rou jing she gen cao
Herbs; stems and branches stout, fleshy, subglabrous. Leaves thickly papery, blade broadly ovate or elliptic, 11--16 × 5.5--10 cm, apex cuspidate, base subrotund, more or less decurrent, subinaequilateral, entire, glabrous on both surfaces, turning brownish yellow on lower surface when dry; lateral nerves 7--8 pairs, sparse, indistinct on upper surface, slightly wide and depressed, and turning dark brown distinctly on lower surface when dry, reticular veins indistinct on both surfaces; petioles stout, 1.5--7 cm long, subglabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, slightly sparse, many-flowered; peduncles slightly fleshy, ca. 3 cm long, with branches helicoids and 2--3 cm long, pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels stout, ca. 1 mm long; bracteoles adnate to pedicel at base, subulate ensiform, 2--3 mm long, slightly fleshy, midribed, apex obtuse; calyx tubes turbinate, 10-ribbed, 1.5--2 mm long, pubescent, lobes 5, triangular, 0.6--0.7 mm long, usually with a gland between lobes; corolla pale purple, subtubulate, glabrous outside, pilose near base inside, tubes ca. 14 mm long, lobes 5, ovate triangular, ca. 2 mm long, apex incurved rostrate, with a spur-like appendage on dorsal surface near apex; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 3.5 mm long, subglabrous, stigmas 2-parted, lobes oblong linear, ca. 3.5 mm long, extending to near the base or middle of anthers. Capsules dark purple, mitriform, 12 mm wide, 5 mm tall. Fl. Jun--Jul.
Wet places under forests. Yunnan (Hekou).
54. Ophiorrhiza alatiflora H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 62, fig. 22. 1990.
延翅蛇根草 yan chi she gen cao
Herbs or subshrubs, suberect; stems stout, terete, ligneous at base, branchlets slightly fleshy, slightly compressed when dry. Leaves papery, blade ovate or oblong ovate, 5--13 × 2--7 cm, apex shortly acuminate or sometimes subacute, base cuneate, more or less inaequilateral, subentire, turning black on upper surface when dry, pale brown on lower surface, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib prominent on lower surface, lateral nerves 7--12 pairs, indistinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface, reticular veinlets visible only on lower surface; petioles 1--1.5(--4) cm long, pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, compact; peduncles stout, 1--4 cm long, with branches 0.5--1 cm long and helicoids, pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels thick and short, densely pubescent; bracteoles narrowly lanceolate, 7--12 mm long, apex acute, sparsely ciliate or glabrous; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm tall, 5-ribbed, densely pubescent, lobes 5, subtriangular or long triangular, 0.5--0.7 mm long, puberulent, with a globose gland between lobes; corolla white, purple striate, subtubulate, glabrous outside, pubescent inside, tubes 12--15 mm long, base slightly swollen, lobes 5, subovate, ca. 2--3 mm long, apex incurved rostrate, pubescent inside, broadly winged on dorsal surface, wing membranous, 0.8--1 mm wide, decurrent to corolla tube base; stamens 5, inserted slightly below the middle of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 2.8 mm long; style 11--13 mm long, stigmas 2-divided, lobes elliptic, ca. 3 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted near the middle of corolla tube, filaments 2--2.5 mm long; style 1.2 mm long, stigmas linear, ca. 1 mm long. Capsules mitriform, ca. 3 mm tall, ca. 10 mm wide, pubescent; seeds many, angulate.
Forests. Yunnan.
1a. Leaf blade thiner, glabrous on both surfaces 54a. Ophiorrhiza alatiflora var. alatiflora
1b. Leaf blade thicker,
crisped pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface
54b. Ophiorrhiza alatiflora var. trichoneura
54a. Ophiorrhiza alatiflora Lo var. alatiflora
延翅蛇根草 (原变种) yan chi she gen cao (yuan bian zhong)
Leaves with thiner blade, glabrous on both surfaces.
Forests. Yunnan.
54b. Ophiorrhiza alatiflora Lo var. trichoneura H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 63, fig. 22. 1990.
毛脉蛇根草 mao mai she gen cao
Leaves with blade thicker, crisped pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface.
Forests. Yunnan.
55. Ophiorrhiza nandanica H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 63. 1990.
南丹蛇根草 nan dan she gen cao
Herbs, suberect, ca. 15--40 cm tall, glabrous except inflorescence; stems terete, brownish yellow when dry, slightly shiny, young branches slightly fleshy, turning black when dry. Leaves papery, blade ovate to lanceolate, 4--11 ×1.5--4.5 cm, apex acuminate, base broadly cuneate, dark grey or blackish grey on upper surface, pale yellow or greenish yellow on lower surface when dry, lateral nerves 5--9 pairs, slightly arcuate, together with midrib wide and depressed, or slightly prominent on lower surface, brown and shiny, reticular veins indistinct; petioles 1--2.5 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, compact, several-flowered, helicoid, peduncles ca. 1--2 cm long, branched, with 2 lines of dense pilose hairs. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels very short or sessile; bracteoles linear lanceolate, 3--5 mm long, with sparse laternal nerves (/sparsely pinninerved); calyx tubes submitriform, ca. 1.5 mm tall, ca. 2.8 mm wide, 5-ribbed, lobes 5 (or 6), unequal, triangular or long/narrowly triangular, 1 or 2 larger, 1--2 mm long, 3 or 4 smaller, ca. 0.7 mm long, with glands between and on lobes; corolla pale yellow, subsalverform, glabrous outside and inside, tubes slendar, ca. 1.8 cm long, base ca. 1.3 mm wide, lobes 5, long triangular, ca. 1.5 mm long, apex incurved, broadly winged on dorsal surface, wing coronary/coroniform at apex, elongated 1 mm over the lobes; stamens inserted in the middlle of corolla tube, filaments 1.1 mm long, anthers linear, ca. 5 mm long, style 15--16 mm long, stigmas 2, narrowly lanceolate, membranous, ca. 2.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in corolla tube throat, style 8.5 mm long. Capsules unseen. Fl. Oct.
Shady places under forests in limestone regions. Guangxi (Nandan).
56. Ophiorrhiza chingii H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 65. 1990.
秦氏蛇根草 qin shi she gen cao
Herbs; stems very long, brownish red when dry, glabrous or puberulent on young part, creeping at base, nodes many and dense, internode usually ca. 1--1.5(--2) cm or longer. Leaves in unequa pairs, blade thinly papery, lanceolate oblong, apex caudate acuminate, slightly obtuse, base cuneate, subentire, large ones 3.5--9.5 × 1.3--2.7 cm, small ones 1.5--6.5 × 0.7--1.8 cm, straw yellow when dry, usually turning purple near midrib, subglabrous on both surfaces or sparsely (strigose) pilose on upper surface, puberulous along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 8--9 pairs, slendar, more distinct on lower surface; petioles slendar, 0.5--3 cm long, puberulent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, sparse, few-flowered, peduncles 1--1.5 cm long, sometimes with 2--3 branches helicoid and ca. 1 cm long, pubescent (/puberulent). Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels ca. 1 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles linear, 3.5--4 mm long, obtuse, subglabrous or pilose (/puberulent); calyx tubes turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.2 mm tall, ca. 2.2 mm wide, subglabrous or pubescent (/puberulent) on lower part, lobes 5, subovate or sublanceolate, ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla white, tubulate funnelform, subglabrous outside, tubes ca. 9 mm long, with a ring of white villous hairs near middle inside, throat scaly villose; lobes 5, elliptic oblong, ca. 3 mm long, ca. 1.2 mm wide, inside scaly hairy, apex incurved, subrostrate, with a broad wing ca. 0.5mm wide on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in the corolla tube at 1/3 near base, filaments ca. 0.3 mm long, anthers ca. 2 mm long; style nearly as long as corolla tube, stigmas capitate/capitiform, 2-lobed; disk 2-pated; short-styled flowers with stamens inserted in throat; style extended/extending to the middle of corolla tube. Fl. Apr.
Wet places in forests. Yunnan (Yangbi).
57 Ophiorrhiza laoshanica H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 65. 1990.
老山蛇根草 lao shan she gen cao
Herbs, suberect, usually 0.5 m tall; old stems subterete, greyish yellow, subglabrous, young branches vertically sulcate when dry, subglabrous. Leaves in unequal opposite pairs, thinly papery, blade ovate, apex short acuminate, base abruptly narrow, more or less decurrent, large ones 6--8(--11) ×. 2--3 cm, small ones usually 1.5--5 × 1--2 cm, glabrous on both surfaces, grey or deeply grey on upper surface when dry, greyish yellow on lower surface; lateral nerves 6--9 pairs, prominent on lower surface; petioles 0.3--1 cm long, subglabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, peduncles 1--2 cm long, with branches short and helicoid, ferruginous mealy hairy. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels 0.5--1 mm long or subsessile; bracteoles filiform subulate, ca. 3 mm long, ca. 0.3 mm wide, acuminate, subglabrous; calyx tubes obconical turbinate, ca. 1.7 mm wide, ca. 1 mm tall, 5-ribbed, mealy pubescent, lobes 5 triangular (/deltoid), ca. 0.4 mm long; corolla white, shortly clavate in bud, 5--winged, tabulate funnelform in blooming, ca. 9--10 mm long, base ca. 1 mm wide, glabrous outside, densely covered with bands of villosus hairs ca. 0.5 mm long and mixed with short sacly pilose hairs above the middle inside, hairs white and unicellular, lobes 5, subovate, 0.7 mm long, with a broad semiorbiculr wing on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube throat, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long, anthers linear oblong, as long as filaments; style ca. 3 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes linear, nearly as long as style. Fl. Nov--Jun of the following year.
Wet places under forests. Guangxi.
58. Ophiorrhiza petrophila H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 66. 1990.
法斗蛇根草 fa dou she gen cao
Herbs, 50--100 cm tall, glabrous except inflorescence; stems and branches dark brown or purplish black, shiny, old branches subterete, young branches slightly compressed. Leaves papery, blade ovate or narrow ovate, usually 2--7(--9) × 1.5--3(--3.5) cm, apex cuspidate, shortly caudate, obtuse, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, entire, grayish green on upper surface, pale on lower surface; lateral nerves 7--9 pairs, arcuate, prominent on lower surface; petioles 0.5--1 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, 3--5 cm long, glabrous except peduncles and branches pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels 0.5--1.5 mm long, bracteoles filiform subulate, thick, 4--5 mm long, apex obtuse, persistent; calyx tubes turbinate, ca. 1.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes triangular, 0.7--1 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla reddish, slightly fleshy, subtubulate, tubes 1--1.1 cm long, throat slightly expanded, sparsely vilose inside, lobes 5, ovate triangular, 1.5--1.8 mm long, ca. 0.8 mm wide, scabrous inside, with a broad lunate wing on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted slightly below throat, filaments 0.5--1.5 mm long, anthers narrowly oblong, ca. 1.5 mm long; disc cylindric, subequal to calyx tube, 2-parted; style ca. 5 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes linear terete, ca. 1 mm long. Capsules ca. 8 mm wide, ca. 2.5 mm tall, purple, glabrous; seeds angulate. Fl. May.
Dense forests in limetone regions. Yunnan.
59. Ophiorrhiza japonica Bl. Bijdr. 978. 1826; DC. Prodr. 4:415. 1830
日本蛇根草 ri ben she gen cao
O. eryei Champ.; O. acutiloba Hayata; O. dimorphantha Hayata; O. dimorphantha Hayata forma longistigma Hayata; O. dimorphantha Hayata forma brevistigma Hayata; O. monticola Hayata; Hayata forma longistigma Hayata; O. monticola Hayata forma brevistigma Hayata; O. cavaleriei Lévl.; O. labordei Lévl.; O. japonica Bl. var. acutiloba (Hayata) Ohwi; O. japonica Bl. var. minor Krause
Herbs, 20--40 cm or taller; stems creeping at base /on lower part, erect on upper part, subterete, upper part slightly compressed when dry, with 2 lines of pubescent hairs. Leaves papery, blade ovate, elliptic ovate or lanceolate, sometimes narrowly lanceolate, usually 4--8(--10) ×. 1--3 cm or slightly longer, apex acuminate or shortly acuminate, base cuneate or subrotund obtuse, pale green on upper surface and turning red on lower surface when dry, sometimes turning green on both surfaces, sometimes turning greenish yellow on both surfaces, usually smooth and glabrous on both surfaces, sometimes sparsely strigillose on upper surface, pubescent? along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; midrib nearly flat on upper surface, compressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 6--8 pairs, slendar, arcuate ascending, branching and disappearing near margin, slightly prominent on lower surface; petioles compressed, usually 1--2(--3) cm or longer, glabrous or pubescent?, stipules caduceus. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, peduncles usually 1--2 cm, more or less villose, branches usually short, helicoid. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, usually pubescent; bracteoles lanceolate linear or linear, 4--6 mm long, acuminate, subglabrous or sparsely ciliate; calyx subglabrous or pubescent, tubes subturbinate, ca. 1.3 mm long, ca. 1.4 mm wide, 5-ribbed, lobes triangular or sublanceolate, 0.7--1.2 mm long; corolla white or pink, subfunnelform, glabrous outside, tubes 1--1.3 cm long, throat expanded, pubescent inside, lobes 5, triangular ovate, 2.5--3 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate, scaly hairy inside, on dorsal surface with a wing prolonged in lunate at apex; stamens 5, inserted below the middle of corolla tube, filaments glabrous, 2--2.5 mm long, anthers linear, 2.5--3 mm long; style 9--11 mm long, pilose, stigmas bifid, lobes subrotund or broadly ovate, ca. 1 mm long, included; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted below throat, filaments 2--2.5 mm long, anthers 2.5 mm long, included; style ca. 3 mm long, stigma lobes lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long. Capsules submitriform, 3--4 mm tall, 7--9 mm wide, subglabrous. Fl. winter, fr. spring and summer.
Fertile soils in ravines under forests. S Shanxi陕西, sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guizhou, NE Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong [Japan, Vietnam].
60. Ophiorrhiza cantoniensis Hance in Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. IV. 18: 222. 1862.
广州蛇根草 guang zhou she gen cao
O. seguini Lévl.; O. bodinieri Lévl.; O. japonica Bl. var. leiocarpa Hand.--Mazz; O. yintakensis Masam.
Herbs or subshrub, 30--50 cm or taller; stems creeping ,rooting on nodes at base, upper opart erect, usually only inflorescences and young branches pubescent, branches slightly compressed, brown or dark brown, sometimes grey. Leaves papery, blade usually oblong elliptic, sometimes ovate oblong or oblong lanceolate, 12--16 cm long, sometimes smaller, apex acuminate or abruptly acuminate, base cuneate or attenuate, rarely subrotund obtuse, entire, grayish brown or grayish green on upper surface, and pale green or yellowish brown on lower surface when dry, sometimes turning red or reddish brown on both surfaces or only on lower surface, usually glabrous on both surfaces or sparsely strigillose on upper surface, sometimes very densely hispid on upper surface or on both surfaces; midrib impressed and grooved on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 9--12(--15) pairs, distinct or slightly distinct on upper surface, slightly prominent on lower surface, depressed, reticular veinlets usually slightly distinct on both surfaces; petioles 1.5--4 cm long, compressed; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, panicled or corymbose, usually many-flowered, loose; peduncles 2--7 cm long, with many helicoid branches, very shortly ferruginous or reddish pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 0.5--1.5 mm long or subsessile, densely pubescent; bracteoles subulate or linear, ca. 2.5mm or longer; calyx pubescent, rarely subglabrous, tubes turbinate, 1.3--1.5 mm tall, ca. 2 mm wide, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, subtriangular, 0.4--0.5 mm long, apex obtuse; corolla white or reddish, turning yellow or pale redd, subtubulate, subglabrous or sometimes pubescent outside, thick in texture, tubes usually 1--1.2(--1.5) cm long, throat slightly expanded, with a ring of white villous hairs in the middle inside, lobes 5, subtriangular, 3--4 mm or slightly longer, reflexed in blooming, apex incurved, rostrate, on dorsal surface with a broad or slightly broad wing apically prolonged 0.3--0.44 mm out of the corolla lobes, scaly hairy inside; stamens 5, inserted slightly below the middle of corolla tube, filaments short, anthers lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm long; disc elevated, 2-divided; style nearly aas long as corolla tube, stigmas more or less exserted out of corolla tube mouth, 2-parted?, lobes ovate rounded, 1--1.5 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx, corolla and disc the same as long-styled flowers; stamen inserted below corolla tube throat, filaments ca. 2.5 mm long, anthers nearly as long as filaments, apex exserted out of tube mouth, style ca. 3.5 mm long, stigma lobes lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long. Capsules mitriform, 3--4 mm tall, 7--9 mm wide, subglabrous; seeds many, minute and angulate. Fl. winter and spring; fr. spring and summer.
Ravines under forests;. Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, S Guizhou, and Sichuan (Pingshan).
61. Ophiorrhiza howii H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 18. 3）：277.1998.
宽昭蛇根草 kuan zhao she gen cao
O. longiflora How ex Lo
Herbs, ca. 1m tall; stems stout, lower part terete, purplish brown, subglabrous, few-branched, striate, branches slightly flat and turning black when dry. Leaves narrow ovate to narrow elliptic, sometimes ovate, 5--9 ×2--3 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate, usually pubescent along midrib and lateral veins on lower surface; lateral nerves 8--13 pairs, prominent on lower surface; petioles 1--2 cm long, densely pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, densely pubescent; peduncles 1.5--2 cm long, with branches short and helicoid. Flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles absent or minute and caduceus early; calyx tubes subturbinate, slightly compressed, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.7 mm tall, ca. 2.3 mm wide, mealy pubescent on lower part, lobes sublanceolate, ca. 0.5 mm long, subglabrous; corolla white, salverform, puberulent outside, tubes 2.2--2.4 cm long, base ca. 2 mm wide, pilose inside, lobes 5, broadly ovate, 3--4 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate, with a corniform appendage of 1.5--2 mm long on dorsal surface near apex; stamens inserted in corolla tube at 1/3 from the top, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 3.5 mm long, included; style nearly as long as corolla tube? (style extending to the mouth of corolla tobe), stigmas 2-parted, lobes elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm long; disc elevated, 2-parted. Fl. Oct.
Forests; 1100-1500 m. Yunan (Maguan).
62. Ophiorrhiza wallichii Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind 3: 79. 1880.
大果蛇根草 da guo she gen cao
Herbs, 15--20 cm tall; stems slightly stout, lower part decumbent, rooting on nodes, upper part suberect, young parts pubescent. Leaves in more or less unequall opposite pairs, thickly papery, blade ovate or sublanceolate, rarely oblong, distinctly inaequilateral, 3--14 × 2--4.5 cm, apex often cuspidate, base subcuneate, often slightly decurrent, entire or undulate, grayish green on upper surface, greenish yellow on lower surface when dry, subglabrous on both surfaces, midrib slightly broad, slightly impressed on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, straight sulcate at each side, lateral nerves slightly sparse, 7--8( or 9) pairs, ascending and gradually disappearing along margin, reticular veins indistinct on both surfaces; petioles 1--3 cm or longer, compressed, glabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, corymbose, often many-flowered, peduncles 1--1.5 cm long, with branches 0.5--1 cm long, helicoid, pubescent or subglabrous on lower part of peduncles. Flowers with pedicels ca. 2 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles 2, small, pubescent, caducous; calyx tubes compressed turbinate, 5-ribbed, ca. 1 mm tall, ca. 1.5 mm wide, densely pubescent, lobes 5, long triangular, ca. 0.4 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla pale red, turning yellow when dry, salverform, glabrous outside, tubes 23--25 mm long, base ca. 1.7 mm wide, glabrous inside, lobes 5, ovate triangular or subovate, ca. 5 mm long, apex incurved, slightly rostrate, narrowly winged on dorsal surface; stamens 5, inserted in throat, filaments ca. 1 mm long, anthers ca. 3 mm long, extending to mouth; style 23--24 mm long, stigmas 2, thick, suboblong, 1.2 mm long, slightly higher than anthers. Capsules large, mitriform, 1.4--1.5 cm wide, 5--6mm tall. Fl. Apr--Jun.
Shady and wet places under forests. Yunnan [NE India, yanmar].
63. Ophiorrhiza chinensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):70, fig. 24. 1990.
中华蛇根草 zhong hua she gen cao
Herbs or sometimes subshrubs, usually 20--40(--80) cm tall; stems terete, straw yellow when dry, glabrous; young branches often turning purplish black, subglabrous or pubescent. Leaves papery, blade lanceolate to ovate, 3.5--12(--15) cm long, apex acuminate, base cuneate, rarely obtuse rounded, entire, usually glabrous or subglabrous on both surfaces, more or less turning pale red when dry; lateral nerves slendar, 9--10 pairs, distinct on upper surface, prominent on lower surface, sometimes prominent on both surface, reticular veins very elegant; petioles 1--4 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, usually many-flowered, peduncles 1.5--3.5 cm long, with branches 1--3.5 cm long, helicoid, curly at first, erect later, densely very shortly pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles absent or very small, caducous; calyx tubes subturbinate, 1.2--1.4 mm tall, ca. 2.5 mm wide, 5-ribbed, mealy pubescent, lobes 5, subtriangular, 0.4--0.5 mm long; corolla white or slightly purplish red, tabulate funnelform, 18--20 mm long, subglabrous or mealy puberulent outside, pilose inside, scaly hairy in throat, with a ring of dense white villous hairs near the middle inside, lobes 5, triangular ovate, 2.5--3 mm long, scaly hairy inside, apex incurved, cucullate rostrate, on dorsal surface with a keel-shaped narrow wing prolonged with a corniform appendage near apex; stamens 5, inserted slightly below the middle of corolla tube, filaments very short, anthers 2.5--3 mm long; style 16--18 mm long, pilose, stigmas 2-parted, lobes thick, broadly elliptic, ca. 1.5--2 mm long, slightly exserted; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; corolla without a ring of hairs; stamens inserted below the throat, filaments ca. 2.5 mm long, anthers 2.5--3 mm long; style ca. 3.5--4 mm long, stigmas lobes thin, oblong, ca. 4 mm long. Infructescence often stout, peduncles 3--5 cm or longer, with branches often very long, 5--6 cm long, pedicels stout, usually 3--4 mm long, subglabrous; capsules obcordate mitriform, 3-3.4 mm high, 8--10 mm wide, subglabrous; seeds small, many, angulate. Fl. winter and spring; fr. spring and summer.
Fertile soil under broad-leaved forests; 1300 m. Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi.
64. Ophiorrhiza luchunensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):74, fig. 25. 1990.
绿春蛇根草 lu chun she ge cao
Herbs or subshrubs, 0.6--2 m tall, lower part often slightly ligneous, decumbent and rooting, on upper slightly fleshy, densely pubescent. Leaves papery, in unequal pairs, blade lanceolate to long elliptic, large ones 5--15 × 2.5--4.5 cm, small lones 2--6(--8) cm long, apex acuminate, more or less caudate, base attenuate, more or less caudate, base attenuate, strigose on upper surface, densely crisped pubescent along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 7--12 pairs, slightly dense, linear, prominent on both surfaces; petioles 0.5--2 cm long, sometimes leaves subsessile on upper part, densely pubescent; stipules caduceus. Cymes terminal, peduncles 1--3 cm long, with many branches, densely crisped villose,. Flowers crowded, dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels short, bracteoles absent or minute; calyx tubes rhombic turbinate, ca. 1 mm long, ca. 1.2 mm wide, 5-ribbed, glabrous or ferruginous mealy hairy, lobes subtriangular, ca. 0.4 mm long; corolla white, salverform tabulate, slightly contracted in the middle, 9--10 mm long, glabrous outside, throat densely covered with a ring of band-shaped white villous hairs inside, lobes 5, long triangular, 1.8 mm long, 0.7 mm wide, vertically ribbed or narrowly winged on dorsal surface near apex; stamens 5, inserted near the base of corolla tube, filaments 0.3 mm long, anthers linear oblong, 1.5 mm long; disc 2-parted; style and stigma nearly as long as corolla tube, stigmas 2-partedd, lobes lanceolate; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in throat; style ca. 1 mm long, stigmas 2parted, lobes ovate lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long, thin. Capsules broadly mitriform, ca. 5 mm wide, ca. 1.5 mm tall, reddish brown when dry, 5-ribbed, subglabrous. Fl. Oct.
Shady and wet places under forests. Yunnan (Luchun).
65. Ophiorrhiza gracilis Kurz in Journ. Asiat. Soc. 2: 311, 1872.
纤弱蛇根草 xian ruo she gen cao
Herbs, 25--30 cm tall, glabrous or puberulent on inflorescence; stems slightly fleshy, lower part decumbent and rooting, upper part suberect, Leaves membranaceous papery, lanceolate or subovate, usually oblique, 6--12(--17) ×. 2--4.5 cm, apex caudate long acuminate, base cuneate to acuminate, grayish on both surfaces, palish on lower surface; midrib depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 8--12 pairs, slendar, slightly distinct on upper surface, reticular veinlets only loomed; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, peduncles 2--3 cm long. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels short; bracteoles minute, subulate, ca. 0.5--1.2 mm long, caduceus early; calyx small, turbinate, ca. 1.3 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes 5, ovate triangular, 0.4--0.5 mm long, corolla white or reddish at apex, tubulate, ca. 1.2 mm long, white long hairy in throat and middle of corolla tube inside, lobes triangular ovate, 1.2--1.3 mm long, with a corniform appendage of 0.8--1 mm long on dorsal surface near apex; stamens inserted at the base of corolla tube, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long, anthers ca. 2 mm long; style 8 mm long, stigmas 2-parted, lobes ovate, membranous, ca. 2 mm long; short-styled flowers with calyx and corolla the same as long-styled flowers; stamens inserted in the middle of corolla tube; style ca. 2 mm long, Fl. spring.
Dense forests. Yunnan [Myanmar].
66. Ophiorrhiza pumila Champ. ex Benth. in Journ. Bot. Kew Misc 4: 169. 1852.
短小蛇根草 duan xiao she gen cao
O. inflata Maxim.; O. pumila Champ. var. inflata (Maxim.) Masamune
Herbs dwarf, usually over 10(--30) cm tall; stems and branches slightly fleshy, grey or greyish yellow when dry, slightly longitudinally rugose, more or less with soft hairs. Leaves papery, blade ovate, lanceolate, elliptic or oblong, usually 2--5.5(--9) × 1--2.5 cm, apex obtuse or rotund, base cuneate, often more or less decurrent, when dry grayish green or dark greyish brown on upper surface, subglabrous or sparsely strigose, pale on lower surface, very densely hispid soft hairs, or only hairy on upper surface; midrib broad and flat on lower surface, lateral nerves 5--8 pairs, slendar; petioles usually 0.5--1.5 cm long, with soft hairs; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, peduncles ca. 1 cm long, with helicoid branches, pubescent. Flowers monomorphic, homostylous; pedicels 0.5--1.5 mm long; bracteoles small and caducous or absent; calyx small, with shor stiff hairs hispidulous, tubes ca. 1.2 mm long, 5-ribbed, lobes subtriangular, ca. 0.6 mm long; corolla white, subtubulate, ca. 5 mm long, pubescent outside, tubes slightly swollen at base, with a ring of white long hairs in throat inside,lobes ovate triangular, 1.2--1.5 mm long, indistinct ribbed on dorsal surface; stamens inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments 1.5--2 mm long, anthers sublinear, ca. 1 mm long, exserted out of tube mouth; style 3.5--4 mm long, with stiff hairs, stigmas 2-lobed , lobes ovate, ca. 0.8--1 mm long, thick, as tall as anthers. Capsules mitriform or slightly obcordate, ca. 2--2.5 mm tall, 6--7 mm wide, brownish yellow when dry, with short stiff hairs /hispidulous. Fl. early spring.
Shady places at wet lands or stream/river sides under forests. Guangxi, Guangdong, Hongkong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan [N Vietnam].
67. Ophiorrhiza oppositiflora Hooker f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 80. 1880.
对生蛇根草 dui sheng she gen cao
Herbs, to 70 cm tall; stems slightly fleshy. Old stems terete, upper part pubescent. Leaves papery, blade long elliptic to ovate, sometimes lanceolate, 8--15 × 3.5--6 cm or larger, apex shortly acuminate, base cuneate, slightly decurrent, brown when dry brown, subglabrous or sparsely very short strigose on upper surface, pilose along midrib and lateral nerves on lower surface; lateral nerves 9--11(--15) pairs, slightly distinct on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, slightly prominent; petioles 1--2 cm long, subglabrous or puberulent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal and opposite in axils on upper part of branchlets, terminal ones usually large, paniculate, peduncles ca. 2--4 cm long, with helicoid branches, puberulent; bracteoles very minute or caducous. Flowers with pedicels very short; calyx tubes ca. 1 mm long, lobes 5, ca. 0.3 mm long; corolla white, slightly thick in texture, glabrous, tubes ca. 4 mm long, lobes oblong, ca. 2 mm long, with a keel on dorsal surface, apex incurved and rostrate. Capsules mitriform obcordate, 6--7 mm wide, ca. 2 mm tall, turning yellow when dry, subglabrous. Fl. winter and spring.
Wet places under forests. Yunnan [NE India].
68. Ophiorrhiza paniculiformis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 78. 1990.
圆锥蛇根草 yuan zhui she gen cao
Shrub, ca. 1.2 m tall; branches stout, longitudinally bisulcate, reddish brown when dry, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves thinly coriaceous, blade subovate or sometimes lanceolate, 8--12 × 2.5--6 cm, apex abruptly acuminate or nearly caudate, base decurrent, entire, glabrous on both surfaces, slightly shiny, midrib impressed on upper surface, lateral nerves 14--18 pairs, slightly arcuate, prominent on both surfaces; petioles 1--3.5 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, erect, broad and loose, nearly paniculate, 13--18 × 7--10 cm; peduncles 5--6 cm long, slightly stout, with branches helicoid, ferruginous mealy puberulent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with pedicels 1--2 mm long, stout, bracteoles absent; calyx tubes turbinate, 1.5 mm long, 5-ribbed, glabrous, lobes 5, 0.3--0.5 mm long, obtuse at apex; corolla purplish red, subtubulate, slightly fleshy, tubes ca. 10 mm long, base ca. 2.5 mm wide, throat ca. 3 mm wide, glabrous outside, with a ring of white long soft hairy near middle inside, with papillous short hairs in throat, lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 1.5 mm long, with a short spur-like appendage on dorsal surface near apex, reflexed in blooming, more or less papillous short hairy inside; stamens 5, inserted slightly below the middle of corolla tube, filaments short, anthers linear, ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 8.5 mm long, with white long soft hairs (/villose) on the upper 2/3, stigmas 2-parted, lobes elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm long, compressed and submembranous; disc 1.5 mm tall, 2-divided. Fl. Apr.
Forests; ca. 1700 m.Yunnan (Maguan).
69. Ophiorrhiza longzhouensis H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2):79. 1990.
龙州蛇根草 long zhou she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 30 cm or taller; stems erect, branchlets pubescent, brown when dry. Leaves papery, blade ovate, subinaequilateral, 6--15 ×2--6 cm or slightly larger, apex shortly acuminate or acute, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, subentire, grayish brown or grayish green on upper surface, and pale brown on lower surface when dry, glabrous or subglabrous on both surfaces; midrib impressed on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves 7--10 pairs, ascending or slightly arcuate, branching and joining near margin, reticular veinlets slightly distinct; petioles ca. 1--2 cm long, pubescent; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, ferruginous pubescent; peduncles 1.5--5 cm long, with branches ca. 1--2 mm long, helicoid; short-styled flowers with bracteoles minute or absent; calyx pubescent, tubes broadly turbinate, 1--1.2 mm tall, ca. 2 mm wide, lobes 5, broad triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long, with a gland between lobes; corolla pink, funnelform subtubulate, puberulent outside, tubes ca. 9 mm long, throat slightly expanded, white long pilose below the middle inside, lobes 5, long triangular, ca. 1.3 mm long, with a triangular appendage of 0.4--0.5 mm long on dorsal surface near apex; stamens 5, inserted on the upper 1/3 of corolla tube, filaments ca. 3.5 mm long, anthers linear, 1.8--2 mm long; disc 2-divided; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style ca. 2.5 mm long, pilose, stigmas 2, linear oblong, ca. 1.5 mm long. Capsules mitriform, ca. 6 mm wide, puberulent. Fl. Sep.
Watersides in forests; 500--700 m. Guangxi (Longzhou).
70. Ophiorrhiza repandicalyx H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2): 79. 1990.
大叶蛇根草 da ye she gen cao
Herbs, 80--100 cm tall; stems erect, glabrous except inflorescence; branchlets dark brown, slightly stout. Leaves papery, blade broadly ovate, ovate or elliptic, 15--22 × 6--10 cm, apex cuspidate, base abruptly narrow or broadly cuneate, grayish green on upper surface, and pale green on lower surface when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; midrib straight impressed and channeled on upper surface, depressed on lower surface, lateral nerves depressed, 11--16 pairs, arcuate ascending, apex slendar, disappearing near margin, reticular veinlets slendar, visible on lower surface; petioles 0.8--1.5 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, compact and globose, ca. 3 cm in diameter; peduncles ca. 1.5 cm long, with helicoid branches, mealy pubescent, bracteoles absent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, long-styled flowers with calyx mealy pubescent, tubes turbinate, 2.1 mm tall, 3.5 mm wide, limb tubulate, ca. 1.5 mm tall, margin undulately 5--lobate; corolla green, fleshy, tubulate, tubes 5.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, mealy pubescent outside, white long villose above the middle inside, lobes 5, triangular ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long, broadly winged on dorsal surface, with a corniform appendage of ca. 0.5mm long near apex; stamens 5, inserted in the middle of corolla tube, filaments short, anthers narrowly oblong, ca. 2.5 mm long; disc 2-divided; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style ca. 5 mm long, stigmas 2, orbiculate, ca. 1mm in diameter. Fl. Nov.
Forests in ravines; 1100 m. Yunan (Jinghong).
71. Ophiorrhiza alata Craib, Pl. Siam. Enum. 2(1):61. 1932.
有翅蛇根草 you chi she gen cao
Herbs, ca. 0.6--1m tall; branches fleshy, compressed when dry, glabrous or puberulent on upper part. Leaves submembranous, blade ovate to elliptic, rarely lanceolate ovate, 7--13 × 3--5.5 cm, apex subacuminate, base subcuneate, sometimes slightly decurrent, margin undulate, grayish green on upper surface, and pale on lower surface when dry, glabrous on both surfaces, lateral nerves 8--10 pairs, very slendar, slightly distinct on both surfaces; petioles 1--3 cm long, subglabrous; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered, peduncles 1.5--5 cm long, with helicoid branches usually shorter than 1 cm long, pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels 2.5 mm long, bracteoles minute or absent; calyx tubes turbinate campaniform, 5-ribbed, ca. 1.8 mm long, pubescent, lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 0.7 mm long, subglabrous; corolla white in bud, tubulate, subglabrous outside, with a ring of white long hairy in throat inside, tubes ca. 1.2 cm long, base often swollen, lobes 5, triangular broadly ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long, winged on dorsal surface, with a short spur-like appendage at apex; stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube throat, filaments ca. 1.5--1.7 mm long, anthers narrowly oblong, nearly as long as filament; style ca. 1.5--1.7 mm long, stigmas 2, narrowly elliptic, thin, ca. 1.2 mm long. Fruits small, ca. 2.5 mm tall, ca. 6mm wide. Fl. Apr--May.
Dense forests; 540--650 m. Yunnan [Thailand].
72. Ophiorrhiza laevifolia H. S. Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (2); 80, fig. 26. 1990.
平滑蛇根草 ping hua she gen cao
Herbs, suberect, 20--80 cm tall; stems and branches subterete, turning black and slightly compressed on upper part when dry, puberulent or subglabrous. Leaves papery, blade ovate or lanceolate, more or less inaequilateral, 4--12 ×2--4.5 cm, apex acute to acuminate, sometimes caudate, base cuneate, margin undulate or entire, glabrous on both surfaces, drak green and smooth on upper surface, pale green on lower surface; midrib and lateral nerves flat on upper surface, depressed and slightly prominent on lower surface, lateral nerves 5--6 pairs, arcuate and remote, with 1 or 2 subordinate veins between lateral nerves, reticular veins indistinct; petioles short, usually ca. 0.5(--1.5) cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescence terminal, compact, many-flowered; peduncles shorter than 1 cm or sometimes almost absent, with branches very short and indistinctly helicoid, densely ferruginous pubescent. Flowers dimorphic, heterostylous, short-styled flowers with pedicels very short; bracteoles absent or minute; calyx tubes obovate, 5-ribbed, ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm wide, pubescent on lower surface, lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long, subglabrous, with a gland between lobes; corolla pink, subtubulate, glabrous outside, tubes ca. 13 mm long, sparsely white long hairy above the middle inside, lobes subovate, 1.8--2 mm long, apex incurved, rostrate, without distinct wing on dorsal surface, with a short corniform appendage of 0.1--0.2 mm long at apex; stamens inserted on the upper 1/3 of corolla tube, filaments 3.5 mm long, glabrous, anthers sublinear, ca. 1.5 mm long, slightly exserted; ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell, style ca. 4 mm long, glabrous, stigmas 2, sublinear, ca. 2 mm long; included; disc 2-parted. Fl. Apr.
Semievergreen forests; 800--1000 m. Xizhang (Motuo).
五星花属 wu xing hua shu
Herbs or subshrubs, erect or procubent, usually hispid or tomentose. Leaves opposite; stipules, multifid or bristly/setaceous. Inflorescences often in compound corymbs of cymes. Calyx lobes 4--6, unequal. Corolla tube long, throat expanded, villose; lobes 4--6, valvate. Stamens 4--6, inserted below throat. Style exserted. Disk elongated into a cone after anthesis. Ovary 2-celled, with numerous ovules in each cell; style exserted. Fruit a capsule, membranous or leathery, 2-celled, loculicidally dehiscent at maturity. Seeds numerous, minute.
About 50 species in Africa and Madagascar; 1 species cultivated in China.
1. Pentas lanceolata K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl., Nat. Pflanzenf. 4 (4): 29, 1891;
五星花 wu xing hua
Ophiorrhiza laceolata Forsk.; Pentas carnea Benth.
Subshrubs, 30--70 cm tall. Stems and branches quadrangular, covered with white multicellular hairs when young. Leaves opposite; petioles 1.5-3 cm, pilose; stipules short and broad, apex bristly; blade oblong-lanceolate, 5-14 × 2-5.5 cm, base cuneate, apex acute or shortly acuminate, adaxially pubescent or scabrous, abaxially densely pubescent along veins. Corymbs terminal; peduncles 3--12 mm, together with bracts and calyx covered with white multicellular hairs. Flowers sessile, bimorphic, heterosylous. Calyx tube subglobose, apex with 5 or 6 unequal lobes. Corolla pale purple, salverform; tube to 2 cm long, sparsely pubescent outside, densely covered with white long hairs in throat; limb usually 5-lobed, c. 1.2 cm in diameter; lobes elliptic or oblong-lanceolate. Anthers slightly exserted or included. Style 2-lobed, purplish black. Fl. Jul.--Sept.
Cultivated in gardens in south China. Native to tropical Africa and Arabia; widely cultivated in tropical areas.
雪花属 xie hua shu
Herbs, usually small/dwarf. Leaves opposite or whorled, usually in unequal pairs, seldom equal; stipule interpetiolar, persistent. Inflorescences usually few-flowered, cymes or umbels, terminal or axillary, pedunculate. Flowers 4- or 5-merous. Calyx tube usually campanulate; lobes 4 or 5, usually subtriangular. Corolla white, rotate or sometimes broadly campanulate; lobes 4 or 5, often ovate or lanceolate, imbricate in bud, spreading and slightly reflexed in anthesis. Stamens 4 or 5, inserted at base of corolla tube; anthers usually coherent into tubulate or coniform, sometimes free, opening by terminal pore or longitudinally dehiscent, connective protrude or not. Ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous per cell; style linear; stigma capitate. Fruit a capsule, crowned by persistent calyx lobes, slightly fleshy earlier, coriaceous or membranous later, dehiscing by apical lid or pore. Seeds numerous, minute, flattened, angular; endosperm / albumen fleshy.
About 100 species in tropical Africa and Asia. 6 species in China.
1a. Leaves often in unequal opposite pairs; anthers coherent in coniform, opening longitudinally/by a slit.
2a. Leaf blade pale when dry abaxially, with distinct lateral veins.
3a. Calyx hairy.
4a. Fruits pubescent; leaves
smaller, large ones 1--4 cm long
1. A. discolor
4b. Fruits densely hirsute;
leaves larger, large ones 6--10 cm long
2. A. solaniflorum
3b. Calyx glabrous.
5a. Corolla lobes ovate, ca. 5 mm long 3. A. saxatile
5b. Corolla lobes lanceolate, 8.5--11 mm long 4. A. yunnanense
2b. Leaf blade brownish yellow abaxially when dry, lateral veins indistinct. Calyx puberulent or subglabrous 5. A. hainanicum
1b. Leaves usually 4 in a whorle at tip of branches; anthers free, not coherent in coniform, opening by apical/terminal hole 6. A. verticillatum
1. Argostemma discolor Merr. in Philip. Journ. Sci. 23: 265. 1923.
异色雪花 yi se xie hua
Herbs, usually dwarf, 7-15 cm tall; stems unbranched or few-branched, strigose, lower part often prostrate and rooting. Leaves opposite; petiole slightly stout, 5-8 mm long; blade in unequal pairs, smaller one suborbicular or broadly ovate, 5--10 mm long, subsessile or shortly petiolate, larger one elliptic, oblong or broadly ovate, 1-4 x 7-20 mm, apex acute, base cuneate or rotund obtuse, sparsely strigose adaxially, densely hairy along veins abaxially, lateral veins 4--6 pairs, intramarginal vein distinct; stipule broadly ovate, 2-6 mm long, ciliate. Cymes umbellate, terminal, 2- or 3-flowered; peduncles 5-20 mm long, strigose, apex with 2 or 4 bracts, ovate, 1-2 mm long. Flowers with pedicels 10-25 mm long. Calyx tube ca. 3 mm long, pubescent; lobes 5, triangular, slightly shorter than tube. Corolla white, rotate; tube short; lobes ovate-lanceolate, 6-7 mm long. Stamen 5; anthers coherent in coniform, longitudinal dehiscent, connective ptotrude; stigma capitate. Fruit a capsule, subglobose or obovate, ca. 3 mm in diameter. Fl. Mar-May, fr. Sept-Oct.
Dense forest; 500-1500 m. Hainan.
2. Argostemma solaniflorum Elmer, Leafl. Philip. Bot. 1: 2. 1906.
水冠草 hui guan cao
Biennial dwarf herbs, to 16 cm tall; stems solitary or several crowded, usually branched, pubescent. Leaves opposite, scattered/lax; petioles to 3 cm long; blade membranous, broadly lanceolate or oblong, in distinctly unequal pairs, larger one 6--10 × 2.5--3 cm, both ends acute or apex acuminate, slightly pubescent on both surface, or adaxially glabrous, abaxially pubescent along midrib and lateral veins, lateral veins 7 or 8 pairs; stipule oblong or ovate, 3--7 mm long, apex obtuse, persistent. Inflorescence a terminal cyme, as long as or longer than leaves, few-flowered. Flowers with pedicels pubescent. Calyx cupuliform, villose; lobes 5, acute. Corolla white, rotate; lobes 5, ovate, long acuminate, 7 mm long, veined, abaxially strigose, densely ciliate at margin near apex. Stamens 5, erect, inserted near base of corolla tube; filaments 2 mm long; anthers 7 mm long, linear. Fruit a capsule, leathery, densely hirsute, 2-celled, dehiscing near apex. Seeds numerous, brown at maturity, compressed, irregular. Fl. Mar.--Apr.
Shady and moist stream sides. Taiwan [Philippines, Japan].
3. Argostemma saxatile Chun et How apud Ko in Fl. Hainaica 3: 578 et 293, fig. 731. 1974.
岩雪花 yan xie hua
Herbs, 5--10 cm or taller; stems unbranched or sometimes few-branched, slightly stout, ascending, with adventitious roots at nodes near base. Leaves opposite; petioles thick and short; blade in unequal pairs, larger one oblong elliptic or subovate, 1.5--5.5 × 8--18 mm, apex acute, rarely acuminate, base cuneate to slightly obtuse, adaxially sparsely strigose along midrib and margin, abaxially pale when dry, strigose along veins; lateral veins 5--7 pairs; stipule subovate, usually shorter than 1 mm. Inflorescence terminal, umbelate or shortly racemose, 2--4-flowered; peduncles 1--3 cm long, glabrous, straw yellow when dry, with 4 ovate bracts at apex. Flowers with pedicels 1--3 cm long, straw yellow when dry, glabrous. Calyx glabrous, tube 2--2.5 mm long; lobes 5, broadly triangular, 1.5--2 mm long. Corolla white, glabrous or subglabrous; tube 1.5--2 mm long; lobes ovate, ca. 5 mm long, acuminate. Stamens 5, slightly shorter than corolla; anthers connate, longitudinally dehiscent, connective protrude. Fruit not seen. Fl. Mar.
Wet sites in dense forests; 600 m. SW Guangxi.
4. Argostemma yunnanense How ex Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6(4): 45. 1986.
滇雪花 dian xie hua
Herbs, 6--20 cm tall; stems slightly stout, lower part usually procumbent and rooting, upper part suberect, densely crisped pubescent. Leaves opposite; petioles slightly stout, usually shorter than 1 cm, blade in unequal pairs, smaller one ovate or broadly ovate suborbicular, about 4--6(--10) mm long, subsessile, larger one shortly petiolate, usually oblong obovate, 2--6 × 1.5--2.5 cm, apex acute, base slightly obtuse, adaxially sparsely pilose or subglabrous, abaxially pubescent, denser on midrib and lateral veins; lateral veins 7--10 pairs, arcuate, joining and forming intramarginal vein; stipule ovate, 5--7 mm long. Inflorescences terminal umbelliform cymes, 2- or 3-flowered; peduncles 2--2.5 cm long, apex with several bracts, lanceolate, 3--5 mm long. Flowers with pedicels stout, 1--1.5 cm long. Calyx glabrous; tube ca. 2 mm long, white punctuate outside; lobes 5, broadly subtriangular, 1--1.2 mm long. Corolla white, rotate; tube broad and short, ca. 2.5 mm long; lobes 5, lanceolate, 8.5--11 mm long, apex long acuminate, parallelly 3--5-veined, glabrous. Stamens 5; filaments short, glabrous; anthers coherent and tubulate, apex 5-dentate, ca. 8mm long, locule linear, 4--4.5 mm long, connective protruding, protruding part acuminate, ca. 3 mm long. Fruit not seen. Fl. May.
Dense forest; 900 m. Yunnan.
5. Argostemma hainanicum Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 6(4): 46. 1986.
海南雪花 hai nan xie hua
Herbs， 10--20 cm tall; stems slightly fleshy, grayish black when dry, suberect or creeping, upper portion densely strigose villose. Leaves opposite, in unequal pairs, larger one shortly petiolate, oblong lanceolate, occasionally oblong ovate, 1--4 × 0.6--1.2(--1.5) cm, smaller one subovate, 0.2--0.8(--1) cm long, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base broadly cuneate, entire or indistinctly erose, ciliate, when dry turning black adaxially, dark brown abaxially, midribs strigose on both surfaces, sometimes strigose near margin; midribs depressed on both surfaces, lateral veins immerged and invisible or slightly distinct adaxially. Cymes terminal, 1- or 2-flowered; peduncles stout, 1--2 cm long, with 2 bracts lanceolate, 1.5--2 mm long. Flowers with pedicels stout, villose, glabrous or subglabrous when fruiting. Calyx tube with dense raphides, slightly pubescent or subglabrous; lobes 5, glabrous. Corolla white, rotate; tube short; lobes 5, subovate, ca. 1 cm long, acuminate. Stamens 5, connate and tubulate, black when dry, connective protruding apically. Style exserted out ca. 1.5 mm; stigma capitate. Fruit black, glabrous, slightly cordate, ca. 5 mm × 7--8 mm. Seeds numerous, angular. Fl. May.
Valleys or water sides in dense forest. Hainan (Ledong).
6. Argostemma verticillatum Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Ind. Ed. Carey 2: 324. 1824
小雪花 xiao xie hua
Dwarf herbs, 2--7 cm or slightly taller, with subglobular tuberoid; stems slightly fleshy, unbranched, glabrous, straw yellow when dry. Leaves usually 4 in a whorle on the tip of stem, unequal in size, very rarely with a pair of scaly leaves at middle of stem; petioles very short; blade membranaceous papery, ovate, elliptic, oblong or sometimes obovate, 1--7 × 0.7--2.5 cm, apex shortly acuminate, base broadly cuneate or attenuate, glabrous on both surfaces, lateral veins 4--7 pairs, slender. Cymes umbelliform, solitary or 2 or 3 fascicled; peduncles slender, 0.7--2 cm long, 2- to several-flowered. Calyx broadly campanulate; lobes 5, subtriangular, ca. 1 mm long. Corolla white, rotate; tube short; lobes 5, oblong lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 5; filaments short; anthers long linear, ca. 2 mm long, dehiscent at apex. Fruit not seen. Fl. Jun.
Stream sides in forests. S Yunnan [Nepal, India (Assam), Vietnam, Burma, Sikkim].
杜丽草属 mu li cao shu
Perennial herbs. Raphides present. Stems often slightly woody at base. Stipules interpetiolar, large and foliaceous, often reflexed at apex, caducous. Leaves in slightly or very unequal opposite pairs; subsessile or shortly petiolate; pinninerved. Inflorescence axillary?, alternate, capitate, consisting of cymes; peduncles short or subsessile; bracts slightly large. Flowers shortly pedicellate or subsessile, with bracteoles. Calyx tubes obconic, limb 5-lobed; lobes longer than or nearly as long as tubes, often hairy outside. Corolla subtubulate, 5-lobed, lobes minute. Stamens 5, inserted in corolla tube; filaments short or nearly absent; anthers linear, opening by longitudinal slits. Disk annular. Ovary 2-celled, ovules many per cell; style linear, stigma 2-lobed. Fruits a dry /fleshy ? capsule, obconical, dehising with a lid along base of persistent calyx lobes inside. Seeds many, minute, angular, pale black, papillose?.
5 species in East Asia. 1 species endemic in China.
1. Mouretia guangdongensis Lo in Bull. Bot. Res. 18（3）：282.1998.
广东杜丽草 guang dong mu li cao
M. tonkinensis auct. non Pitard: Lo.
Herbs, 30--40 cm tall; stems procumbent and rooting at lower part, obliquely? ascending, densely hispid villose. Leaves in distinct unequal pairs; petioles 0.5--1.5 cm long, densely villose; leaf blade thinly papery, oblong or subelliptic, sometimes subovate obovate, large ones 4--9 × 2--4 cm, small ones 1.5--3.5 × shorter than 1 cm, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex acute or sometimes shortly acuminate, often slightly obtuse, when dry olive-green on both surface, upper surface glabrous, lower surface villose along veins, midrib impressed on upper surface, prominent on lower surface, lateral veins 5--7(--9) pairs, often slender, prominent only on lower surface, with ends branching and joining, reticular veinlets distinct on lower surface; stipules subovate or subrenifrm, 2.5--4 mm long, reflexed, often caducous. Inflorescence a compact axillary cymes; peduncles 2--5 mm, densely villose; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate, 1--1.5 mm. Calyx hispid