Volume 7 > Part 3 > Year 2001 > Page 472 > Melastomataceae > Phyllagathis

3. Phyllagathis siamensis Cellinese & S.S.Rennerwfo-0001237632

Novon 7(2): 109, fig. 2. 1997. Fig: 39.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Acaulescent herb, 30–40 cm tall, sparsely hairy (Fig. 39A). Leaves one or two (in the single specimen known), broadly ovate, 25–30 x 17–20 cm, base broadly cordate, apex acuminate, margin denticulate, lamina with 4–5 pairs of lateral primary veins, above and below finely and loosely pilose, petioles about 14 cm long, densely covered by short hairs. Inflorescence an axillary umbellate cyme, the peduncle 9–15 cm long, sparsely pilose. Flowers 4-merous, bracts subulate and minute, pedicels 5–7 mm long. Hypanthium campanulate, about 2.5 mm long, sparsely hairy, calyx teeth about 0.7 mm long. Petals broadly ovate, known only from buds, pink. Stamens 4, isomorphic (Fig. 39D), anthers about 2 mm long, yellow, base slightly bilobed, connective dorsally enlarged into a flat ridge. Ovary 4-locular, fully adnate to the hypanthium, crowned by 4 large quadrangular lobes surrounding the style base. Capsules subquadrangular (Fig. 39C), about 3 x 3 mm.

Thailand : CENTRAL: Saraburi (Sam Lan); Nakhon Nayok (Sarika Falls – type: Larsen et al. 3402 -AAU BKF C).

Distribution : Endemic.

Ecology : Along streams, at altitudes below 400 m.

Vernacular : Kam kung sayam (ก้ามกุ้งสยาม)(Central).

Notes: Easily recognized by the one or rarely two large and deeply cordate leaves. The new name became necessary because the epithet cordata is occupied by Phyllagathis cordata Ridl.