Volume 8 > Part 2 > Year 2007 > Page 529 > Euphorbiaceae > Sauropus

5. Sauropus bacciformis Airy Shawwfo-0000304996

Kew Bull. 35: 685. 1980; Welzen, Blumea 48: 345, map 5. 2003.— Phyllanthus bacciformis L., Mant. Pl.: 294. 1767.— Agyneia bacciformis (L.) A.Juss., Euphorb. Gen. Tent.: 24, t. 6. 1824.— Diplomorpha bacciformis (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl.: 693. 1891.— Synostemon bacciformis (L.) G.L.Webster, Taxon 9: 26. 1960, in adnot.; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 343. 1972.

Accepted Name : Synostemon bacciformis (L.) G.L.Webster
Taxon 9: 26. 1960.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Herb to subshrub, up to 50 cm high, glabrous, without asperities; branches with mainly 4 ribs. Stipules triangular, 2.2–3 by ca 1 mm. Leaves: petiole less than 1 mm long; blade elliptic, 6.5–25 by 1.5–7(–13) mm, length/width ratio 1.9–6, pergamentaceous, base rounded, margin entire, without asperities, apex rounded to acute, lower surface somewhat papillate and glaucous; nerves very indistinct. Flowers axillary, green, several in fascicles (staminate) or single (pistillate). Staminate flowers 1.2–1.3 mm in diam.; pedicel ca 0.6 mm long; calyx flat, lobes deeply divided, ovate, 0.4–0.5 by 0.3–0.4 mm, apex entire, rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore ca 0.2 mm high; stamens ca 0.2 by 0.2–0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 4–5.5 mm in diam.; pedicel 3–4 mm long; sepals free, 2–2.8 by 1–1.4 mm; ovary obtruncate, ca 1 by 0.9 mm; stigmas ca 0.5 mm long, upper half split, horizontal. Fruits ovoid, 5–5.2 by 5.5–6.5 mm, green, wih apically lobed rim around stigmas; column ca 3.3 mm long, with ellipsoid thickening above middle till apex. Seeds triangular in section, ca 4.5 by 1.2 mm.

Thailand : NORTH-EASTERN: Maha Sarakham (Phayakha Phum Phisai); EASTERN: Buri Ram (Khao Phanom Rung), Surin, Roi Et (Ban Nam Om, Thung Kula Rong Hai), Ubon Ratchathani; SOUTH-WESTERN: Phetchaburi (Mae Klong), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Khao Tao, Sam Roi Yot); CENTRAL: Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) (Bangkhen), Sainut Prakan (Ban Bang Pu Kao, Paknam); SOUTH-EASTERN: Chon Buri (Ban Soen, Ko Khram, Thung Brong), Trat (Ban Saphan Hin); PENINSULAR: Surat Thani (Kanthuli, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Samui), Phatthalung (Lahm Bahm).

Distribution : Mauritius, India (type), Sri Lanka, S China, SE Asia (including Indochina), W Malesia: Malay Peninsula, Bangka, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi.

Ecology : According to Airy Shaw typical for saline sandy or clayey soil, especially along or near the beaches, also recorded to be common in wet, grassy roadsides, 0–200(–1,800) m alt.

Vernacular : Thong laeng (ทองแล้ง)(Eastern); ma phrao nok khao (มะพร้าวนกเขา), soi nok khao (สร้อยนกเขา)(Central).

Notes: See second note under Sauropus amoebiflorus.