Volume 14 > Part 2 > Year 2019 > Page 207 > Araliaceae > Brassaiopsis

6. Brassaiopsis phanrangensis C.B.Shangwfo-0000398492

Adansonia, sér. 3, 19: 80, fig. 2 a–c. 1997; Esser & Frodin in Frodin & Govaerts, World Checkl. Bibliogr. Araliac.: 103. 2004 (‘2003’).

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Unbranched trees to 5 m tall, spiny; bark thin, brown; distinctly grey-brown pubescent near apex. Leaves: stipules with ca 5 mm long lobes; petiole (10–)25–35 long, pubescent to glabrous; blade chartaceous, to 13 cm long, palmately 5(–7)-lobed, base cordate, basally undivided for 8–15 cm, the lobes 13–20 by 9–15 cm, as long as or slightly longer than the undivided basal part, elliptic and slightly longer than wide, margin serrate, apex acute to subacuminate, glabrous above, glabrous to pubescent beneath, venation distinct, yellowish, side veins in 7 pairs per lobe. Inflorescence only seen in bud, then to 25 cm long, with a long, straight main axis, without spines, with numerous lateral branches, these subtended by 6–16 mm long, stiff bracts; all parts initially densely grey-brown pubescent, lateral branches with 1–5 umbels. Flowers distinctly grey-brownish pubescent, only seen in bud. Fruits unknown.

Thailand : SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi (Khao Khitchakut).

Distribution : Vietnam (type), to be expected in Cambodia.

Ecology : Gaps and clearings in evergreen forests, between granitic boulders, ca 600 m alt. Floral buds: October.

Notes: This species is very similar to Brassaiopsis hainla and differs only in the deeper dissection of the leaves, with elliptic lobes. The treatment here as a separate species is tentative.