Volume 7 > Part 3 > Year 2001 > Page 469 > Melastomataceae > Phyllagathis

2. Phyllagathis rotundifolia (Jack) Blumewfo-0001267526

Flora 14: 507. 1831; Ridl., Fl. Malay Penins. 1: 794. 1922; Craib in Fl. Siam. Enum. 1: 696. 1931; Bakh.f., Rec. Trav. Bot. Néerl. 40: 266. 1943.— Melastoma rotundifolium Jack, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 11. 1823. Fig. 38.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Herb, 15–30 cm tall, lower part of the stem fleshy and prostrate. Leaves ovate to suborbiculate, sometimes one of a pair reduced, 10–45 x 8–35 cm, base cordate or rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire or finely serrulate, lamina with 2–4 pairs of lateral primary veins, shining dark green above, often anthocyanin red below, above glabrous, below sparsely hairy or glabrous, petioles 6–7 cm long and with conspicuous setae. Inflorescence an axillary umbellate cyme on a fleshy, reddish peduncle ca 15 cm long, subtended by 2–6 bracts, and with isolated hispid hairs (Fig. 38A). Flowers 4-merous, occasionally 5-merous. Hypanthium 4-ribbed or 4-angular, rarely 5-angular, ca 5 mm long, subglabrous; calyx lobes triangular, about 3 mm long, with a terminal bristle, caducous. Petals ovate, about 9 mm long, white or pale pink. Stamens 8 (or 10), isomorphic (Fig. 38C), anthers 3–4 mm long, yellow, the connective with short dorsal spur. Ovary fully united with the hypanthium, apically crowned by 4 scales surrounding the style base. Capsules 4–7 x 4–5 mm, crowned by the 4- or 5-angled, funnel-like ovary outgrowth.

Thailand : PENINSULAR: Songkhla, Yala.

Distribution : Burma, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra (type).

Ecology : Forming extensive carpets in the shady understory of primary evergreen forests, at altitudes below 500 m. The Elephant's Footprint is one of the most conspicuous forests floor species in Peninsular Malaysia.