Volume 11 > Part 4 > Year 2014 > Page 536 > Campanulaceae > Lobelia

14. Lobelia zeylanica L.wfo-0000814634

Sp. Pl. 2: 932. 1753; Danguy, Fl. Indo-Chine [P.H.Lecomte et al.]3: 678. 1930; Moeliono, Fl. Males., Ser. 1, Spermat. 6: 128. 1960; Nguyen Van Thuan, Fl. Cambodge, Laos & Vietnam 9: 34, p.p. 1969; D.Y.Hong & Lammers, Fl. China 19: 557. 2011 (electronic version); W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes, Thai Forest Bull., Bot. 40: 52. 2012. Fig. 10: G; Plate CXIV: 3–4.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : (Sub)perennial herb, usually hairy to some degree, decumbent, creeping, ascendant, to 10 cm tall, rooting at lower nodes; stem subterete; roots fibrous. Leaves alternate; petiole (0.2–)0.4–1 cm long; lower and upper blades similar, broadly ovate, 1.5–3.5(–5.5) cm long. Flowers solitary; pedicel 10–25 mm long; bracteoles absent (always?); ovary usually (soft) hairy; corolla bilabiate, pale blue, 5–8(–15, not in Thailand, see note 2) mm long; anthers all bearded at apex. Fruit a capsule, usually hairy. Seeds trigonous.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Mae Hong Son (Khun Yuam), Chiang Mai (Doi Inthanon NP); NORTH-EASTERN: Nakhon Phanom (Phu Langka NP); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum; CENTRAL: Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai NP); PENINSULAR: Songkhla (Ton Nga Chang NP).

Distribution : Widespread: from N & S India, Sri Lanka, east to China (type), south-east to whole of Malesia (not yet found in Lesser Sunda Islands or Moluccas), also Solomon Islands, naturalized in Fiji.

Ecology : Damp, (half)shaded places, from sea level to 1,200 m alt. Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Notes: 1. Lobelia zeylanica is readily distinguished by its decumbent growth habit, some hairiness especially on ovary (and fruit), and all leaves distinctly petiolate.

2. We regard Lobelia lobbiana as a synonym, representing a large-flowered local form, with corollas to 15 mm long, from the Khasia Mts. Similar forms with large corollas are known from S China and Sumatra.