Volume 16 > Part 1 > Year 2022 > Page 16 > Annonaceae > Alphonsea

6. Alphonsea glandulosa Y.H.Tan & B.Xuewfo-0001347494

PLoS ONE 12(2): e0170107(11). 2017; Leeratiwong et al., Thai Forest Bull., Bot. 48(1): 24. 2020.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Tree 9–40 m tall; bark brown, greyish brown or grey, loose, longitudinally fissured. Twigs densely covered with brown appressed hairs when young, later glabrous. Leaves subcoriaceous to chartaceous, lanceolate to elliptic, oblong-lanceolate or ovate, 4–18 by 1.5–8 cm, base cuneate or slightly rounded, apex acuminate, the acumen 2–15 mm long, or acute, glabrous, sometimes brown-pubescent on midrib above, glabrous or sparsely brown appressed-pubescent below, margins revolute, midrib sunken above, secondary veins 7–12 per side, tertiary venation on lower surface forming a loose network; petioles 2–5 mm long. Inflorescences 3–13-flowered, peduncle 2–5 mm long, pedicels 6–20 mm long, each bearing a single bract near the midpoint; buds conical. Sepals connate at base, ovate, 1–2 mm long, obtuse. Outer petals greenish yellow to yellow, ovate or triangular-ovate, 8–12 by 5–7 mm, apex obtuse or acute, densely hairy outside, moderately hairy inside. Inner petals greenish yellow to whitish yellow, triangular-ovate or ovate, 7.5–11 by 4.5–7 mm, apex obtuse, hairy outside, glabrous except hairy at apex inside, with glandular tissue apparent as a transverse ridge near the inner base. Stamens 25–35, oblong, 0.8–1 mm long. Carpels 4–7, ovaries ellipsoid-oblong, 2–3 mm long. Fruit of 4–6 monocarps borne on a pedicel 10–30 mm long. Monocarps ovoid, ellipsoid-ovoid or subglobose, 2–3.5 by 1.7–3 cm, smooth, with a longitudinal groove on outer surface, sometimes constricted between seeds, densely brown-pubescent, apex rounded, base contracted into a stipe 2–10 mm long. Seeds 6–13 per monocarp, ellipsoid-reniform, 10–15 by 5–8 mm.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai (Mae Sai, Doi Luang NP), Phayao (Phu Sang NP, Doi Luang NP), Nan (Tham Sakoen NP), Lamphun (Doi Khun Tan NP), Lampang (Doi Luang NP, Chae Son NP), Phrae (Mae Song – type of Alphonsea lutea var. longipes Craib: Vanpruk 444, holotype -K, isotype -ABD), Sukhothai (Si Satchanalai NP), Phitsanulok (Tham Pha Tha Phon, Thung Salaeng Luang NP); NORTH-EASTERN: Phetchabun (Nam Nao NP), Phu Pha Chit), Loei (Phu Kradueng NP, Phu Luang NP, Phu Pha Man NP); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum (Khon San, Nam Phrom), Nakhon Ratchasima (Khao Yai NP); SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani (Huai Kha Khaeng WS), Kanchanaburi (Khwae Noi Basin, Si Sawat); CENTRAL: Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai NP).

Distribution : China (type).

Ecology : Shaded or streamside areas in tropical rain forests, dry evergreen forests or mixed deciduous forests, sometimes on limestone hills in dry dipterocarp forests, 400–1,025 m alt. Flowering: January–May, December; fruiting: March–July, October, December.

Vernacular : Cha fang (จ้าฝาง)(Northern).

Notes: Alphonsea glandulosa is distinguished by having inner petals with a transverse glandular ridge on the inner base. The dense brown to orangish glands on the the lower surface of the leaves and the deciduous habit are also unique among Thai Alphonsea species.