Volume 4 > Part 3.3 > Year 2023 > Page 498 > Leguminosae-Papilionoideae > Butea

2. Butea superba Roxb. ex Willd.wfo-0000200397

Sp. Pl. 3(2): 917. 1802; DC., Prodr. 2: 415. 1825; Roxb., Fl. Ind., ed. 3: 247. 1832; Baker in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2(4): 195. 1879; Prain, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1908(9): 385. 1908; Craib, Contrib. Fl. Siam, Dicot.: 64. 1912; Gagnep. in Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 2(4): 414. 1916; Craib, Fl. Siam. 1(3): 445. 1928; Santapau, Rec. Bot. Surv. India 16(1): 77. 1953; Thuân in Aubrév. & J.-F.Leroy, Fl. Cambodge, Laos & Vietnam 17: 99. 1979; Sanjappa, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 29: 214. 1987; Ninkaew & Chantar., Chiang Mai J. Sci. 42(2): 370. 2015.— Rudolphia superba (Roxb. ex Willd.) Poir. in Lam. et al., Encycl. 6(1): 332. 1804.— Plaso superba (Roxb. ex Willd.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 202. 1891.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Woody climber 8−12 m long; bark pale greyish brown, flaking. Stipules triangular 5−7 by 2−3 mm. Leaves: petioles 15−27 cm long, angular, pubescent; rachis 4.5−8 cm long. Leaflets: terminal leaflets broadly ovate or orbicular, 13−29 by 13.5−27 cm, apex cuspidate, base broadly obtuse, cuneate or obtuse, margin entire, both surfaces pubescent; lateral veins 7−9 pairs; lateral leaflets ovate, 15−25.5 by 12−20 cm, apex cuspidate, base oblique, margin entire, both surfaces pubescent; lateral veins 6−8 pairs; petiolules 0.8−1 cm long; stipels acicular, 3−5 mm long. Inflorescences terminal, racemose, 24−30.5 cm long; peduncle 2−4 mm long; pedicels 2.8−3 cm, pubescent; bracts triangular, 4−5 by 1−2 mm. Flowers 8−9 cm long, orange-red. Calyx 1−1.2 cm long. Corolla: standard ovate, 4−6.5 by 1.8−3 cm, apex acute, base obtuse, claw 5−10 mm long; wings oblong, 4.5−7 by 1−1.2 cm, apex acute, base oblique, claw 8−10 mm long; keel elliptic, 6−6.5 by 1.5−2 cm, apex acute, base oblique, claw 7−10 mm long. Stamens: filaments 6−8.5 cm long; anthers elliptic, 4−5 mm long. Ovary oblong, pubescent; style 5.7−6 cm long, pubescent. Pods oblong, 11−19 by 2.9−4 cm, pubescent. Seeds reniform, 2.8−3.2 by 1.5−2 cm, brown.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Mae Hong Son (Khun Yuam, Mae Sariang, Mueang), Chiang Mai (Mae Klang Waterfall, Mae Rim), Nan (Wiang Sa), Lampang (Doi Khun Tan NP, Ngoa, Wang Nua), Phrae (Mae Yom NP), Tak (Thi Lo Su Waterfall), Khamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan (Tha Tako); NORTH-EASTERN: Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon (Phu Phan NP), Khon Kaen (Phu Wiang NP), Maha Sarakham; SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Sai Yok, Sangkhla Buri, Si Sawat, Thong Pha Phum, Tha Thung Na); CENTRAL: Saraburi (Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, Mueang); SOUTH-EASTERN: Chon Buri (Si Racha), Chanthaburi (Khao Soi Dao WS, Pong Nam Ron).

Distribution : India (type), Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.

Ecology : Dry deciduous dipterocarp, mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forests; 25–700 m alt.

Vernacular : Kwao khruea (กวาวเครือ)(Northern); chan khruea (จานเครือ) (Northeastern); thong khruea (ทองเครือ)(Central); pho-ta-ku (โพ้ตะกุ)(Karen-Kanchanaburi); pho-mue (โพมือ)(Karen-Mae Hong Son).