Flora of Thailand Euphorbiaceae

 

77. Sauropus

 

P.C. van Welzen

 

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Genus description

Identification key

Species descriptions

Blume, Bijdr.: 595. 1826; Müll.Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 129. 1866; Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV.147.xv: 215. 1922; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 330. 1972; Kew Bull. Add. Ser. 4: 190. 1975; Kew Bull. 35: 669. 1980; G.L.Webster, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 46. 1994; Welzen, Thai For. Bull. 28: 57, fig. 10. 2000; Radcl.-Sm., Gen. Euphorb.: 43. 2001; Welzen, Blumea 48: 331. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 521. 2007.— Agyneia Vent., Descr. Pl. Nouv.: t. 23. 1800 (non L.).— Ceratogynum Wight, Ic. 5: 26. 1852.— Diplomorpha Griff., Notul. Pl. Asiat. 4: 479. 1854.— Synostemon F.Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Austral. 1: 32. 1858; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 343. 1972.— Breyniopsis Beille, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 72: 157. 1975.— Heterocalymnantha Domin, Bibl. Bot. 89: 313. 1927.

Herbs to undershrubs, monoecious; stem often with 4 raised ribs. Indumentum mainly absent, rarely simple hairs. Stipules triangular, late caducous. Leaves distichous, simple; blade symmetric, basally attached, margin entire, surfaces without glands; venation usually indistinct. Inflorescences ramiflorous or cauliflorous racemes to usually axillary fascicles of usually 1 to a few bracteate flowers, all hanging down. Flowers minute, actinomorphic; calyx lobes 6, imbricate; petals, disc, and pistillode absent. Staminate flowers: calyx lobes obovoid to obtruncate, minute, in most species with erect scales near the base, in some species 3 lobes apically inflexed and grown with adaxial midrib, then scales lacking; stamens 3, united in an androphore, apex of latter split 3 ways, horizontal or ascending (group without scales), anthers underneath, with (2)4 thecae. Pistillate flowers: sepals ovate, persistent in fruit; ovary 3-locular, apically flat to crater-like; ovules 2 per locule; style absent; stigmas 3, on wall of crater, split to halfway. Fruits rhegmas, not lobed, tardily dehiscent, usually thin-walled and woody when dry, smooth, glabrous. Seeds without arilloid.

    Genus of 50 or more species, with a single species on Mauritius, all others ranging from India and Sri Lanka to S. China, S.E. Asia (main diversity), Malesia, to Australia (main diversity of the former genus Synostemon); 24 species in Thailand of which two are only known from cultivation. Classification: Subfam. Phyllanthoideae, tribe Phyllantheae, subtribe Flueggeinae. The infrageneric classification, basically by Pax & Hoffmann (1922), seemingly does not satisfy (Airy Shaw, 1980) and is, therefore, omitted here.

    Note.— The term asperities is used for a kind of stiff papillae, present on the leaves or stems in some species.

1. Sauropus amabilis Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 49. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 332. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 338, map 1. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 525. 2007.

Woody herbs to small shrubs, up to 60 cm tall; branches hirsute, round. Stipules 1.8-2.5 by 0.2-0.5 mm, subhirsute. Leaves: petiole 1-1.5 mm long, hairy; blade ovate with almost parallel margins tapering towards the apex, 1.3-4.1 by 0.7-2.2 cm, length/width ratio 1.1-3.3, base slightly emarginate, margins flat, apex rounded, slightly hirsute on both sides, glabrescent; nerves 8 or 9, very distinct on both sides. Flowers in small groups or single, both sexes together. Staminate flowers c. 4 mm in diameter, brownish, glabrous except for a few hairs on the pedicel; pedicel c. 6 mm long, calyx not lobed, discoid with inrolled margin, c. 4 mm in diameter; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.3 mm, stamens horizontal. Pistillate flowers c. 3 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 4 mm long, stiff hairy; calyx with ovate lobes, latter c. 1.3 by 1 mm, equal, stiff hairy outside, glabrous inside; ovary c. 1 by 0.8 mm; stigmas c. 0.5 mm long, horizontal. Fruits unknown.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Nakhon Sawan (Hua Wai); NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Pa Sala Chomwio, Wang Sapung).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Hua Wai, Nakhon Sawan, PUT 4102, holo in K, iso in BK, L).

(stars; Sauropus asteranthos Airy Shaw: dots)

    E c o l o g y.— Mixed deciduous forest. Altitude: 200-790 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Tai bai yai (ใต้ใบใหญ่) (Northern).

2. Sauropus amoebiflorus Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 45. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 332. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 339, fig. 2c, map 2. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 526, Fig. 72C. 2007.

Small herbs to shrubs, glabrous; rootstock woody; branches with 4 ribs, latter without asperities. Stipules triangular to basally oblique to falcate, 0.8-5.5 by 0.3-3 mm. Leaves: petiole 1-1.2 mm long, pulvinate, with small asperities; blade (ovate to) elliptic, 2.1-5.1 by 0.7-1.6 cm, length/width ratio 1.5-3, pergamentaceous, base cuneate, margin reflexed with small asperities, apex rounded to acute, mucronulate, lighter below, midrib above often with asperities; venation distinct, nerves 6-9, some more distinct than others. Flowers in axillary fascicles, greenish to maroon, single or few together. Staminate flowers 3.5-5.2 mm in diameter, flat, often triangular; pedicel 2.7-4 mm long; calyx lobes flat, with scales, apex bifid up to scales with acute tips, 3 small, not developed or up to 0.8 by 2.5 mm, larger lobes up to 2.1 by 2.3 mm; stamens: androphore 0.1-0.3 mm long, anthers 0.3-0.4 by 0.3-0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers 6.3-9 mm in diameter; pedicel 2-3.2 mm long; calyx lobes ovate, 3 smaller, c. 3.2 by 3.8 mm, larger ones 2.3-4.5 by 2.3-5 mm; ovary obpyramidal, 0.7-1.1 by 1.7-2 mm, stigmas usually flat, up to 1 mm long. Fruits ovoid, c. 8 by 5 mm, white; column not seen. Seeds triangular in section, c. 4.5 by 3 by 3.5 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Ban Mae Hoi Nai, Chang Khian, Doi Kham, Doi Inthanon, Doi Saget, Huai Din Dam, Huai Bong, Mae Heai), Lamphun (Mae Li), Lampang (Doi Khun Tan, Mae Mawh Lignite Mine), Sukhothai (Sa Wang A Rom Temple); SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani (Ban Dong, Huai Kha Khaeng), Kanchanaburi (Khao Tong, Wang Kanai, Wang Sing), Ratchaburi.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Ratburi, Ratchaburi, KERR 9023, holo in K, iso in BK, L).

    E c o l o g y.— Usually found in very secondary evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp forest, open, dry (scrub) deciduous forest, bamboo forest, open rocky slopes along highway; soil: rocky; granite to limestone to shale bedrock. Altitude: 50-800(-1800) m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Kwang hi pia (กวางหีเปี๊ยะ), luk tai bai, phak wan ban (ผักหวานบ้าน) (Northern); tai bai (ใต้ใบ) (South-western).

    N o t e s.— 1. In the northern provinces (Chiang Mai, Lamphun, etc.) the leaves are longer and the calyx of the staminate flowers becomes triangular due to the three undeveloped smaller calyx lobes. This changes to shorter, broader leaves in the South-western area, where the staminate calyx has 6 distinct lobes, three somewhat smaller.

    2. S. amoebiflorus strongly resembles S. bacciformis. The latter species has leaves which usually dry lighter, more yellowish and which lack the asperities, also the staminate and pistillate flowers are much smaller and the fruits are higher than broad as in S. amoebiflorus.

3. Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr., Philipp. Bur. For. Bot. 1: 30. 1903; Beille M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 645. 1927; Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 471. 1963; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 333. 1972; Kew Bull. Add. Ser. 4: 193. 1975; Bergh in PROSEA 8: 244. 1994; Welzen, Blumea 48: 340, fig. 1a, map 3. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 527, Fig. 72A. 2007.— Clutia androgyna L., Mant. Pl. 1: 128. 1767.— Sauropus albicans Blume, Bijdr.: 596. 1825.— Sauropus sumatranus Miq., Sum.: 446. 1860.— Sauropus parviflorus Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 147, 15: 218. 1922.— Sauropus sp., ? aff. S. stipitato Hook.f.: Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 339. 1972.

Shrubs to treelets, up to 4 m high, glabrous; young branches with 2 or vaguely 4 ribs, without asperities. Stipules triangular, 1.8-3.2 by 0.8-1.3 mm. Leaves: petiole c. 2 mm long, flattened above; blade ovate, 1.8-9.1 by 0.8-4 cm, length/width ratio 1.5-2.7, papery (to pergamentaceous), drying greenish, base rounded to truncate, margin flat to recurved, gradually tapering (usually without a sinus) into the obtuse to acute apex, often mucronulate, green above, grey-green underneath; nerves usually distinct on both sides, 6-10. Flowers in axillary fascicles, in small groups or on short, up to 8 mm long inflorescences, greenish to yellowish to (partly) red. Staminate flowers 3-18.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 4.5-13 mm long; calyx flat, small and lobed to wide, reflexed and hardly lobed, lobes indistinct to ovate, 0.7-3 by 1.3-5 mm, apices rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.1-0.3 mm long, stamens 0.4-0.6 by 0.4-0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers 5.5-10 mm in diameter; pedicel up to 3.2(-14 in fruit) mm long; calyx lobes usually obovate, smaller ones 1.8-4 by 1.8-4.5 mm, larger ones 2.2-5.5 by 2-7 mm; ovary 1.1-1.5 by 1-2 mm; stigmas up to 1.2 mm long, flat, split till halfway, bend, forming less than a circle. Fruits white, inflated, fleshy, 14-16 by 9-15 mm; column 8-10 mm long with apically heart-shaped remnants of the septae. Seeds triangular in transverse section, hollow, 7-8 by 4.5-5 by 4-4.5 mm, white and black.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai, Nan; NORTH-EASTERN: Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Khon Kaen; EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani; SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan; CENTRAL: Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Bangkok; SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri, Chon Buri, Trat; PENINSULAR: Ranong, Surat Thani, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— From India and Sri Lanka to S. China and Indochina, throughout West Malesia to Sulawesi, Moluccas, and perhaps New Guinea.

    E c o l o g y.— (Open areas in) shaded evergreen forest (with much bamboo), secondary forest, waste ground, fruit gardens, in scrubs, in old clearings, along river banks, edge of forest; soil: limestone, sand. Altitude: 0-550 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Kan tong (ก้านตง), cha phak wan (จ๊าผักหวาน) (Northern); tho-lui-ka-ni-do (โถหลุ่ยกะนีเด๊าะ) (Karen-Mae Hong Son); phak kan tong (ผักก้านตง) (North-eastern); phak wan (ผักหวาน), phak wan ban (ผักหวานบ้าน) (General); ma yom pa (มะยมป่า) (Prachuap Khiri Khan); phak wan tai bai (ผักหวานใต้ใบ) (Satun); na-na-siam (นานาเซียม) (Malay-Satun).

    U s e s.— Young shoots, leaves, but also flowers and fruits can be eaten as a vegetable, raw or cooked; they taste sweet and have a nice or very typical odour. They can also be added to soup. The dried and crushed root is used medicinally in Chiang Mai against head ache, but seemingly it also acts against fever or urinary problems; the leaves are thought to stimulate milk production and recover the womb after child birth.

    N o t e s.— 1. Almost similar to S. garrettii (latter with very small asperities on stems and petioles) and S. rhamnoides (larger leaves, pistillate sepals thicker, stigmas larger). 

    2. S. spec. (Airy Shaw, 1972) is referred to S. androgynus, because staminate flowers with distinct, incurved lobes are often encountered.

4. Sauropus asteranthos Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 47. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 333. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 343, map 1. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 529. 2007.

Woody herbs, up to 1 m high, glabrous, asperities absent; young branches with 2 ribs, older ones faintly 4. Stipules triangular on young branches, large and falcate on older ones, 0.7-3 by 0.3-2 mm. Leaves: petiole 1-1.2 mm long, pulvinate; blade (elliptic to) obovate, 2-3.2 by 0.4-2 cm, length/width ratio 1.3-2, papery, base slightly oblique to truncate to cuneate, margin flat to revolute, apex round to acute, mucronulate, whitish below; nerves rather distinct, 3-6. Flowers axillary single or few fascicled with both sexes, deep maroon. Staminate flowers 2-3.2 mm in diameter; pedicel 1.7-4 mm long; calyx flat, lobes 0.5-1.1 by 0.6-1.1 mm, deeply divided up to scales, apices acute, scales as broad or slightly broader than lobes, quite high; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high, anthers c. 0.2 by 0.2 mm. Pistillate flowers 3.5-5 mm in diameter; pedicel 1.2-2 mm long; calyx lobes spade-like, smaller ones 1.2-2 by 1.3-2.6 mm, larger ones 1.8-2 by 1.4-3 mm; ovary obpyrimidal, 0.7-0,6 by 1.2-1.7 mm; stigmas horizontal, up to 1 mm long, split till halfway. Fruits subglobose, c. 4.5 by 4 mm, with small apical rim around persistent stigmas; column c. 2.8 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in section, c. 3.8 by 2 by 2 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Mae Rim), Lamphun (Mae Li, Mae Ow), Lampang (Nong Bon), Tak (Doi Ka), Nakhon Sawan (Hua Wai, Mae Wong); NORTH-EASTERN: Nakhon Phanom (Don Tan); SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani (Ban Rai, Huai Kha Khaeng), Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi (Luke Chang).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Don Tan, Nakhon Phanom, KERR 21530, holo in K, iso in BK, L).

    E c o l o g y.— Open glade in dry dipterocarp forest, deciduous (dipterocarp-oak) forest, open rocky scrub slopes, scrub jungle: soil: granite bedrock. Altitude: 100-700 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom don (มะยมดอน) (General).

    Note.— Very similar to S. quadrangularis, mainly differing in the more deeply lobes and sharply pointed calyx lobes of the staminate flowers and in the horizontal instead of erect stigmas.

5. Sauropus bacciformis (L.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 35: 685. 1980; Welzen, Blumea 48: 345, map 5. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 529. 2007.— Phyllanthus bacciformis L., Mant. Pl.: 294. 1767.— Phyllanthus racemosus L.f., Suppl.: 415. 1781.— Agyneia impubes Vent., Descr. Pl. Jard. Cels.: 23, tab. 23. 1800.— Agyneia bacciformis (L.) A.Juss., Euphorb. Gen. Tent.: 24, t. 6. 1824.— Agyneia phyllanthoides Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 19. 1826.—  Emblica racemosa (L.f.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 20. 1826.— Diplomorpha herbacea Griff., Not. Pl. As. 4: 479. 1854.— Diplomorpha bacciformis (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl.: 693. 1891.— Phyllanthus goniocladus Merr. & Chun, Sunyatsenia 2: 260, t. 51. 1935.— Synostemon bacciformis (L.) G.L.Webster, Taxon 9: 26. 1960, in adnot.; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 343. 1972.

Herbs to subshrubs up to 50 cm high, glabrous, without asperities, branches with mainly 4 ribs. Stipules triangular, 2.2-3 by c. 1 mm. Leaves: petiole less than 1 mm long; blade elliptic, 6.5-25 by 1.5-7(-13) mm, length/width ratio 1.9-6, pergamentaceous, base rounded, margin entire, without asperities, apex rounded to acute, lower surface somewhat papillate and glaucous; nerves very indistinct. Flowers axillary, green, several in fascicles (staminate) or single (pistillate). Staminate flowers 1.2-1.3 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 0.6 mm long; calyx flat, lobes deeply divided, ovate, 0.4-0.5 by 0.3-0.4 mm, apex entire, rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high; stamens c. 0.2 by 0.2-0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 4-5.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 3-4 mm long; sepals free, 2-2.8 by 1-1.4 mm; ovary obtruncate, c. 1 by 0.9 mm; stigmas c. 0.5 mm long, upper half split, horizontal. Fruits ovoid, 5-5.2 by 5.5-6.5 mm, green, wih apically lobed rim around stigmas; column c. 3.3 mm long, with ellipsoid thickening above middle till apex. Seeds triangular in section, c. 4.5 by 1.2 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTH-EASTERN: Kalasin (Ban Dong Akka), Maha Sarakham (Payak Pom Pisai); EASTERN: Buri Ram (Khao Phanom Rung), Surin (Tongularonghai), Roi Et (Ban Nam Om, Thung Kula Rong Hai), Ubon Ratchathani; SOUTH-WESTERN: Phetchaburi (Mae Klong), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Khao Tao, Sam Roi Yot); CENTRAL: Bangkok (Bangkhen, Bangkok, Paknam), Samut Prakan (Ban Bang Pu Kao); SOUTH-EASTERN: Chon Buri (Ban Soen, Ko Kram, Tong Brong), Trat (Ban Saphan Hin); PENINSULAR: Surat Thani (Kantuli, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Samui), Nakhon Si Thammarat , Phatthalung (Lahm Bahm).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Mauritius, India (type), Sri Lanka, S. China, S.E. Asia (inc. Indochina), W. Malesia: Malay Peninsula, Bangka, Borneo, Java, and Sulawesi.

    E c o l o g y.— According to Airy Shaw typical for saline sandy or clayey soil, especially along or near beaches, also recorded to be common in wet, grassy roadsides. Altitude: sea level up to 200(-1800) m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Thong laeng (ทองแล้ง) (Eastern); ma phrao nok khao (มะพร้าวนกเขา), soi nok khao (สร้อยนกเขา) (Central).

    Note.— See second note under S. amoebiflorus.

6. Sauropus bicolor Craib, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew: 11. 1914; Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 654. 1927; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 333. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 347, fig 2a, 5, map 6. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 530, Fig. 72D-F, 73, Plate XXIX: 1. 2007.— Phyllanthus spec.: Hosseus, Bot. Jahrb. 45: 373.— Phyllanthus parvifolius (non Ham.) Hosseus, Bot. Jahrb. 45: 407, nom. illeg.— Sauropus similis Craib var. microphylla Craib, Aberdeen Univ. Stud. 57: 184. 1912.— Sauropus bicolor Craib var. microphyllus (Craib) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 333. 1972.

Small shrubs (to trees), up to 1(-8) m high, glabrous, with woody rootstock, stems without asperities, with 4 shallow ribs. Stipules triangular, often eared basally, 1.2-2.6 by 0.9-1.6 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.5-2 mm long, pulvinate; blade ovate (to per plant few elliptic), 1.1-5.6 by 0.5-2.9 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-2.8, coriaceous, base (oblique to) rounded to cuneate, margin reflexed, apex rounded to acute, mucronulate, lower surface glaucous, only nerves distinct, 5-7 per side, not or hardly raised above. Flowers greenish to (whitish) yellow to pinkish (red), axillary, usually few staminate ones in fascicles, pistillate ones (sub)terminally, single. Staminate flowers 3-4.8 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.8-5.5 mm long; calyx somewhat turbinate, up to 2 mm high, calyx lobes 0.6-1 by 1.3-2.2 mm, not to slightly lobed, apices usually rounded, scales large; stamens: androphore 0.7-1.1 mm long, anthers 0.3-0.8 by 0.3-0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers 5.8-10(-14 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1.2-2.1(-4.8 in fruit) mm long; calyx lobes 1.8-3(-5) by 2-3(-5 in fruit) mm; ovary 1.2-1.7 by 2-2.2 mm; stigmas c. 1.2 mm long, horizontal split up to halfway. Fruits ovoid, 7-7.5 by 5.5-6 mm, rather woody when dry, thin-walled, not inflated, white; column c. 1.4 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in section, 3.9-4 by 2-3 by 2-2.3 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Bo Luang, Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Inthanon, Doi Loh, Doi Saget, Doi Suthep, Kongloi, Mae Klang, Mae Tang, Mae Wan, Omkoi), Lamphun (Ban Khun Tan, Doi Khun Tan, Mae Li), Lampang (Doi Luang, Khuntan), Tak (Doi Hua Mot), Kamphaeng Phet (Khao Hua Mot); NORTH-EASTERN: Phetchabun (Nam Nao), Loei (Phu Kradueng), Khon Kaen (Phu Khiao); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum (Ban Nam Phrom); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Khao Meng, Tham Tan Lot).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Myanmar, Thailand (type of S. bicolor: Doi Suthep, KERR 651, holo in K, iso in BM, K; type of Phyllanthus parvifolius = S. similis var. microphylla: Wang Djao, HOSSEUS 48, holo in K), Indochina.

    E c o l o g y.— In deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, open pine forest or very secondary areas like open grassy ground, savannah, fire damaged vegetation, open places in forest, along roads, edges of forest, in bogs; soil: poor sand, clayey, limestone, granite and shale bedrock. Altitude: 350-2175 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Phak wan daeng (ผักหวานแดง), ma yom tia (มะยมเตี้ย), yom dong (ยมดง) (Loei); phak wan pa (ผักหวานป่า) (Chiang Mai); si siat phae (สีเสียดแพะ) (Lamphun).

    N o t e.— The leaves of the S. bicolor specimens show a continuous range of sizes, therefore, the variety microphyllus cannot be maintained.

7. Sauropus brevipes Müll.Arg., Linnaea 32: 73. 1863; in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 242. 1866; Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 5: 335. 1887; Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 653. 1927; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 44. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 334. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 348, map 7. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 532. 2007.— Sauropus parvifolius Ridl., J. Roy. As. Soc. Str. Br. 49: 175. 1911.

Woody herbs to shrubs, up to 1 m tall, glabrous, smelling of fenugreek when dry; branches with 2 ribs, often with asperities between ribs, glabrescent. Stipules triangular to basally eared and falcate, 0.5-3.1 by 0.4-1.5 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.3-2.5 mm long; blade (ovate to elliptic to) obovate, 0.9-3.3 by 0.6-2 cm, length/width ratio 1.5-2.9, papery to chartaceous, base cuneate, margin flat (to revolute), apex runded to acuminate, mucronulate, dark green above, light dull green beneath, nerves 6-8, not raised. Flowers in axillary fascicles, pale green to bright red, few together (staminate) or single (pistillate). Staminate flowers 3-4.2 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.5-6.2 mm long; calyx flat, lobes 0.5-0.9 by 0.7-1.2 mm, apex rounded to slightly emarginate, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.2-0.3 mm long, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 5.2-7(-9 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1.8-2.7 mm long; calyx lobes obovate, not spade-like, 2.5-3.2 by 1.3-2.3 mm, 3 slightly smaller; ovary 0.6-1 by 1.5-1.8 mm; stigmas horizontal, up to 1.3 mm long, split for 0.5 mm. Fruits ovoid, c. 5 by 4 mm, rather woody when dry; column c. 4 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, c. 3.7 by 2.3 by 2.3 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Pha Nuk Khao), Khon Kaen (Phu Khiao); EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima (Sakae-rat), Surin (Khao Sawai), Ubon Ratchathani (Phu Chong Na-Yoi); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Khao Salap, Tripagoda Pass), Ratchaburi (Bong Ti, Huai Yang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Khao Chrongwan, Pranburi, Thap Sakae); CENTRAL: Saraburi (Sam Lan); PENINSULAR: Surat Thani (Kanchanadit, Kantuli, Khao Pak Chong, Ko Tao).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Myanmar (type), Thailand, Cambodia, N. Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Penang).

    E c o l o g y.— Mixed dry dipterocarp forest, mixed decidous forest, evergreen thickets, disturbed (bamboo rich) evergreen forest, by streams, forest edges, sandy shores; soil: limestone, sand, red clay, granite. Altitude: 0-400 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Kraduk kai dam (กระดูกไก่ดำ) (South-western); kham kao (ข้ามเขา) (Peninsular).

    N o t e.— Extremely similar to S. quadrangularis, but differing in smell of fenugreek, the apically non-lobed staminate sepals, and the horizontal stigmas. Also, S. brevipes often has asperities along the stem between the ribs, these are absent in S. quadrangularis.

8. Sauropus discocalyx Welzen, Blumea 46: 501, fig. 1. 2001; Blumea 48: 351, fig. 6, map 8. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 533, Fig. 74. 2007.

Shrublets with ascending habit, up to 0.5 m high; glabrous, smooth, young branches with 4 distinct ribs; bark not corky, nor fissured. Stipules triangular, basally eared, 2.5-3 by 2-2.5 mm. Leaves: petiole 2.5-4 mm long; blade (ovate to) elliptic, 11.5-17.5 by 5.8-7.2 cm, length/width ratio 2-2.3, papery, base attenuate, margin flat, apex cuspidate, usually mucronulate, nerves 12-15. Inflorescences cauliflorous at ground level to axillary, racemes (to panicles), up to 7.5 cm long, with per node groups of staminate flowers and a single pistillate flower; staminate flowers sometimes on short, up to 2 mm long, branches. Flowers reddish green. Staminate flowers 12-13 mm in diameter; pedicel 13.5-15 mm long; calyx flat, hardly lobed, disc-like, lobes 1-1.5 by c. 4.5 mm, apex rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.3 mm high, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.7 mm. Pistillate flowers c. 11 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 13 mm long; calyx lobes obovate, c. 5 by 3 mm; ovary c. 2 by 2 mm, green; stigmas horizontal, green. Fruits red, not seen. Seeds unknown.

    T h a i l a n d.— PENINSULAR: Chumphon (Langsuan), Ranong (Khao Saideng).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Thailand (type: Khao Saideng, near Ranong, VAN BEUSEKOM & PHENGKHLAI 566, holo in L, iso in AAU, BKF, C, E, K, P). Perhaps also in Malaysia (Perak).

    E c o l o g y.— Wet evergreen forest. Altitude: 400-1500 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom bon (มะยมบ้าน) (General).

    N o t e.— The two known specimens of this new species were originally identified as S. bonii Beille, but they have a closer resemblance to S. racemosus Beille. The type of S. racemosus is quite unlike that of S. discocalyx in the leaves (smaller and narrower: up to 10.5 by 3.5, length/width ratio c. 3) and the staminate flowers (also broad, c. 15 mm in diameter, but very distinctly lobed, with lobes till about halfway the calyx). A second specimen from Paris, doubtfully identified as S. racemosus (leaves basally rounded instead of narrowly cuneate), has pistillate flowers with short, up to 2.2 mm long, pedicels and an ovary which is basally rounded and not narrow, also the diameter of the flower is much smaller, c. 7 mm in diameter and the calyx lobes are c. 3.5 by 2 mm.

9. Sauropus garrettii Craib, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew: 284. 1914; Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 646. 1927; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 334. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 353, map 9. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 533. 2007.— Sauropus yunnanensis Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV.147.xv: 220. 1922.

Shrubs to small trees, up to 3 m high, glabrous; young branches with 2 ridges, in between ridges often (faint) asperities. Stipules triangular, 2.5-4.2 by 0.3-1.2 mm. Leaves: petiole 2-3 mm long, flattened and ridged above, with very small asperities above; blade ovate (to elliptic), 2.7-12.8 by 1.2-4.2 cm, length/width ratio 1.5-3.2, papery, base cuneately to attenuately rounded, margin flat, curved sinuately to acuminate apex, latter usually mucronulate, midrib basally with minute asperities above, dark green above, light green underneath; venation rather distinct, nerves 8-12. Flowers axillary, single or in small fascicles, seldom on short, up to 5 mm long racemes, greenish to pale yellow-green. Staminate flowers 4-6.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 6.5-15 mm long; calyx flat, not to slightly lobed, circular, lobes 0.5-0.8 by 1.2-2.5 mm, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.1-0.4 mm long, anthers 0.4-0.7 by c. 0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers 4-8 mm in diameter; pedicel 3.8-13 mm long; calyx lobes almost free, ovate to obovate, often thick, smaller ones 2-3.5 by 1-3.1 mm, larger ones 2.5-5 by 1.3-2.7 mm; ovary bell-shaped, 1-1.5 by 1-1.9 mm; stigmas 1-2 mm long, apically split, slender, horizontal, coiling in more than full circle. Fruits ovoid to globose, 7-8 by 9-11 mm, thin-walled, wall parts remaining stuck to base after dehiscence, spreading star-like, green; column absent. Seeds triangular in section, not hollow on inside, 6.5-7 by 3.8-4 by 3.5-3.6 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Angka, Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Inthanon, Doi Sahng Liang, Kun Mae Tawn, Mae Chem), Nan (Doi Phu Kha National Park), Lamphun (Doi Khun Tan), Lampang (Chae Son), Tak (Ban Mae Om Ki); NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Phu Kradueng).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Myanmar, S. China (Yunnan), Thailand (type: Doi Angka (Doi Inthanon), Mae Wang drainage, NE of Pa Ngeam, Chiang Mai, GARRETT 37, holo in K, iso in L, TCD).

    E c o l o g y.— (Margins of or disturbed places in) evergreen forest or deciduous forest with bamboo; soil: limestone to granite bedrock. Altitude: 550-1900 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom ang ka (มะยมอ่างกา) (General).

    N o t e.— Very similar to S. androgynus and S. rhamnoides (e.g. South-eastern material of latter was usually referred to S. garrettii). S. garrettii has minute asperities on the branches, upper part of petiole and midrib, also the seeds are not hollow on the inside.

10. Sauropus granulosus Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 53. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 335. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 354, fig. 3c, map 10. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 535, Fig. 75D. 2007.

Low shrubs, up to 1 m high, glabrous; only very young branches with slight trace of ribs, asperities absent. Stipules triangular, c. 1.2 by 0.5 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.2-1.5 mm long, pulvinate, flattened; blade obovate, 0.8-2.7 by 0.5-1.5 cm, length/width ratio 1.6-1.8, pergamentaceous, base cuneate, margin flat to revolute, apex truncate to round, mucronulate, green above, chagrined, grey-green below, venation visible, not strongly raised, nerves 6 or 7, under sharp angle with midrib, basal nerve reaching till about halfway. Flowers axillary, in small fascicles or solitary, greenish white to yellowish to red. Staminate flowers 2-3 mm in diameter; pedicel 1.8-3 mm long; calyx campanulate, 0.5-1.2 mm high, inflexed lobes (those with emarginate apex) 0.6-1 by 0.6-1.2 mm, infolded apex grown with raised midrib, non-inflexed lobes (rounded apex) 0.7-1 by 0.6-1.2 mm, scales absent; stamens: androphore c. 0.8 mm long, anthers 0.8-0.9 by c. 0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers 4.3(-7.7 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1.8-2.5 mm; calyx lobes obovate, rounded, small ones 1.3-2.5 by 1.8-2.2 mm, larger ones 1.7-2.5 by 1.1-2.7 mm; ovary bell-shaped, apically flat, c. 1 by 1-1.2 mm; stigmas separate, bases not touching, spreading, c. 1.2 mm long, split in upper ¹/₃^rd to completely. Fruits ovoid, c. 5 by 7 mm, apically with rim; column c. 1 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, c. 3.7 by 2 by 2.5 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Sithan, Wang Sa Phung); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum (Ban Nam Phrom); SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri (Aranyaprathet), Chon Buri (Khao Khiao).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Wa Nawn, Sakon Nakhon, KERR 8500, holo in K, iso in BK).

(dots; S. kerrii Airy Shaw: stars; S. pulchellus Airy Shaw: diamonds)

    E c o l o g y.— Usually in very open (disturbed) habitats like road sides, dry thorny savannah, deciduous forest with bamboo, locally common in open space; soil: rocky. Altitude: 200-300 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mak khai lang (หมากไข่ล่าง) (North-eastern); sano run (โสนรุ่น) (South-eastern).

    N o t e.— Strongly resembles S. kerrii (smaller leaves, more shiny), S. pulchellus (more distinct venation, basal nerve ending far below leaf middle), and S. rostratus (acute leaves, ribbed branches with asperities).

11. Sauropus heteroblastus Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 48. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 335. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 355, map 11. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 537. 2007.— Sauropus compressus sensu Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 655. 1927, non Müll.Arg. (1866).

Straggling, rheophytic shrubs, up to 2 m high, glabrous, stem red tinged, many short branches (less than 4 mm long) with (1)2(3) leaves and few flowers, stem with 2 raised lines. Stipules triangular, 0.7-1.2 by 0.6-1.1 mm. Leaves red tinged; petiole c. 1 mm long; blades obovate, 4.5-32 by 4-20 mm, length/width ratio 1.1-1.6, somewhat chartaceous, base cuneate, margin flat, apex round to emarginate, mucronulate; nerves 5 or 6, indistinct. Flowers axillary, in small fascicles or single, tinged red to maroonish. Staminate flowers 2.5-3 mm in diameter; pedicel 5-5.5 mm long; calyx flat, lobes ovate 0.7-0.8 by 0.8-1 mm, slightly apically lobed, apices rouded, scales present; stamens: androphore 02.-0.3 mm high, anthers 0.2-0.3 by 0.2-0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 3-5.5 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 1.5 mm long; calyx lobes almost free, 1.5-2.3 by 1.5-2.5 mm, apex spade-like; ovary 0.8-1 by c. 1.5 mm; stigmas pig-tail-like wound, 0.5-1 mm long. Fruits not seen, depressed globose, c. 9 by 4-5 mm (Beille, 1927). Seeds not seen.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHEASTERN: Udon Thani (Wa Nawn); EASTERN: Surin (Tathum), Ubon Ratchatani (Pibon Mang Sahan).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.—  Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam (type).

(stars; Sauropus hirsutus Beille: dots)

    E c o l o g y.— In small clumps on riverbanks, part of year dry; soil: sandstone. Altitude: 100-200 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Khrai hang nak (ไคร้หางนาค) (Northeastern).

12. Sauropus hirsutus Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 657. 1927; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 235. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 356, map 11. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 537, Fig. 76, Plate XXVIII: 1. 2007.

Prostrate woody herbs to small shrubs, up to 40 cm(-2 m) high, branches hirsute, round, without ridges. Stipules 1.8-4 by 0.7-1.1 mm. Leaves: petiole1.7-2.8 mm long, hairy; blade (ovate to) elliptic (to obovate), 1.4-7.5 by 1-3.8 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-2.2, papery to pergamentaceous, base rounded to cuneate, margin convex, flat to sometimes revolute, apex bluntly acute, usually mucronulate, upper surface glabrous except for margin, dark green, lower surface slightly to completely hairy, light green; nerves 5-8, often distinct. Flowers axillary, usually few (to many) in fascicles, (green to) dark red. Staminate flowers 2.8-3.3 mm in diameter; pedicel 3-4 mm long, subglabrous; calyx flat, lobes 0.4-1 by 0.8-1.3 mm, slightly hairy outside, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.3 mm high; anthers 0.2-0.3 by 0.2-0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers 5-9.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.4(-7 in fruit) mm long, hirsute; calyx lobes 3 smaller, 2.2-2.5 by 1.4-1.8 (to 5.8 by 3.8 in fruit) mm, 3 larger ones 3.2-4.3 by c. 2.2 (to 9.2 by 4.5 in fruit) mm, outside hairy; ovary 1-1.1 by 1.3-1.5 mm; stigmas c. 1.4 mm long, horizontal. Fruits ovoid, 5-8 by 5-8 mmm without an apical ridge around the stigmas; column c. 2.5 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in section, c. 5 by 2.7 by 2.7 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Sukhothai, Nakhon Sawan; NORTH-EASTERN: Phetchabun, Loei, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen; EASTERN: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani; SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan; CENTRAL: Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom; SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri, Chon Buri.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Laos, Thailand, Cambodia (lectotype).

(dots; Sauropus heteroblastus Airy Shaw: stars)

    E c o l o g y.— (Open) deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, bamboo forest, secondary growths, grassy (buffalo grazing) ground, waste land; along railways and roads; soil: sand, clayey soil with as bedrock limestone, shale, or granite, once recorded from silty soil. Altitude: 50-700 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Kongkoi lot khon (กองกอยลอดขอน) (Central); kom koi (ก่อมก้อย) (Phetchabun); tai bai (ใต้ใบ), phak wan nok (ผักหวานนก) (Kanchanaburi); ra ngap manut (ระงับมุนษย์) (Peninsular).

    N o t e.— Put 1829 (Kanchanaburi, Sai Yok) is (sub)glabrous, this is the only exceptional form found.

13. Sauropus kerrii Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 52. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 336. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 357, map 10. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 539. 2007.

Minute shrublets, up to 35 cm high, glabrous, branches without asperities, with 2 or 4 indistinct ribs. Stipules triangular, 0.7-2.2 by 0.3-0.8 mm. Leaves: petiole c. 1 mm long, flat above; blade obovate, 5.2-12 by 3-7 mm, length/width 1.3-1.7, pergamentaceous, base rounded to cuneate, margin flat to revolute, apex truncate to round, mucronulate, green above, somewhat shiny, whitish green underneath; venation indistinct, nerves 4-6. Flowers axillary, in small fascicles (staminate) or single (pistillate), plants with one sexe only, white. Staminate flowers 2.6-3.2 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.1-4.2 mm; calyx 1 mm high, lobes either folded inside and grown together with raised midrib, emarginate, 0.6-0.8 by 1-1.1 mm, or somewhat involute, obovate, 0.6-1.2 by 1-1.2 mm, all without scales; stamens: androphore 0.5-1 mm long, anthers erect, 0.7-0.9 by c. 0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers 5-6.8(-12.5 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1-1.5 mm long; sepals obovate, 1.3-2 by 1.8-2.8 mm; ovary spindle shaped, c. 1 by 2 mm; stigmas erect, 1.8-2.1 mm long, split halfway. Fruits flattened, circular, c. 7 by 3.5 mm, apically without or with rim around persistent stigmas; column not seen, probably breaking off completely. Seeds triangular in transverse section, c. 3.2 by 3 by 2.5 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Tak; EASTERN: Surin (Kapcherng), Si Sa Ket (Chong Bat Lak, Kantharom), Ubon Ratchathani (Ban Maung, Chiet). A seemingly disjunct distribution.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Chiet, Ubon Ratchatani, KERR 21541, holo in K, iso in BK, L).

(stars; S. granulosus Airy Shaw: dots; S. pulchellus Airy Shaw: diamonds)

    E c o l o g y.— Deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, open savannah, on poor gravelly or sandy soil. Altitude: 100-600 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Ya hun hai (หญ้าฮุ่นไฮ) (Lamphun).

    N o t e.— The specimen from Tak (Northern) had a rim on the fruit, while this was absent in a specimen from the Eastern part of Thailand.

14. Sauropus macranthus Hassk., Retzia 1: 166. 1855; Müll.Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 240. 1866; Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 471. 1963; Airy Shaw, Dansk Bot. Arkiv 25: 34, fig. 13. 1967; Kew Bull. 26: 336. 1972; Kew Bull. Add. Ser. 4: 193. 1975; Welzen, Blumea 48: 358, fig. 3b, map 12. 2003in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 540, Fig. 75B. 2007.— Sauropus spectabilis Miq., Sum.: 446. 1860.— Sauropus macrophyllus Hook.f., Fl. Birt. Ind. 5: 334, pro parte. 1887.— Sauropus forcipatus Hook.f., Fl. Birt. Ind. 5: 334. 1887.— Glochidion umbratile Maiden & Betche, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 30: 370. 1905.— Sauropus robinsonii Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 7: 407. 1912.— Sauropus grandifolius Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV.147.xv: 220. 1922.— Sauropus wichurae Müll.Arg. ex Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV.147.xv: 222. 1922.— Sauropus longipedicellatus Merr., Sunyatsenia 2: 34. 1934.

Shrubs to trees, up to 5 m high, glabrous; branches with 2 ribs, often indistinct. Stipules triangular, 4.3-8.5 by 2-2.5 mm, basally eared, dark brown when dry with yellowish margin, stiff, breaking off easily. Leaves: petiole 3-5 mm long, cracked when dry, flattened above, pulvinate; blade ovate (to elliptic), 8.2-20 by 3.4-8.2 cm, length/width ratio 2.2-2.9, papery, base broadly cuneate, margin flat, apex (gradually) cuspidate, mucronulate, glossy green above, bright light green underneath; venation distinct on both sides, nerves 8-12. Flowers axillary, single or in small fascicles, red. Staminate flowers 3.3-4 mm in diameter; pedicel 7.5-11 mm long; calyx flat, lobes triangular, 0.8-1.2 by 1-1.6 mm, apex rounded to emarginate, scales low; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 7-12 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.5-6.3 cm long; calyx lobes thick, 3 smaller, ± square to ovate, 2.2-3 by 2.3-3 mm; larger ones elliptic, 3-5.3 by 2.2-3 mm; ovary bell-shaped to ellipsoid, 2-2.5 by 2.2-3 mm, stamens horizontal, c. 2 mm long, upper ²/₃^rd split, thick, curled, 2-folded rib on united part. Fruits flattened globose, 19-20 by 10-13 mm, pink to red, wall thin; column c. 9 mm long, tapering towards the apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, c. 10.5 by 8 by 6 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Chiang Dao), Chiang Rai (Doi Tung); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Khao Yai, Lieuw Long), Ratchaburi (Khao Luang); PENINSULAR: Phuket (Panon Bencha).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— N.E. India to S. China, S.E. Asia and throughout Malesia (Java: type) to N. Australia.

    E c o l o g y.— Evergreen forest (with much Bamboo) to low brushwood, usually in shaded places, along rivulets; soil: limestone. Altitude: 400-2000 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom khao (มะยมเขา) (General).

15. Sauropus orbicularis Craib, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew: 284. 1914; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 45. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 336. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 360, map 13. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 540. 2007.— Sauropus orbicularis Craib var. minor Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 45. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 337. 1972.— Sauropus siamensis Chakrab. & M.Gangop., J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 19: 452, fig. 2. 1995.

Woody herbs to small shrubs, up to 1 m high, glabrous, branches with 4 ridges, latter without asperities. Stipules triangular to falcate, 0.7-1.2 by 0.5-0.8 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.4-1.5 mm long; blade (elliptic to) obovate to almost orbicular, 0.6-3 by 0.35-1.8 cm, length/width ratio 1.2-2, papery to pergamentaceous, base cuneate to attenuate, margin flat to somewhat revolute, apex rounded to acute, mucronulate, upper surface dark green, usually silica filled cells on top of venation well visible, lower surface light greenish-greyish; venation very distinct, 5 or 6 nerves. Flowers axillary, light yellow (to deep purple), single or few together in fascicles of both sexes. Staminate flowers 1.8-2.3 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.3-5.2 mm long; calyx flat, lobes hardly distinguishable, 0.2-0.4 by 0.7-1 mm, slightly lobed with rounded apices, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high, anthers c. 0.2 by 0.2 mm. Pistillate flowers 3-4.3(-7 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1.3-2.2 mm long; calyx lobes spade-like, 1.2-1.4(-2 in fruit) by 1.2-1.7(-2.3 in fruit) mm; ovary obpyramidal, c. 0.7 by 1.4 mm; stigmas flat, up to 1 mm long, becoming erect in fruit, split in upper third. Fruits ovoid, 6-6.5 by c. 5 mm; column c. 2 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in section, c. 3.5 by 2.2 by 2.3 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Ban Pong Noi, Doi Saget, Doi Suthep, Mae Doop Reservoir, Mae Klong Waterfall), Chiang Rai (Ban Maipattana), Lamphun (Doi Ma Takian, Mae Haht), Lampang (Doi Palat, Chae Son, Mae Mawh), Tak (Doi Ka); SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani (Huai Kha Khaeng), Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi (Huai Sai Royal Project, Luke Chang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Khao Yai).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Mae Teng, Doi Inthanon, KERR 2946, holo in K).

    E c o l o g y.— Mainly in secondary deciduous forest of dry dipterocarp forest, also in secondary scrub with much bamboo, on dikes along rice fields, or in grass in open forest, along forest margins and streamlets; granite or limestone bedrock. Altitude 50-700 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Kwang khao yi (กวางเขายี) (Lamphun); klam phi (กล่ำผี) (Ratchaburi).

    N o t e s.— 1. Variety minor could not be maintained, there is a gradual transition from large-leaved specimens in Chiang Mai (Northern) to small leaved specimens in Prachuap Khiri Khan (South-western).

    2. Very similar to S. quadrangularis but differing in the leaves which dry greenish instead of brownish, the silica holding cells around the veins, which are raised after drying (veins flat in S. quadrangularis), the hardly lobed staminate calices and the flat stigmas in the pistillate flowers (more deeply lobed staminate calices and erect stigmas in S. quadrangularis).

16. Sauropus poomae Welzen & Chayamarit [ex Smitinand, Thai plant names, rev. ed.: 468. July 2001, nom. nud.] Kew Bull. 56: 653, fig. 3. 2001; Welzen, Blumea 48: 363, fig. 7, map 14. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 541, Fig. 77, Plate XXVIII: 2. 2007.

Undershrubs, up to 50 cm high, creeping, glabrous, stem apically with dense groups of stipules and scars of branches; branches terete, cauliflorous. Stipules triangular, basally eared, 2.2-3.5 by 2-3.5 mm, stiff, recurved, breaking off. Leaves: petiole 2-3 mm long, flattened above; blade ovate to triangular, 3.7-7.3 by 2.6-4.6 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-1.6, papery, base truncate, margin flat to recurved, apex acute, often mucronulate, venation especially visible above, nerves 9-11. Inflorescences ramiflorous racemes, single or groups, up to 11 cm long, not branching, with per node several staminate and one pistillate flower. Flowers reddish brown to dark purple. Staminate flowers 1.6-2.3 mm in diameter; pedicel 5.5-6 mm long; calyx flat, hardly lobed, lobes 0.2-0.4 by 0.5-1.5 mm, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.3 mm high, anthers 0.4-0.5 by c. 0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers 3-4 mm in diameter; pedicel 0.8-1 mm long; calyx lobes ovate to round, 1.2-1.6 by 1-1.6 mm, thick, spreading; ovary widely bell-shaped, 0.8-1 by 1.1-1.7 mm; styles horizontal. Fruits unknown.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Rai (Doi Tung).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Doi Tung, Chiang Rai, POOMA, MAURIC & GREIJMANS 1470, holo in BKF).

(dots; S. subterblancus: diamonds; S. thyrsiflorus: triangles)

    E c o l o g y.— In shade of montane forest, creeping over rugged limestone, common. Altitude: 1250-1300 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Dok tai ton (ดอกใต้ต้น) (General).

    N o t e.— Named after the collector of both specimens, Rachun Pooma (BKF herbarium).

17. Sauropus pulchellus Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 54. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 337. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 364, map 10. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 543. 2007.

Small shrubs, up to 40 cm high, branches glabrous, without asperiteis, with 2 or 4 raised ribs. Stipules triangular to basally eared, c. 1 by 0.3-0.8 mm. Leaves: petiole c. 1 mm long, pulvinate; blade obovate, 7-26 by 5-10.5 mm, length/width ratio 2-2.5, chartaceous, drying greenish, smooth, base rounded, margin flat, apex rounded, shortly mucronulate, glaucous below, venation strongly raised on both sides, tertiary venation partly visible, nerves 5-8, basal nerve ending far below middle. Flowers axillary, in small fascicles (staminate) or single (pistillate). Staminate flowers 2-3 mm in diameter; pedicel 1.5-2.3 mm long; calyx campanulate, hardly lobed, lobes obovate, 3 inflexed, grown with raised midrib, c. 0.3 by 0.7 mm, larger ones c. 0.7 by 0.9, top rounded to emarginate, thick or hooded, no scales; stamens: androphore 0.7-0.9 mm long; stamens erect, appearing grown together but free, c. 0.7-0.8 by 0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers 2.7-4 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 1 mm long; calyx lobes obovate, 1.3-3 by 1-1.5 mm; ovary bell-shaped, 1.5-2 by 1.8-2.8 mm; stigmas erect, 1-1.5 mm long, apical c. 0.4 mm split, spreading and inrolled. Fruits depressed globose, c. 5 by 5 mm, apically with raised rim around persistent stigmas. Seeds triangular in transverse section, 3-4 by 2-3 by 2-3 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima (Tha Chang); SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri (Aranyaprathet).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Ta Chang, Nakhon Ratchasima, KERR 20472, holo in K, iso in BK).

(diamonds; S. granulosus Airy Shaw: dots; S. kerrii Airy Shaw: stars)

    E c o l o g y.— Open deciduous forest. Altitude: 50-200 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Sano hin (โสนหิน) (Prachin Buri).

    N o t e.— Strongly resembles S. granulosus, but the veins are indeed very obvious, raised on both sides, even the greater part of the tertiary venation is visible. Moreover, the calyx of the staminate flowers is hardly lobed.

18. Sauropus quadrangularis (Willd.) Müll.Arg., Linnaea 32: 73. 1863; in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 242. 1866; Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 5: 335. 1887; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 337. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 364, fig. 3c, map 15. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 543, Fig. 78. 2007.— Phyllanthus quadrangularis Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 585. 1805.— Phyllanthus rhamnoides Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 663. 1832, nom. illeg., non Willd.— Ceratogynum rhamnoides Roxb. ex Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 5: t. 1900. 1852.— Sauropus ceratogynum (Roxb. ex Wight) Baill., Étude Euphorb.: 635. 1858.— Phyllanthus leschenaultii Müll.Arg. var. tenellus Wall. ex Müll.Arg., Linnaea 32: 38. 1863.— Sauropus rigidus Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl.: 284. 1864.— Sauropus compressus Müll.Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 243. 1866.— Sauropus quadrangularis (Willd.) Müll.Arg. var. puberulus Kurz, Forest Fl. Burma 2: 350. 1877.— Sauropus pubescens Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 335. 1887.— Aalius ceratogynus (Roxb. ex Wight) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 591. 1891 (‘ceratogynum’).— Aalius compressus (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 591. 1891 (‘compressa’).— Aalius pubescens (Hook.f.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 591. 1891.— Aalius quadrangularis (Willd.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 591. 1891.— Sauropus concinnus Collett & Hemsl., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 28: 123, pl. 18. 1891.— Sauropus quadrangularis (Willd.) Müll.Arg. var. compressus (Müll.Arg.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 337. 1972.— Sauropus compressus Müll.Arg. var. compressus: Chakrab. & M.G.Gangop., J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 20: 526, fig. 4. 1996.— Sauropus compressus Müll.Arg. var. puberulus (Kurz) Chakrab. & M.G.Gangop., J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 20: 528. 1996.— Sauropus quadrangularis (Willd.) Müll.Arg. var. quadrangularis: Smitinand, Thai Pl. Names. Rev. Ed.: 467. 2001.

Woody herbs to small shrubs, up to 2 m high, branches glabrous to hirsute with 2 or 4 raised ribs, ribs without asperities, most parts often tinged red, never smelling of fenugreek. Stipules triangular to sometimes strongly falcate, 1-2.7 by 0.7-1.2(-3.5 when falcate) mm, glabrous to subhirsute. Leaves: petiole 1.2-1.3 mm long, glabrous to hirsute; blade elliptic to obovate, 0.6-4.1 by 0.5-1.8 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-2.3, papery to chartaceous, base often slightly oblique and asymmetric, rounded to cuneate, margin often revolute, apex slightly emarginate to rounded, often mucronulate, green above, grey-green beneath, subglabrous to densely hairy on both sides; nerves c. 6, distinct, rest venation flat to hardly raised above. Flowers in small axillary fascicles with both sexes, yellow to deep red. Staminate flowers 2.4-3.7 mm in diameter, glabrous; pedicel 3.5-6 mm long; calyx flat, lobes heart-shaped, 0.7-1.2 by 0.8-1.6, apices rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.3 mm long, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 2.7-5.3 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.3-4.3 mm long, glabrous to hairy; calyx lobes 1.2-2.5 by 1.5-2.2 mm, apex spade-like, glabrous to hairy outside; ovary c. 1 by 1.7 mm; stigmas (seldom flat to) erect, c. 0.5 mm high, upper 0.5 mm curled. Fruits ovoid, 5-5.5 by c. 4 mm, rather woody when dry, apically with raised, lobed rim around stigmas; column c. 2 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, c. 3.5 by 2 by 2 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Tak, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan; NORTH-EASTERN: Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen; EASTERN: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram; SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan; CENTRAL: Saraburi; SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri, Chon Buri; PENINSULAR: Surat Thani.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— India (type), Nepal, China (Yunnan), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.

    E c o l o g y.— Usually in strongly disturbed places in deciduous scrub, (dry) evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp(-pine) forest, (bamboo-)deciduous forest, often in open, (regularly burned and/or grazed) grassy or rocky places, rocky dipterocarp savannah, dense bamboo thickets, sometimes common along streams, margins of forest, along roads; soil: sand, loam, limestone on laterite, rocks with granite, shale or sandstone bedrock; once recorded from silty soil. Altitude: 5—2100 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom kliang (มะยมเกลี้ยง), mayom lamun (มะยมละมุน) (General); makham pom din (มะขามป้อมดิน) (Chiang Mai); mayom thuean (มะยมเถื่อน) (Nakhon Sawan).

    N o t e s.— 1. Sauropus quardrangularis strongly resembles all other small-leaved Thai species. The most distinctive character are the erect stigmas (horizontal in all other species), surrounded, especially in fruit, by a lobed rim of the ovary (stigmas in a depression like often in Breynia is the case).

    2. Three varieties were described: compressus, puberulus, and quadrangularis. The differences between the varieties are only slight, and it is often a matter of taste under which name specimens are identified. Seemingly, the so-called varieties also grow together (see remark of Airy Shaw, 1972). Therefore, all varieties are united and not recognised The species is variable: The degree of hairiness varies between glabrous to densely hirsute, also the compression of the branches varies between almost flat to four-cornered. Furthermore, the thickness of the leaves is very variable and the colour of the flowers varies between red and usually yellow. Also variable is the size and especially the apical indentation of the sepal lobes, the apex can vary between rounded to V-shaped.

19. Sauropus rhamnoides Blume, Bijdr.: 596. 1825; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. Add. Ser. 4: 194. 1975; Kew Bull. 32: 81. 1977; Welzen, Blumea 48: 367, fig. 1b, c, 3a, 8; map 16. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 546, Fig. 72B, 75A, 79. 2007.

Shrubs to trees, up to 4 m high, glabrous, without asperities; young branches with 2 ribs. Stipules triangular 2.5-3.5 by 1-1.5 mm. Leaves: petiole 3-4 mm long, flattened and grooved along midrib above; blade ovate, 3.6-13 by 2.3-5 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-2.6, papery, base cuneate to somewhat oblique, margin flat to recurved, apex suddenly smaller with 2 sinuses, acuminate to cuspidate, often mucronulate, dark green above, pale light green underneath; venation well-visible on both sides, nerves 7-10. Flowers in small axillary fascicles or (especially staminate ones) along short, up to 5 mm long inflorescences, greenish yellow to reddish. Staminate flowers 5-7.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 6.2-10.5 mm long; calyx flat, not (Peninsular) to lobed (South-eastern), lobes 1-1.6 by 1.5-2.3 mm, apex entire, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.1-0.4 mm long, anthers 0.3-0.5 by 0.3-0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers 7.5-9.5(-14.5 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 7.5-20 mm; calyx lobes thick, ovate to obovate, often remaining erect, smaller inner ones 2.2-4.5 by 1-3 mm, larger outer ones 3-7 by 1.8-4 mm; ovary bell-shaped, 1.8-3.6 by 1.5-2.7 mm; stigmas 1.3-2.3 mm long, thick, upper half curved, forming more than a complete circle. Fruits ellipsoid to obovoid, inflated, somewhat fleshy, 18-31 by 14-23 mm, white to pale yellow; column 17-19 mm long, in upper ²/₃^rd with heart-shaped remnants of septae. Seeds triangular in section, strongly hollow on inside, c. 11 by 6 by 5.5 mm, blackish.

    T h a i l a n d.— SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi (Khao Sabap, Khao Soi Dao, Lam Sing, Makam, Nam Tok Taka Mao); PENINSULAR: Songkhla (Klong Samong), Phatthalung (Tamote Falls), Trang (Khao Chong), Narathiwat (Waeng).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Thailand, Philippines, Borneo, Java (type).

    E c o l o g y.— Evergreen forest, hill dipterocarp forest, often in rocky areas along rivers; soil: granitic or acid bedrock. Altitude: 50-400 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom liam (มะยมเหลี่ยม) (General).

    N o t e.— Airy Shaw (1977) tentatively added Thailand to the distribution of S. rhamnoides. The differences between S. rhamnoides and S. androgynus are small, mainly in sizes and the gaps between these sizes differ per area. The pistallate calyx of S. rhamnoides is thicker, and the stigmas longer, making a full circle (or more), also the leaf shape is different, in S. androgynus without (or at most indistinctly) a sinus near the apex (leaves gradually tapering towards the apex), in S. rhamnoides (and S. garrettii) with two very distinct sinuses (leaves suddenly narrowing towards the apex). The S. rhamonoides specimens from the South-east were formerly referred to S. garrettii, but this species has smaller fruits, small asperities on stem and leaf petiole and is restricted to the north of Thailand. The specimens from the Peninsula and the South-east differ somewhat, the staminate calyx in the South-east is stronger lobed and the pistillate calyx lobes are not spreading.

20. Sauropus rostratus Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. Suppl. 1: 179, 447. 1861; Müll.Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15, 2: 243. 1866; Pax & K.Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenr. VI.147.xv: 225. 1922; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 55. 1969; Kew Bull. 36: 343. 1981; Welzen, Blumea 48: 370, map 17. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 546. 2007.— Aalius rostratus (Miq.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 591. 1891.— Sauropus temii Welzen & Chayamarit [ex Smitinand, Thai plant names, rev. ed.: 468. 2001, nom. nud.], Kew Bull. 56: 654. 2001.

Shrub, up to 60 cm tall, glabrous; young branches with 2 broad rims, many asperities between rims. Stipules triangular, 1-2.2 by 0.7-1.2 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.3-2 mm long, with asperities; blade ovate (to elliptic), 2.9-7 by 0.9-2.6 cm, length/width ratio 1.9-3.2, chartaceous, base broadly cuneate, margin flat to revolute, apex gradually acute, mucronulate, drying greyish above, brownish or greenish below, venation indistinct, midrib sharply raised above, nerves 7-9, basal one ending far below middle. Flowers single or in small fascicless, both sexes flowering at same time, green. Staminate flowers 2-2.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 1.2-2 mm long; calyx campanulate, rather small, without scales, 3 lobes folded inwards and apex grown together with raised midrib, 0.5-0.7 by 1.2-1.5 mm, other 3 lobes with incurved apex, 0.5-0.7 by 0.3-0.7 mm; stamens: androphore c. 0.7 mm long, anthers erect, c 1 by 0.8 mm. Pistillate flowers 2.5-5(-8 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1-2 mm long; calyx cupular, hardly lobed, smaller three lobes 0.5-2 by 1-3 mm, larger three lobes 0.8-2.7 by 1.5-5.5 mm, apex spade-like; ovary bell-shaped with flat apex on which 3 rims between stigmas, 1-1.5 by 1.2-2 mm; stigmas erect, apically recurved. Fruit ellipsoid, wider than high, c. 6 by 3.7 mm; column broadly triangular, c. 0.5 mm high. Seeds triangular in transverse section, half-moon-shaped, c. 3.3 by 2.4 by 2.8 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— PENINSULAR: Surat Thani (Bang Bao).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Thailand (type of S. temii: Bang Bao, Surat Thani, SMITINAND 2877, holo BKF), Sumatra (type), Borneo.

    E c o l o g y.— Scattered in evergreen forest. Altitude under 100 m.

21. Sauropus similis Craib, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew: 457. 1911; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 46. 1969; Kew Bull., 26: 338. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 372, map 18. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 548. 2007.

(Under)shrubs, up to 3 m high, glabrous; branches with 4 ribs, often with rows of small asperities along them. Stipules triangular to basally eared to falcate, 1-1.5 by 0.4-1.7 mm. Leaves: petiole 1.2-2 mm long; blade ovate, 0.7-3.7 by 0.5-1.9 cm, length/width ratio 1.4-2, (papery to) chartaceous, base emarginate to cuneate, margin flat to revolute, on upper surface with c. 1 mm wide band of small asperities, apex rounded, mucronulate, upper surface with lighter midrib above, lighter below, midrib often with small asperities; nerves 5-8. Flowers yellow to red, mainly single (pistillate) or in small fascicles (staminate). Staminate flowers 4.2-4.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 4.9-6 mm long; calyx flat, lobes 0.4-0.7 by 1.6-2.3 mm, apex entire, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm high, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers 3.6-8.2(-12.5 fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 1.5-3.7 mm long; calyx lobes spade-like, 1-2.1 by 1-3.3(-6 fruit) mm; ovary 0.5-0.7 by 1.3-2 mm; stigmas flat, up to 1 mm long, cleft till halfway. Fruits ovoid, c. 5.5 by 3.5-4.2 mm, apically with low rim, crater among stigmas; column 1.2-1.7 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, 3-3.3 by 2.1-2.3 by 2.4-2.6 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Suthep, Mae Sa Botanical Garden), Tak (Huai Krasa); EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima (Pak Thong Chai); CENTRAL: Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai); SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri (Khao Yai).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand.

    E c o l o g y.— Dry evergreen forest, deciduous oak forest, often in very disturbed places like sunny roadsides, open grassland, among bamboo, along streams; soil: clayey, granite bedrock. Altitude: 100-1020 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom lamai (มะยมละม้าย) (General).

22. Sauropus spatuliifolius Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 652. 1927; Welzen, Blumea 48: 373. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 549, Fig. 80. 2007.

Succulent shrubs, up to c. 40 cm high, branches decumbent and often branching on ground, grey-greenish, glabrous; rootstock woody; branches without ribs, strongly longitudinally fissured, not corky. Stipules triangular, 5-6 by c. 4 mm, pergamentaceous. Leaves: petiole 2-4.5 mm long, flattened above, pulvinate, with small asperities; blade obovate, 7.6-13 by 2.2-3.8 cm, length/width ratio 3.4-3.5, pergamentaceous, base rounded, margin flat with some small asperities, apex emarginate with long mucron, bending from lower surface upwards, midrib often with asperities, mottled dark green and greenish above, light green underneath; venation raised on both sides, nerves 9 or 10. Flowers ramiflorous, on the stem, dark red. Staminate flowers c. 3.3 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 4 mm long; calyx lobes triangular to strap-like, 1-1.1 by c. 1 mm, inflexed, apex entire, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.3 mm long, anthers c. 0.3 by 0.3 mm. Pistillate flowers 4-4.8(-6 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 0.3-1 mm long; sepals free, obovate, spathulate, clawed, 2-2.5 by 1.2-1.8 mm, claw c. 0.6 mm long; ovary bell-shaped, c. 0.8 by 0.7-0.8 mm, stigmas flat, up to 0.7 mm long, split till halfway. Fruits globose, c. 7 by 5.5 mm, very wrinkeled when dry; column not seen. Seeds not seen.

    T h a i l a n d.— Known from two cultivated collections: NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai University); CENTRAL: Bangkok (Bangkhen).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Vietnam (type).

    E c o l o g y.— Cultivated in open, herbal gardens. Altitude: 300 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom bai pai (มะยมใบพาย) (Central); a-che-chao (อะจีเจ้า) (Chinese) (Central).

    U s e s.— Seemingly used in Chinese medicine.

    N o t e.— Very distinct species with its ramiflorous flowers, very large stiff stipules, free, spathulate pistillate sepals, and globose, wrinkled fruits.

23. Sauropus suberosus Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 42. 1969; Kew Bull. 25: 500. 1971; Kew Bull. 26: 338. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 375, map 20. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 549. 2007.

Shrubs, up to 4 m high, glabrous except for inflorescence; stems without ribs, round, smooth when young, older branches with thick, often longitudinally fissured, soft, thick cork. Stipules triangular, 3.5-6 by 1.2-4, basally eared, very thick, light margin, stiff, easily breaking off. Leaves: petiole 2-4 mm long, flattened dorsoventrally; blade elliptic to obovate, 7.7-24.2 by 2.6-6.7 cm, length/width ratio 3-3.6, papery, base cuneate, margin flat to revolute, apex acute to cuspidate, often mucronulate, venation relatively distinct on both sides, nerves 12 or 13. Inflorescences cauliflorous in lower part of stem, up to 41 cm long, not branching, slightly hairy, 4-ribbed or somewhat flattened, with groups of flowers of which one or two pistillate. Flowers dark purplish or yellowish. Staminate flowers 3.7-4 mm in diameter; pedicel up to 5.5 mm long; calyx lobes 0.8-1 by 1-1.6 mm, rounded, scales present; stamens: androphore c. 0.2 mm long, anthers 0.4-0.5 by 0.4-0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers 4.3-7.7 mm in diameter; pedicel 2.5-4.5 mm long, glabrous to hairy; calyx lobes thick, mostly obovate, smaller outer ones 1.2-2.5 by 2.1-4 mm, inner larger ones 1.5-3 by 2-4.2 mm; ovary 1.1-1.8 by 1.1-2 mm; stigmas 1-1.3 mm long, flat, split in upper half. Fruits unknown.

    T h a i l a n d.— PENINSULAR: Surat Thani (Khao Sok), Trang (Khao Chong).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— S. Thailand (type: Khao Thong Lang, NW of Nai Chong, Trang?, HANSEN & SMITINAND 12030, holo in K, iso in L), Peninsular Malaysia.

(dots; Sauropus thorelii Beille: squares)

    E c o l o g y.— Thicket in moist, evergreen forest on mountain ridge; soil: probably usually limestone. Altitude: 80-800 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Mayom yak (มะยมหยัก) (Peninsular).

24. Sauropus subterblancus (C.E.C.Fisch.) Welzen, Blumea 46: 504. 2001; Blumea 48: 377, map 14. 2003;in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 551. 2007.— Glochidion subterblancum C.E.C.Fisch., Bull. Misc. Inform.: 211. 1927.— Breynia subterblancum (C.E.C.Fisch.) C.E.C.Fisch., Bull. Misc. Inform.: 98. 1939.

Low shrubs, up to 70 cm high, glabrous; only very young branches with 2 ribs. Stipules triangular, 1.3-1.4 by 0.9-1 mm, basally eared, stiff, rather persistent. Leaves: petiole 2-2.5 mm long, some asperities above; blade ovate, 3.5-7.5 by 2-4.1 cm, length/width ratio 1.7-1.9, coriaceous, base attenuate, margin entire, somewhat revolute, apex acute, mucronulate, glaucous when dry; nerves 6-8. Flowers single in axillary fascicles, staminate ones lower on the branches; flowers pale green. Staminate flowers c. 3.5 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 2 mm long; calyx campanulate, c. 1.7 mm high, scales absent, smaller sepals c. 1 by 2 mm, apex rounded, involute, larger ones c. 1 by 1.3 mm, emarginate, apex inflexed and grown with blade; stamens: androphore c. 1 mm long, yellow, anthers c. 1.2 by 1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers 5(-10.5 in fruit) mm in diameter; pedicel 2.5-3 mm; calyx lobes obovate, rounded, small ones c. 2 by 1.1 (to 2 by 3 in fruit) mm, larger ones c. 2.3 by 1.3 (to 2 by 6 in fruit) mm; ovary not measured; stigmas erect, basal to each stigma two fleshy, erect ovary lobes. Fruits ovoid, c. 7 by 5 mm, apically with rim formed by thickened apical ovary lobes; column not seen. Seeds not seen.

    T h a i l a n d.— PENINSULAR: Ranong.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Myanmar (S. Tenasserim, type) and Thailand.

(diamonds; S. poomae: dots; S. thyrsiflorus: triangles)

    E c o l o g y.— Evergreen forest. Altitude: 50-70 m.

    N o t e.— Sauropus subterblancus has been mistaken for a Breynia and a Glochidion, but clearly belongs to the Hemisauropus group in Sauropus (3 large, almost erect stamens, inner staminate sepals inflexed with apex grown together with rest of blade, and fleshy extensions of the ovary next to the stigmas, erect stigmas which are hardly coiled and clearly papillate above).

25. Sauropus thorelii Beille in M.H.Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5: 649, fig. 76: 6-14. 1927; Smitinand, Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 2: 14. 1955; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 338. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 377, map 20. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 551. 2007.

Shrubs, up to 1.5 m high, glabrous; young branches with 2 or 4 ribs. Stipules triangular, 1.5-2.5 by 0.5-1.2 mm. Leaves: petiole 2-2.3 mm long, flattened above; blades ovate, 2.6-10.1 by 1.2-2.2 cm, length/width ratio 2.2-5.3, papery, base obtuse, margin flat to somewhat revolute, apex acute, mucronulate, venation distinct on both sides, nerves (6-)12 or 13. Inflorescences ramiflorous, up to 2 cm long branching racemes with mixed flowers. Flowers red, strongly scented. Staminate flowers 6-7.5 mm in diameter; pedicel 5.5-7.5 mm long, calyx lobes almost completely free, strap-like, 1.8-2.5 by 1.1-1.6 mm, apex emarginate, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.2-0.7 mm long, anthers c. 0.4 by 0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers c. 6 mm in diameter; pedicel 2-2.5(-7 in fruit) mm long; calyx lobes almost completely free, thick, outer ones elliptic to obovate, 2.2-3.5 by 1.2-2 mm, inner ones ovate, 1.1-1.2 by 1.2-1.5 mm; stigmas up to 1.2 mm long, erect, split and somewhat curved in upper half. Fruits c. 7 by 4 mm, with rows of asperities when young (Beille, 1927).

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Mae Hong Son (Mae Sariang), Chiang Mai (Doi Saket). Cultivated.

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Thailand (cultivated), Laos.

(squares; Sauropus suberosus Airy Shaw: dots)

    E c o l o g y.— Cultivated; young shoots edible.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Saliam hom (สะเลียมหอม) (Mae Hong Son); khai khom (ไค้ขม) (Northern).

    U s e s.— Leaves edible, bitter.

26. Sauropus thyrsiflorus Welzen, Blumea 46: 503, fig. 2. 2001; Blumea 48: 379, fig. 9, map 14. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 552, Fig. 81. 2007.

Treelets up to 3 m tall, glabrous, rather smooth, young branches without ribs; bark not corky. Stipules triangular, 6.5-8 by 1.7-3 mm, basally eared. Leaves: petiole 4-5 mm long; blades elliptic, 6.5-26 by 2.7-8 cm, length/width ratio 2-3.7, papery, base attenuate to cuneate, margin flat, apex acuminate to cuspidate, mucronulate, upper surface dark green, glossy; lower surface light green, nerves 10-12. Inflorescences cauliflorous to ramiflorous, thyrsoid, not branching, up to 12-51 cm long, rachis dull dark pink, with per node a single pistillate flower and cymose branches with staminate flowers, up to 5 mm long. Staminate flowers 6-7 mm in diameter; pedicel c. 5.5 mm long; calyx lobes triangular, 2-2.2 by 1.5-2.1 mm, basally dull red inside, apex acute, scales present; stamens: androphore 0.2-0.3 mm high, connectives dull light pinkish, anthers c. 0.4 by 0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers 11-12 mm in diameter; pedicel 3-6 mm long; calyx lobes elliptic, thick, light greenish to yellow, outer lobes 5.5-6 by 3.3-4 mm, inner lobes 4.8-5.5 by 3.3-4 mm; ovary 1.2-2.3 by 1.8-2.7 mm, light yellowish to pale light pinkish; stigmas horizontal. Fruit c. 19 by 15 mm, rather woody, with 6 longitudinal ridges. Seeds crescent moon-shaped, sharply triangular in transverse section, c. 14 by 8 by 6 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— NORTHERN: Mae Hong son (Ban Dong), Nan (Tham Sakoen National Park), Lampang (Chae Son National Park); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Khaeo Noi Basin, Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Reserve).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Endemic in Thailand (type: Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Reserve, Ban Sanah Pawng area (Karen hilltribe village), Lai Wo Subdistr., Sangklaburi Distr., Kanchanaburi, MAXWELL 94-499, holo in L, iso in A).

(triangles; S. poomae: dots; S. subterblancus: diamonds)

    E c o l o g y.— Shaded areas in evergreen and deciduous hardwood forest; rugged limestone terrain. Altitude: 200-650 m.

    N o t e s.— The plants from Kanchanaburi have much shorter inflorescences, but these still seemed young and could easily have grown much longer. The leaves in Kanchanaburi are broader (length/width ratio up to c. 3), those in Lampang are narrower (ratio more than 3).

27. Sauropus villosus (Blanco) Merr., Contrib. Arn. Arb. 8: 86. 1934; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 49. 1969; Kew Bull. 26: 339. 1972; Welzen, Blumea 48: 380, map 21. 2003; in Welzen & Chayamarit, Fl. Thailand 8, 2: 552. 2007.— Kirganelia villosa Blanco, Fl. Filipp.: 712. 1837.— Phyllanthus pubescens Klotzsch, Nova Acta Leop.-Carol. Acad. Nat. Cur. 19, Suppl. 1: 420. 1843 (non S. pubescens Hook.f., 1887).— Glochidion llanosii Müll.Arg., Flora 48: 387. 1865.— Sauropus llanosii (Müll.Arg.) Gage, Rec. Bot. Surv. Ind. 9: 223. 1922.

Shrubs, up to 2 m tall; branches hirsute, round, without ridges. Stipules 2.1-4 by 0.2-0.5 mm, subhirsute. Leaves: petiole 1.2-2 mm, hairy; blade ovate, 1.2-6.5 by 0.8-1.9 cm, length/width ratio (1.5-)3.4, papery, base cuneate, margins often revolute, gradually tapering towards the apex, apex acute, often mucronulate, upper surface dark green, lower surface pale light green, sparsely to densely hairy on both sides; nerves 9-12, very distinct. Flowers in small axillary fascicles with both sexes. Staminate flowers 2.2-3 mm in diameter, yellow, glabrous except for a few hairs sometimes on the pedicel and calyx outside; pedicel 2.8-4 mm long; calyx flat, slightly lobed, lobes up to 1.2 by 0.4 mm, scales present; stamens erect, united along long side, androphore c. 0.2 mm long, pinkish, anhers c. 0.7 by 0.4 mm. Pistillate flowers c. 2 mm in diameter; pedicel 0.7-1(-2.5 in fruit) mm long, hairy; calyx lobes equal, 0.4-0.7 by c. 0.7 (in fruit up to 1.3 by 1.2) mm, yellow-green, hairy outside; ovary 0.7-1 by 0.8-0.9 mm, light green; stigmas 0.5-0.7 mm long, horizontal, yellow green. Fruits flattened ellipsoid, 8-9 by 4-5 mm, without rim on top, yellow to orangish; column 1.2-2 mm long, tapering towards apex. Seeds triangular in transverse section, 4.5-4.8 by 3-3.2 by 2.8-3.2 mm.

    T h a i l a n d.— SOUTH-EASTERN: Chon Buri (Siracha); PENINSULAR: Chumphon (Bang Son, Siep Yuan, Tongtapai), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Thachana, Yan Yao), Phuket (La-nga), Satun (Khao Nang Dam, Klong Pahn Yao, La-nga, Satun), Songkhla (Kuan Niang).

    D i s t r i b u t i o n.— Thailand, Vietnam, N. Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Philippines (type).

    E c o l o g y.— In savannah, open meadowz, former residential areaz, open thicketz, very disturbed placez, coconut plantationz, sometimes in evergreen forest; soil: sand. Altitude: 0-50 m.

    V e r n a c u l a r.— Ngap yai (งับไย้), tan ngan khao (ตานงันเขา) (Chumphon).