Lepionurus sylvestris
Content
Description
Shrub, usually less than 2 m, rarely up to 6 m.
Leaves extremely variable in shape, (5.5-) 10-16 (-25) by (1.5-) 3-7 (-9) cm, ratio 2-4 (-10), widest above, at, or below the middle:
Flowers 3 per bract, on a tubercle, without bracteoles;
Stamens inserted below the margin of the disk, as long as the perianth tube;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Assam (Assam present); Borneo present (Kalimantan present, Sabah present, Sarawak present); East Himalaya (Sikkim present); Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Sumatera (Sumatera present); Thailand (Thailand present), Burma present, Central Java present, Nepal present, S. China present, S. Vietnam present, W. Java present
Nepal, Sikkim, Assam, Burma, S. China, Thailand, and S. Vietnam; in Malesia: Sumatra, Malay Peninsula (common), W. Java (common), rarely in Central Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan). .
Ecology
RAZI () mentioned Lepionurus in his list of phanerogamic parasites, but he does not give any evidence as proof of this statement.
Uses
In Peninsular Thailand the roots are locally used for a medicine against fever. In Pahang (Malaya) a poultice of the plant or of the root is applied for headache (BURKILL, 1935).
Notes
As already pointed out by VALETON () the leaves of L. sylvestris are extraordinarily variable in shape and size. Extremely narrow leaves (ratio about 10) are especially striking, but such forms occur sporadically in all parts of the range of the species next to plants with a more common leaf shape (Burma, Thailand, Malaya, Sumatra).
The number of inflorescences per axil is also very variable. Whereas in the greater part of the range 1-8 racemes are found, one third of the specimens from Assam show in part more than 10 racemes per axil.
The size of the flowers and the differentiation of the rim of the disk are variable as well. Since this variability is quite irregular it is impossible to distinguish varieties.
The number of inflorescences per axil is also very variable. Whereas in the greater part of the range 1-8 racemes are found, one third of the specimens from Assam show in part more than 10 racemes per axil.
The size of the flowers and the differentiation of the rim of the disk are variable as well. Since this variability is quite irregular it is impossible to distinguish varieties.
Citation
GAGNEP. 1911 – In: Fl. Gen. I.-C.: 806
Miq. 1856 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 784
Ridl. 1924 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen.: 173
BACK. & BAKH.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 67
GRIFF. 1854 – In: Ic. Pl. As.: pl. 536
Ridl. 1924 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen.: 172
KANJILAL C.S. 1936 – In: Fl. Assam: 250
Bl. 1925: p. 581. – In: Exk. Fl. Java: f. 863
King 1895 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 593
GRIFF. 1854 – In: Not. Pl. As.: 368
BURK. 1935: Dict.: 1353
BRANDIS 1906: Indian Trees: 150
Corner 1940: Ways. Trees: 515
GRIFF. 1844 – In: Flora: 435
BOERL. 1890 – In: Handl.: 210
VALET. 1886: Crit. Overz. Olacin.: 153
HIEPKO 1979 – In: Willdenowia: 29
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 170
KURZ 1877 – In: For. Fl. Burma: 330
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 170