Chuniophoenix hainanensis Burret (1937: 583)

Henderson, Andrew, 2015, A revision of Chuniophoenix (Arecaceae), Phytotaxa 218 (2), pp. 163-170 : 164

1. Chuniophoenix hainanensis Burret (1937: 583) .

Lectotype (here designated): — CHINA. Hainan: Po Ting , 16 June 1935, F. How 72912 (lectotype, IBSC!, isolectotypes, A!, P!) (the holotype at B was destroyed) ( Fig. 1 ).

Stems clustered, 3.9(2.0–8.0) m tall and 6.8(6.0–8.0) cm diameter. Leaf sheaths split below the petiole to give a central cleft, winged along the margins, densely whitish-brown tomentose, the tomentum early deciduous; petioles length not recorded, tomentose as the sheaths; leaf blades divided into 24(20–28) segments, the central ones 54.4(26.7–67.0) cm long and 3.2(1.6–4.2) cm wide at the mid-point, the central ones briefly lobed at the apices, the lateral ones long acuminate at the apices. Inflorescences to 2 m long, branched to 3 orders; prophylls, peduncles, and rachises length not recorded; rachillae number not recorded, 18.4(16.0–22.0) cm long; staminate and pistillate flowers purple, 1–2 per bracteole. Fruits pedicellate, obovoid to pear-shaped, 17.1(16.7–17.6) mm long and 15.1(14.2–15.5) mm diameter, red, orange, or purple; seed surfaces shallowly grooved; endosperm ruminate.

Distribution and habitat:— China (Hainan) ( Fig. 2 ) in lowland rainforest on steep slopes at 610(500–750) m elevation.

Taxonomic notes:— Although not all localities on specimen labels have been found on maps, it seems that Chuniophoenix hainanensis is confined to only one mountain complex in Hainan, Diao Luo Shan.

Local names and uses:— qiong zong. No uses recorded.

Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Hainan: Diao Luo Shan , 18˚45’N, 109˚52’E, 600 m, 22 March 2006, Guo Lixiu et al. 142 ( NY, IBSC) ; Tianshuifenliu, Mt. Diaoluoshan , 16 November 1954, Diaoluoshan Expedition 2707 ( IBSC) ; same locality, no date, Diaoluoshan Expedition 2258 ( IBSC) ; Shijingchang, Mt. Diaoluoshan , Lingshui County, 4 September 1981, Fu Guoai 2645 ( IBSC) ; way to Baishuiling, Mt. Diaoluoshan , 15 May 1986, Li Zexian s.n. ( IBSC) ; Baishui Hill, Dali Mountain , Dali village , Chengo District , Qiongzhong County, 750 m, 7 December 1956, Liang Deng 3555 ( MO) ; Minai Hill , Ya County, 600 m, 25 April 1959, Lianze Chen 30027 ( MO) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Chuniophoenix hainanensis. A. Habit, Diao Luo Shan, Hainan (Guo et al. 142). B. Leaf sheaths showing split below petiole (cultivated, South China Botanical Garden).C. Staminate flowers, Diao Luo Shan, Hainan (Guo et al. 142). D.Fruits (cultivated, Singapore Botanical Garden).

FIGURE 2. Distribution maps. A. Chuniophoenix hainanensis (red dots). C. suoitienensis (blue square). B. C. nana (red dots).