Ilex forrestii Comber (1933: 46)

Hong, De-Yuan, 2015, A taxonomical revision of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) in the Pan-Himalaya and unraveling its distribution patterns, Phytotaxa 230 (2), pp. 151-171 : 159

8. Ilex forrestii Comber (1933: 46) . Type:— CHINA. Yunnan, Salween Valley , 28°12 ′ N, 3350–3660 m, Nov. 1917, G. Forrest 15047 (holotype: E; isotype: K)

Ilex forrestii var. glabra S.Y. Hu (1950: 256) , syn. nov. Type:— CHINA. Yunnan, (S Hengduan) Wei-si-hsien (Weixi CO), C.W. Wang

67743 (holotype: A [photo, K]; isotypes: KUN, PE). Ilex forrestii var. multiflora Comber (1933: 48) . Type:— CHINA. Sine loco, G. Forrest 30479 (holotype: E; isotype: E). Ilex wardii Merrill (1941: 102) , syn. nov. Type:— MYANMAR (Upper Burma). Adung Valley, 1830m, 06. Nov. 1931, F. Kingdon-Ward

9212 (holotype: A; isotype: BM).

Hu (1950 c) stated that I. wardii is closely related to I. forrestii , but the latter “differs in having larger subcoriaceous, subentire leaves ([5–] 8–9 [–11] × [1.5–] 3 [–3.5] vs. 2–9 × 1–3 cm) and large elliptic pyrenes (2 × 1 mm vs. 1.5 × 0.5 mm) with pointed ends.” The key to these two species, however, runs “leaves… 5–10 cm long, the lower half entire, the rest subentire, the lateral nerves 10–12 pairs” ( I. forrestii ); “leaves…… sharply serrate, 4–6 cm long, the lateral nerves 8 (7) or 8 pairs” ( I. wardii ). I observed and measured leaves of seven of the collections of I. forrestii used by her, with the result as follows: leaves are 6.7–11.5 cm long, 3.2–3.8 cm wide; nerves 9–11 pairs; lower half to lower 1/8 entire. I observed and measured three of the collections of I. wardii used by her and the result is: leaves 6–9.5 cm long, 2.2–3 cm wide; nerves 9–11 pairs; lower 1/3–1/8 entire. The “differences” given in Hu’s key are different from those given in her statement. It is clear that the characters used by Hu for distinguishing the two “species” vary continuously.

Representative specimens examined:— E NEPAL: Mechi, Taplejung Distr. , 2730 m, 17. May 1992, M. Suzuki et al. 9263093 ( BM) ; SIKKIM & DARJILING: Sikkim, 2130–3050 m, J. D. Hooker s. n. ( BM). BHUTAN: Thimphu, 2800 m, 21. May 1915, R. E. Cooper 3914 ( BM) ; Pangkar, Kuru Chu, Mt Lhuntse, 2740 m, 22. Apr. 1949, F. Ludlow et al. 18738 ( BM) ; Lad Trashi, Yangsi Chu (E Bhutan), 2740 m, 15. May 1949, F. Ludlow et al. 20634 ( BM). M YARLUNG ZANGBO: Yadong , Chumbi , Tha Poo , 1884, King’s Collector 466 ( BM). S HENGDUAN: Bijiang , Lumbering Ground , 2700 m, 23. Jun. 1978. Bijiang Exped. 0710 ( KUN) ; Cawarong, Salween-kiu-chiang Divide , 28°24 ′ N, 98°24 ′ E, 3050–3350 m, Sept. 1921, G. Forrest 20093 (paratypes of I. forrestii : E, K) ; Dali , 25°40 ′ N, 3050 m, Jul. 1917, G. Forrest 15624 (paratype of I. forrestii : K) ; E of Dali Lake, G. Forrest 13478 (paratype of I. forrestii : E) ; Deqên, Cizhong , 2600–2700 m, 20. Jul. 1940, K. M. Feng 5642 (KUN, PE) ; Fugong , 2700 m, 17. Oct. 1933, H. T. Tsai 54449 (KUN, PE) ; Mekong-Salween Divide, G. Forrest 19808 (paratypes of I. forrestii : E, K) ; Gongshan, Cikai, Heipu Shan , 06. Oct. 1940, K. M. Feng 8196 (K, PE) ; Salween-Kiujiang Divide, G. Forrest 25871 (paratypes of I. forrestii : E, K,) ; Lanping, Biluoxue Shan , 3070 m, 17. Sept. 1964, S. K. Wu 8943 ( KUN) ; Lushui, Shweli-Salween Divide , 25°40 ′ N, 2440 m, Jul. 1919, G. Forrest 18133 (paratype: K) ; Mianning, Maoniu Shan , 2450 m, 24. May 1960, S. Jiang 5822 ( PE) ; Shangri-la (Zhongdian), Chutso , on Yangtze bank, 2800 m, 07. Nov. 1939, K. M. Feng 3252 (KUN, PE) ; Weixi, Yezi , 2500 m, Oct. 1935, C. W. Wang 70416 (KUN, PE) ; Yangbi, Malutang , 01. May 1940, R. C. Ching 22486 ( PE) ; Yulong (Lijiang), Kaitze , 2500 m, 27. Dec. 1939, K. M. Feng 2634 (KUN, PE) ; Lijiang Range, 1933, Mc /L. C. 244 (K). U IRRAWADDY: North Triangle ( Urung Bum , above Ahkail ), 2440–2740 m, 16. May 1953, F. Kingdon-Ward 20865 ( BM) ; Mungku Hkyet , 27°45 ′ N, 97°50 ′ E, 2440–2740 m, 21. Aug. 1937, F. Kingdon-Ward 13007 ( BM) ; Tengchong, Qipanshi , 2400 m, 16. Jun. 1964, S. K. Wu 7176 ( KUN) ; Tengchong, Shweli-Salween Divide , 25°25 ′ N, 98°58 ′ E, Jun. 1924, G. Forrest 24449 (paratypes of I. forrestii : E, K) .