Strobocalyx solanifolia (Benth.) Sch.Bip., Jahresber. Pollichia 18-19: 171. 181.

Bunwong, Sukhonthip, Chantaranothai, Pranom & Keeley, Sterling C., 2014, Revisions and key to the Vernonieae (Compositae) of Thailand, PhytoKeys 37, pp. 25-101 : 90

Strobocalyx solanifolia (Benth.) Sch.Bip., Jahresber. Pollichia 18-19: 171. 181.

Vernonia solanifolia Benth., Lond. Journ. Bot. 1: 486. 1842.

Type:

Hong Kong: Hinds s.n. (holotype: K!). Fig. 10F .

Description.

Scandent or climbing shrubs, 2-10 m tall. Stems caulescent, becoming woody with age, young branches inconspicuously ribbed, ferruginous tomentose. Leaves 8-20 by 4-10 cm, ovate or elliptic, margin serrate or entire, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate, subcoriaceous; upper surface puberulous without glands; lower surface tomentose with filiform hairs, flagellate hairs and capitate glands; lateral veins 5-7-paired; petioles up to 3.5 cm long. Capitulescences terminal and axillary, thyrsoid paniculate. Capitula narrowly campanulate, 8-10 mm long, pedunculate. Receptacle flat, 2-2.5 mm in diam., hairy. Involucres narrowly campanulate or slightly cylindrical, 2-3 series, 3.5-4 mm long, 3-4 mm in diam. Phyllaries imbricate, light green, margin piliferous, outer surface tomentose without glands; the outer and the middle ones ovate, apex obtuse; the inner ones obovate, apex obtuse. Florets 5-7; corollas funnelform, purple, puberulous, glands capitate; corolla tubes 4.5-6 mm long; corolla lobes 1.5-2.5 mm long. Anthers 2-2.5 mm long, apical appendage acute, base acute. Styles purple, 5-6.5 mm long, branches 2-2.5 mm long. Achenes turbinate, ca. 2 mm long, 10-ribbed, covered with sparse hairs and capitate glands. Pappus in 2 series of bristles, the inner ones 5-6 mm long. Pollen echinate, 3-colporate, with prominent micropuncta.

Distribution.

Thailand: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Nayok. Hong Kong, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar.

Specimens examined.

Thailand, Loei, Phu Kradung national park, 16°52.25'N, 101°50.74'E, S. Bunwong 68 (KKU); Mae Hong Son, Khum Yuam, 8 Apr 1977, B. Nimanong & S. Phusomsaeng 1813 (BKF, PSU); Lampang, Metud, 1 Mar 1925, Winit 1262 (BK, BKF, K); Phitsanulok, Thung Salang Luang, 22 Apr 1964, Pradit 846 (BK); Phetchabun, Lom Kao, 5 May 1955, T. Smitinand 2639 (BKF); Loei, Phu Kra Dung, 12 Feb 1931, A.F.G. Kerr 20129 (BK, BM, K, L); Dan Sai, 26 Mar 1965, A.F.G. Kerr 8816 (BK, BM, E, K); Phu Rue, 5 Mar 1993, P. Chantaranothai, J. Parnell, D. Middleton & D. Simpson 1079 (BKF); Chaiyaphum,Paa Hin Ngam, 22 Feb 1963, Adisai 382 (BK); Khao Kiew, 23 Feb 1931, A.F.G. Kerr 20226 (BK, BM, K); Khao Kiew, 6 Mar 1984, W. Nanakorn 391 (BKF); Nakhon Ratchasima; Kanchanaburi, Ban Tun, 2 Mar 1921, A.F.G. Kerr 4982 (BK, BM, K).

Diagnostic characters.

Strobocalyx solanifolia is distinguished by its scandent habit, corymbose capitulescences and tomentose leaf surfaces.

Ecology.

Hill evergreen or pine-oak forest, alt. 900-1250 m; flowering February to May.

Vernacular name.

Cha Kua (ชะเคือ จ ๊าเขือ).

Figures

Figure 10. Morphology of Vernonieae in Thailand 6. A Okia birmanica B Okia pseudobirmanica C Pulicarioidea annamica D-E Strobocalyx arborea F Strobocalyx solanifolia G-H Struchium sparganophorum I Tarlmounia elliptica.