Lasianthus saprosmoides Pit. (1924: 387)

Dang, Van-Son & Naiki, Akiyo, 2023, A revision of the genus Lasianthus Jack (Rubiaceae) from Vietnam, Phytotaxa 581 (1), pp. 1921-1935 : 1921-1935

60. Lasianthus saprosmoides Pit. (1924: 387) — Fig. 90 (plate), Fig. 89 (map)

Type: — VIETNAM. Lam Dong Province, Langbian Plateau , 1500 m elev., 28 April 1919, A. Chevalier 40329 (holotype P! [P02285236]) .

Specimens examined: — VIETNAM. Central: Lam Dong Province, Langbian Plateau , 1500 m elev., 28 April 1919, A. Chevalier 40329 (P); in the same location, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park , 1405 m elev., 20 October 2019, Dang V.S., Dang 429 ( VNM) .

Distribution: —Endemic to Vietnam (currently known only from Bidoup Nui Ba National Park of Lam Dong Province).

Habitat & Ecology: —Growing in the understory of primary and secondary forests or the hill of the evergreen montane forest at 1000–1700 m elev.

Phenology: —Flowering and fruiting from April to November.

Vernacular name: —Xú hưƠng nhại.

Notes: — Lasianthus saprosmoides was described as new from a Vietnamese specimen (A. Chevalier 40329) by Pitard (1924). It is characterized in having oblong or ovate-lanceolate leaves, secondary veins 5–6 on each side of midrib, calyx tube truncate and calyx lobes barely visible, corolla lobes 3, and fruits globose, 3–4 mm in diam.

Figures

FIGURE 89. Distribution maps of Lasianthus sapaensis, L. saprosmoides, L. saxorum and L. schmidtii.

FIGURE 90. Lasianthus saprosmoides Pit. (from Dang 429, VNM): A. Branch with fruits, B. Stipules, C. Abaxial leaf surfaces, D–F. Inflorescence showing side view buds and flower, G–I. Young fruits.