Strobilanthes capitata (Nees) T. Anderson

Kladwong, Pornchai & Chantaranothai, Pranom, 2024, Notes on Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) with capitate inflorescences in Thailand, PhytoKeys 244, pp. 89-126 : 89-126

4. Strobilanthes capitata (Nees) T. Anderson , J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 9: 475. 1867.

Fig. 10 B

Goldfussia capitata Nees , Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 88. 1832. Type: Nepal, 1821, Wall. Numer. List: 2351, 1831–1832 (lectotype K-W [ K 001115708!] designated here; isolectotypes BM [ BM 000793162!], GZU [ GZU 000251594 image!, GZU 000251595 image!], K [ K 000883084!]).

Ruellia capitata Wall. , Numer. List [Wallich] n. 2351. 1830, nom. nud.

Type.

Based on Goldfussia capitata Nees

Distribution.

India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Thailand.

Ecology.

In mixed deciduous forest or evergreen forest near waterfall; 237–2,190 m alt., flowering and fruiting from September to March.

Selected specimens examined.

Thailand, Northern, Mae Hong Son, Khun Yuam, Huai Yuak village, 500 m alt., 13 Jan 1983, Koyama et al. 32434 ( KYO, L); ibid., Mueang, Doi Mae Sakut, 800–1,000 m alt., 23 Sept 1995, Nanakorn et al. 4654 (QBG- 2 sheets); ibid., Pang Mapha, Tham Lot, 850 m alt., 10 Nov 2004, Maxwell 04-682 ( BKF, CMUB, L- 3 sheets); Chiang Mai, Mae Chaem, Huai Hom, Ban Wat Chan, 1,000 m alt., 2 Dec 2007, Srisanga et al. 3121 ( KYO, QBG); Lamphun, Doi Khun Tan NP, 925 m alt., 29 Jan 1994, Maxwell 94-135 ( BKF, CMUB); Phrae, Song, Mae Tom NP, 400 m alt., 14 Dec 1993, Maxwell 93-1499 ( CMUB, L- 2 sheets); Tak, Mae Sot, Khao Phra War, 700–850 m alt., 12 Oct 1979, Shimizu et al. 18428 ( BKF, K, KYO, L); North-eastern: Loei, Phu Luang WS, 1,300 –1,562 m alt., 5 Dec 1965, Tagawa et al. 1605 ( BKF, KYO- 2 sheets, L).

Preliminary conservation status assessment.

This species has an Extent of Occurrence ( EOO) of 63,122.391 km 2 and an Area of Occupancy ( AOO) of 52.000 km 2 and is assessed as Least Concern ( LC) following IUCN (2022).

Notes.

Strobilanthes capitata resembles S. kerrii Craib and S. speciosa Blume in having a straight corolla and nodding short stamens. The species differs from the former as it lacks purplish hairs on the stems, petioles and peduncles and from the latter by having ovate or oblong-elliptic and curved bracts and blue to purplish-blue flowers.

Nees (1832) described Goldfussia capitata based on Wallich 2351 which has five duplicates, one at each of BM [ BM 000793162], K [ K 000883084] and K-W [ K 001115708] and two at GZU [ GZU 000251594, GZU 000251595]. The sheet K 001115708 is the best preserved and has completely mature leaves, inflorescences and flowers. Therefore, we select it as the lectotype.

Figures

Figure 10. Distribution maps of Strobilanthes with capitate inflorescence in Thailand A S. aprica (Hance) T. Anderson, S. articulata J. B. Imlay and S. brandisii T. Anderson B S. capitata (Nees) T. Anderson, S. chiangdaoensis Terao and S. consors C. B. Clarke C S. cruciata (Bremek.) Terao, S. dimorphotricha subsp. rex (C. B. Clarke) J. R. I. Wood and S. echinata Nees D S. erecta C. B. Clarke, S. esquirolii H. Lév. and S. falconeri T. Anderson.