Lasianthus acuminatissimus Merr.

1. Lasianthus acuminatissimus Merr. View in CoL

Lasianthus acuminatissimus Merr. (1922) View in CoL 467; (1923) 565. — Lectotype (designated here): Bur. Sci. 38058 (Ramos & Edaňo) (lecto K; isolecto P, US), Philippines, Luzon, Bontoc, Mt Caua , 1800 m .

Shrubs, c. 1 m high; branchlets terete, 2– 3 mm diam, brown, minutely appressed-pubescent. Leaves: blades narrowly lanceolate, 9–19 by 1.5 – 3 cm, chartaceous, glabrous above, puberulous beneath, apex caudate-acuminate, base acute, midrib slightly depressed above, prominent and appressed-pubescent beneath, nerves flat above, prominent and appressed-pubescent beneath, 7 pairs, ascending at an angle of 45–50°, ner- vules distinct on both surfaces, puberulous beneath, subreticulate; petioles 5 –7 mm long, appressed-pubescent. Stipules narrowly triangular to linear-lanceolate with an acuminate apex, c. 4 mm long. Inflorescences sessile; bracts absent. Flowers sessile, fascicled; calyx 2.5 – 3 mm long, slightly puberulous; calyx limb cupular with 5 minute teeth; corolla tube cylindrical, c. 5 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous inside in the lower half, villous in the upper half; corolla lobes 3 mm long, oblong, villous inside; anthers oblong, c. 2.2 mm long; style 6 mm long; ovary 5-locular. Fruits unknown.

Distribution — Endemic to the Philippines.

Note — This species is highly similar to L. morus Elmer in absence of assessment of relationships. It has similar calyx, stipules and indumentums to the latter, but differs in having narrowly lanceolate and chartaceous leaf blades with an elongated caudate-acuminate apex, and subreticulate nervules. Only the type specimen is known.