Lasianthus inodorus subsp. pubescens, H. Zhu

c. subsp. pubescens H.Zhu View in CoL — Map 8

Lasianthus inodorus Blume subsp. pubescens H.Zhu (2001a) 451. — Type: Zhu 98­7­02 (holo HITBC), Borneo, Kinabalu, alt. 1600 m, in lower montane forest.

Shrubs, 1–1.5 m tall; branches subterete, densely appressed-pubescent, incrassate at nodes, internode 2.5– 3 cm long. Leaves: blades 6–13 by 2.2– 5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, apex subacute to shortly acuminate, base broadly cuneate, coriaceous, glabrous above, pubescent beneath, nerves 6–7-paired, tertiary nerves subparallel, nerves and tertiary nerves conspicuous on both sides; petioles 3 mm long, pubescent. Stipules triangular, 5 mm long, apex acuminate, densely pubescent. Inflorescences sessile; bracts orbicular, subcoriaceous, pubescent, semi-persistent. Flowers sessile; calyx tube 2 mm long, pubescent outside, lobes 5, 2 mm long, broad-triangular, pubescent outside, apex and margin densely pubescent; corolla 8 mm long, tube 4–5 mm long, glabrescent outside, lobes subspathulate, pubescent outside, villous inside; stamens 5; anthers oblong. Mature fruit not seen.

Distribution — Endemic to Borneo (Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak, Kalimantan).

Notes — Subsp. pubescens has coriaceous elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate leaves and conspicuously orbicular or ovate coriaceous bracts that make it a clear species in the genus. Lasianthus inodorus from the mountains of Sumatra and Java is clearly conspecific to L. poilanei of Cambodia and L. tubiferus from India, Thailand and Yunnan of China. The species has coriaceous elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate leaves and persistent orbicular coriaceous bracts, which clearly distinguish it in the genus.