Lasianthus furcatoides H.Zhu, 2012

51. Lasianthus furcatoides H.Zhu View in CoL , sp. nov. — Fig. 17 View Fig

Proximus L. laevigato Blume ,sed foliis venationibus brachidodromibus,nervis 4–5, stipulis subulatis minutis, lobis calycis et corollis 4, pyrenis 4 conspicue verrucosis differt. — Typus: Ilias Paie S. 27239 (holo L; iso K), Sarawak, Ulu Segan, Bintulu, 600 ft alt., hillside, 27 Aug. 1968.

Shrub, 1.3–2 m high; branchlets robust, usually compressed, c. 3 mm diam, glabrous, yellowish. Leaves: blades oblong, 7–13 by 2–4.5 cm, membranaceous, glabrous on both surfaces, apex cuspidate, base cuneate, midrib slightly prominent above, conspicuously prominent beneath, nerves slightly prominent on both surfaces, 4–7 pairs, ascending at an angle of almost 90°, curved near the leaf margin and joining the veins above forming an intramarginal vein, internerved veins conspicuous, ascending from the midrib at a nearly right angle, combination to the main nerves, nervules slightly prominent on both surfaces, reticulate; petioles 0.5–1 cm long, glabrous. Stipules very small, subulate-triangular, less than 1 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescences pedunculate; peduncles 0.5–1.5 cm long, furcate, glabrous except sparse bristles at nodes, flattened at base and nodes; bracts subulate, c. 1 mm long, puberulous or glabrous; bracteoles subulate to ovate, less than 1 mm long. Flowers sessile, articulate; calyx obconical, up to 8 mm long, glabrous, tubes 2.5–3 mm long, lobes 4, triangular-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, up to 5 mm long; corolla as long as calyx, lobes 4, sparsely puberulous external surface, floccose internal surface; stamens 4, adhering on corolla tube; ovary 4-locular. Drupes oblong, c. 5 mm diam, glabrous, verrucose, crowned by lanceolate calyx lobes; pyrenes 4, very warty on abaxial face.

Distribution — Endemic to Borneo ( Sarawak).

Habitat & Ecology — In forest between 600–2300 ft. Flower- ing and fruiting between August and December.

Additional specimen examined. Sarawak, Bakam, Abg. Mohtar S.47207

(L).

Note — This species is characterized by its glabrous plants, looped leaf venation, and furcate peduncles. It is closely related to L. laevigatus , but differs in having leaves with looped venation; nerves 4–5 pairs; stipules very small, subulate, less than 1 mm long; calyx and corolla lobes 4; drupes with 4 pyrenes; pyrenes very warty. Lasianthus laevigatus has leaves without looped venation; nerves 8–10; stipules triangular, 4 mm long; calyx and corolla lobes 5 – 6; drupes with 6 pyrenes; pyrenes much more smooth.