Piper argyrites Ridl.

Suwanphakdee, C. & Chantaranothai, P., 2011, A new species and three taxonomic changes in Piper (Piperaceae) from Thailand, Blumea 56 (3), pp. 235-239 : 239

3. Piper argyrites Ridl.

Piper argyrites Ridl. (1912) 25. — Type: Ridley 8176 (lecto SING; isolecto G-DC, here selected), Malaysia, Selangor, Gua Batucave , Dec. 1920.

Piper maculaphyllum Chaveer. & Sudmoon (2008) 120. — Type: A. Chaveerach 126 (holo BK;iso BKF), Thailand, Phuket, Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center , syn. nov.

Distribution — Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand (South-eastern and Peninsular).

Habitat & Ecology — Growing near stream, along stream or evergreen hill forest.

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting: October–December.

Note — Of the two specimens cited by Ridley (1912) we were unable to find Ridley 7611 in K, G-DC or SING, and we choose Ridley 8176 as lectotype for Piper argyrites . Chaveerach et al. (2008) indicated that the type specimens of P. maculaphyllum were deposited in BK and BKF. However, we were unable to find these specimens and, from discussion with staff in BK and BKF, we understand that they were not actually deposited in these herbaria. We have examined the line drawing and description of P. maculaphyllum and found that features of leaves, inflorescence, floral bract, stamens and especially fruits and infructescence match with P. argyrites . Therefore, P. maculaphyllum is reduced to synonymy under P. argyrites . This species is widely distributed in South-eastern and Peninsular Thailand.