Alangium ebenaceum var. insignis, 2017

Dewilde, W. J. J. O. & Duyfjes, B. E. E., 2017, Taxonomy of Alangium section Conostigma (Alangiaceae), Blumea 62 (1), pp. 29-46 : 32-33

b. var. insignis W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes , var. nov.

Differs from the typical variety in robust habit, with twigs 5–10 mm diam, and leaf lamina 30–50 by 9–18 cm. Infructescences borne on the twigs below the leaves.Fruit c. 30 by 15–18 mm with calyx remnant large, truncate, 6–9 mm wide. Flowers as the species. — Type: Yii S 70936 (holo L L.3716600; iso K n.v., KEP n.v., MO n.v., SAR n.v.), Borneo , Sarawak, 4th Div., Anap Forest Reserve, 160 m alt., 14 Feb. 1995, fr .

Etymology. The name insignis (Latin = remarkable) refers to the robust habit and remarkably big leaves.

Distribution — Borneo ( Sarawak, 4th Div. (Tinjar) and 7th Div. (Ulu Belaga)).

Habitat & Ecology — Mixed dipterocarp forest, thick (old) secondary forest on steep slope of river-valley, on fertile loamy ground; 50–160 m altitude; fruiting in February, August, and September.

Field-notes — Fruit ripening deep purple, edible, ‘aril’ whitish, juicy, with sour taste.

Vernacular names — Brawan, Midong or Medong (Iban).

Proposed IUCN (2012) conservation assessment — Data Deficient (DD), the collections date from 1963, 1972, and 1974, all from more or less the same locality; to A. javanicum var. meyeri auct. non (Merr.) Berhaman (1994) 35, p.p.

Additional specimens studied. SARAWAK, 4th Div., Fuchs 21208, Tinjar, 50 m alt., 7 Aug. 1963, fr.; Tong S 34940 , Tinjar, 29 Aug. 1974, fr.; Chai S 31737 , Segan Forest Reserve, 17 Sept. 1972, fr.; 7th Div., Hansen 685, Ulu Belaga, Sungai Semawat, 18 Oct. 1981, fl.