Boehmeria clidemioides var. diffusa

Wilmot-Dear, C. M. & Friis, I., 2013, The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision, Blumea 58 (2), pp. 85-216 : 116-117

2. Leaves alternate, plant ± herbaceous, laxly branched often prostrate and ascending; lateral flower-bearing branches of similar length to main stem, often with scattered leaves throughout length..................... b. var. diffusa a. var. clidemioides — Fig. 7a–e ; Map 8

Boehmeria sidaefolia Wedd. (1854) 203. ― Type: Not traced.

Boehmeria clidemioides Miq. var. platyphylloides Yahara (1981) 11, syn. nov.― Type: Shimizu et al. 20469 (holo KYO;photo K), northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, Doi Chang. – See Note 2.

Herb or robust shrub, woody-based erect (few–)many-branched, 0.4–3 m tall; lateral branches much shorter than main stems, 5–10(–15) cm, mostly unbranched with few or no leaves in lower part subtending the well-spaced or crowded flower-clusters. Leaves opposite or subopposite, rarely alternate near branch apex, ovate to elliptic-ovate or rhombic-ovate, medium, (4.5–)6–16(–19) by (2–)2.5–7(–12) cm, proportions very variable, length (1.3–)2–2.5(–4) × width; marginal teeth (10–)15–30(–35) either side, uniform or slightly larger and increasingly up-curved near leaf apex, 4(–7) by 5(–7) mm, width (1–)1.5–2(–3) × length; leaf apex acuminate to caudate; base narrowly rounded to short-cuneate. Stigma often short, 1–1.5 mm long. Fruiting perianth up to 1.5 mm long, length often 3 × width, wing distinct. Achene smooth.

Distribution ― Widespread from eastern Himalayas (north-eastern India, Nepal) to Burma, Thailand, Vietnam.

Habitat & Ecology ― Forest, mostly moist places and near streams; 1000–2500 m altitude.

Notes ― 1. See general discussion of variation under the species. Leaves are rarely over 8 cm and often less than 6 cm long, often relatively broader than in var. diffusa or with marginal teeth more numerous; lateral branches mostly short and conspicuously leafless in lower part. Said to be edible, according to Poilane 4259.

2. Var. platyphylloides , distinguished on branched stems, larger leaves, longer acumen and smaller teeth, is here reduced to synonymy since there is a continuous range of intermediates with the typical variety. Yahara himself noted the existence of intermediate forms.

Figures

Map 8 Distribution of Boehmeria clidemioides Miq. var. clidemioides (●) and B. clidemioides Miq. var. umbrosa Hand.-Mazz. (ä).

Fig. 7 a–e: Boehmeria clidemioides Miq. var. clidemioides. a. Part of stem showing pair of partly-leafless inflorescence-bearing axes with flower-clusters (inflorescences); b, c. leaves; d. stipule; e. flattened winged fruiting perianth. — f–k: Boehmeria clidemioides var. diffusa (Wedd.) Handel-Mazzetti. f. Habit of stem showing axillary, partly-leafless inflorescence-bearing axes with flower-clusters (inflorescences); g. leaf; h. part of male inflorescence-bearing axis with two flower-clusters (inflorescences); i. male flower; j. part of female inflorescence-bearing axis with two flower-clusters (inflorescences); k. unwinged fruiting perianth. — l: Boehmeria clidemioides var. umbrosa Hand.-Mazz. Leaf (a: Henry 12795; b, d: Hancock 375; c: Faber 431; e, h, i: Ferguson s.n; g, k: Henry 2924; j: Forrest 15885; h: Wilson 5157; all K). — Scale bars: a–c, g, l = 1 cm; d, h, j = 2 mm; e, i, k = 1 mm; f = 2 cm.