Osbeckia nepalensis Hook., Exot. Fl.

P., Prashob & Thomas, Sibichen M., 2019, The genus Osbeckia (Melastomataceae) in India, Rheedea 29 (4), pp. 236-305 : 259

Osbeckia nepalensis Hook., Exot. Fl. 1(2): t. 31. 1822; C.B. Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 521. 1879; C.Hansen, Ginkgoana 4: 67. 1977; N.P.Balakr, Fl. Jowai & Vicinity 205. 141. 1983. Lectotype (designated by Hansen, 1977): NEPAL, Katmandu, J.E. Smith s.n. (K000867999 digital image!).

O. chulesis D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 221. 1825. Type: NEPAL, Narainhetty , 27.07.1802, Hamilton s.n. (holo BM 000521788 digital image!).

Melastoma nepalensis Lodd., Bot. Cab. 8: t. 707. 1823, nom. nud.

Melastoma chulesis Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 221. 1825, pro. syn.

O. speciosa D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 222. 1825, nom. illeg.

Perennial, erect, branched shrubs, c. 2 m tall. Stems clothed with appressed to ascending or shaggy hairs. Leaves sessile or sub sessile (petioles 0.5–1.5 mm long); lamina lanceolate, 5–16 × 2–5.5 cm, 5– 7-nerved, apex acute, base cordate or subcordate, both sides clothed with ascending shaggy hairs above, soft beneath. Inflorescence terminal or axillary panicles, 5–10-flowered. Flowers pentamerous; pedicels 1–6 mm long; bracts ovate to broadly ovate, 7–15 × 5–9 mm, ciliate and appressed-hairy. Hypanthium campanulate, 6–10 × 5.5–7 mm, with few to several subappressed scale like emergences, simple hairs absent; intersepalar emergences 1–1.5 × 1–2 mm, lobed, with a tuft of short bristles, caducous; other emergences similar in shape. Sepals 5, ovate, 8–11 × 4–7 mm, apex often acute, with few indistinct nerves, margins ciliate, caducous. Petals 5, broadly obovate to obcordate, 15–20 × 4–7 mm long, pink, margins ciliate. Stamens 10; filaments 4–6 mm long; anthers narrowly ovate, 6–9 mm long, attenuate, not twisted, pore oblique on ventral side at the apex, connective sometimes slightly prolonged between collar and sacs. Ovary united with hypanthium for about half of its length; anther pockets extending to the base of ovary; crown distinct; style 13–19 mm long. Capsules campanulate, 6–l0 × 5–8 mm, rim of hypanthium exceeding the crown; seeds minute, curved, 0.1–0.2 mm long, numerous.