Merremia dichotoma Ooststr.

Simões, A. R., Silva, H. & Silveira, P., 2011, The Convolvulaceae of Timor with special reference to East Timor, Blumea 56 (1), pp. 49-72 : 64

1. Merremia dichotoma Ooststr. — Map 14

Merremia dichotoma Ooststr. (1939) 311; Ooststr. (in Ooststr. & Hoogland 1953) 443; Kalkman (1955) 216. — Type: Walsh 375 (holo BO n.v.; iso BM), Indonesia, Kolbano, 30.iv.1929.

Distribution — Timor (Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953).

Habitat & Ecology — Climber. One specimen was collected by the coast ( Walsh 375), the other at a mountain site (Kooy 794).

Vernacular name — Knâtan (Timor: dialect unknown) (Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953).

Note — Van Ooststroom (Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953) first described M. dichotoma as having a white corolla. According to Kooy’s collection notes (Kooy 794), the specimen from Timor had a yellow corolla. Since the type specimen Walsh 375 does not have any indication about the colour of the corolla, it is possible that Van Ooststroom speculated that it was white, from the analysis of the preserved Walsh’s specimen. Van Ooststroom may have made a wrong assumption or the species may indeed exhibit some variability in corolla colour.

Figures

Map 14 Distribution of Merremia dichotoma Ooststr. ($), M. emarginata (Burm.f.) Hallier f. (5), M. gemella (Burm.f.) Hallier f. (:) and M. hederacea (Burm.f.) Hallier f. (-).