Creochiton dipterus Elmer

Kartonegoro, A. & Veldkamp, J. F., 2013, Revision of Creochiton (Melastomataceae), Blumea 58 (3), pp. 217-227 : 222-223

5. Creochiton dipterus Elmer ― Map 3

Creochiton dipterus Elmer (1911) 1192; (1939) 3659; Merr. (1923) 190. ― Type: Elmer 9813 (holo PNH n.v.; iso E, MO), Philippines, Negros, Negros Oriental Province, Dumaguete ( Cuernos Mts ).

Climbers, up to 25 m high; branchlets terete, glabrescent to sparsely brown furfuraceous; nodes thickened with interpetiolary ridge. Leaves coriaceous, ovate, apex acute to obtuse, base rounded or subcordate; glabrous above, yellowish green, glabrescent below, midrib densely furfuraceous, 4–7.5 by 2–4.5 cm; nervation plinerved with 1 pair of main nerves arising above the base; petiole densely furfuraceous, 5–17 mm long. Inflorescences axillary, a 3-flowered cyme, 1.5–2.5 cm long; main axis terete, densely furfuraceous, 2 cm long; bracts ovate, densely furfuraceous, veined, c. 3 mm long; bracteoles ovate, orbicular to oblong, thin, densely furfuraceous on both sides, veined, yellowish, half enveloping the flower buds, 5–7 by 2 – 5 mm; pedicel densely furfuraceous, 8–9 mm long. Hypanthium campanulate, densely stellate furfuraceous, yellowish green, 3–4 by 2 mm; calyx rim truncate with 4 small distinct lobes, 0.3–0.5 mm long; petals elliptic, apex rounded, 4–5 by 4 mm, white. Stamens 8, equal; filament flat, cream, 3–4 mm long; anther elongate, pinkish or purple, 4–5 mm long; connective with a sagittate crest, light cream, c. 1 mm long; lateral appendages absent;ovary2–3mmlong,glabrous;styleglabrous,pink, 9–11mm long; extra-ovarial chambers not developed. Fruits globose, glabrous, c. 5 by 5 mm, green and turning red when ripe; seeds 0.5–0.7 mm long.

Distribution ― Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros).

Ecology & Habitat ― Primary or disturbed forest on ridge slope, between 450–1800 m altitude.

Vernacular name ― Buyon-Buyon (Visayan).

Note ― Creochiton dipterus is distinguished by its coriaceous leaves, underneath glabrescent (but for midrib), the umbellate 3-flowered inflorescence, thin, ovate, orbicular to oblong bracteoles which partially cover the flower bud, and the absence of extra-ovarial chambers. It resembles C. ledermannii by the shape of the leaves and fruits but differs by its glabrescent leaves, the single cyme and thin bracteoles, while the latter has densely tomentose leaves, umbellate inflorescences and coriaceous bracteoles. The shape of stamens is similar to C. novoguineensis but it differs by the shape and indument of the leaves.

Figures

Map 3 Distribution of Creochiton bracteatus (▲), Creochiton dipterus (■) and Creochiton roseus (●).