全 文 ：植 物 分 类 学 报 45 (4): 587–592(2007) doi:10.1360/aps050006
Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica http://www.plantsystematics.com
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Received: 20 January 2005 Accepted: 23 April 2007
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province of China, Grant. No. 2001C0022Q, and West Glory Project of
the Chinese Academy of Sciences granted to Shui Yu-Min in China.
* Author for correspondence. E-mail: .
Additional notes on Melastomataceae of China
1CHEN Wen-Hong 1SHUI Yu-Min* 2ZHOU Lu-Men
1 (Kunming Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China)
2 (Lüchun Huanglianshan National Natural Reserve, Lüchun, Yunnan 662500, China)
Abstract Oxyspora curtisii King, a newly recorded species of Oxyspora (Melastomataceae)
in China, is reported and illustrated. Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata C.
Y. Wu & C. Chen is raised to species rank and relegated to the genus Oxyspora, viz. O.
teretipetiolata (C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui, which is described further
based on flowering specimens. Scanning electron microscopy images of pollen grains and
seeds support the distinctness of the new species.
Key words Melastomataceae, Oxyspora curtisii King, new record, Oxyspora teretipetiolata
(C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui, new combination, China.
Many generic delimitations in the family Melastomataceae are unclear, especially among
the genera with paniculate inflorescences. An example are the genera Allomorphia Bl. and
Oxyspora DC., which overlap in most characters except the characteristics of their stamens. In
Oxyspora, the stamens are equal or slightly equal in size and shape, while in Allomorphia, the
stamens are unequal in size and shape. However, these stamen characters can be difficult to
apply consistently (Maxwell, 1982; Renner et al., 2001), and species then are difficult to
allocate to either Oxyspora or Allomorphia. Furthermore, neither Maxwell nor Renner et al.
studied sufficient species to make such a claim that stamen variation is continuous among all
species. The present study concerns a few interesting entities from China, but cannot draw
conclusions about generic delimitation because the majority of species of Oxyspora are in
Borneo. So, at the present time we are inclined to accept the generic treatment of Maxwell
and Renner.
In recent years, specimens of Allomorphia (Melastomataceae) with distinct wings on the
petioles were collected during field work in southeastern Yunnan, China. At first sight, they
belonged to Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata C. Y. Wu & C. Chen.
However, after consultation of the relevant literature (Guillaumin, 1921; Chen, 1979;
Maxwell, 1982; Ho, 1992), it became clear that the specimens represented two independent
species. One of them is Oxyspora curtisii King, a new record of China, while the other was
formerly ranked as a variety of A. eupteroton, but is here considered to belong in Oxyspora, as
Oxyspora teretipetiolata (C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui.
Pollen grains and seeds of one or two specimens from each species were studied using
light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mature dry pollen grains
and seeds were washed in water using ultrasound, and for SEM they were then air-dried and
fixed to aluminum specimen holders and sputter-coated with gold. Morphological
observations and micrographs were then carried out with a Hitachi-S-3000N ESEM. There
were consistent differences between the two species as specified below. All voucher
specimens are deposited in Herbarium of Kunming Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy
of Sciences (KUN).
Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica Vol. 45 588
1. Oxyspora curtisii King in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 69: 9. 1900; S. S.
Renner et al. in T. Santisuk & K. Larsen, Fl. Thailand 7 (3): 458. 2001.——Allomorphia
curtisii (King) Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 57: 40. 1911. Type: Malay Peninsula.
Perak, Curt? 1300 (K).
Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin in Notul. Syst. (Paris) 2: 323. 1913; Guillaumin in
Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 2: 903, fig. 98. 1921; Craib, Fl. Siam. Enum. 1: 685. 1931; M.
Ho in P. H. Ho, An Illustrated Flora Vietnam 2: 91, fig. 3865. 1992. Type: Vietnam. Tonkin,
Balansa 3504 (P).
柑叶尖子木 Fig. 1.
Shrub, 1.7–2.5 m tall. Branchlets puberulous 4-winged, wings 1–4 mm wide. Blades
ovate or elliptic, 10–25 cm long, 5–16 cm wide, nearly glabrous above and minutely
furfuraceous beneath on veins, base attenuate or rounded with 2 pairs of lateral primary veins,
apex shortly acuminate, margin obtuse serrulate, the veins depressed above and prominent
beneath. Petioles 1.5–4 (–7) cm long and winged, wings 3–9 mm wide. Inflorescences conic,
10–25 cm long, 4–5 cm wide on base, peduncles 4-winged, flowers verticillate, clustered in
small umbels near the ends of the branchlets of inflorescences, bracts and bracteoles minute
and deciduous. Flowers 4-merous, pedicels to 1.5 mm long. Hypanthium cylindrical, 8-ribbed,
5–7 mm long, puberulous, calyx rim with 4 cusps 0.5 mm long. Petals ovate, ca. 3 mm long
and wide, pinkish or white. Stamens 8, subisomorphic, 5–7 mm long, anthers white or
sometimes pinkish, long-hastate, 4–5 mm long, with short spur on the base. Infructescence
mostly extremely enlarged, 15–30 cm long, 10–30 cm wide. Capsule suburceolate or
cylindrical, ca. 3 mm long, crowned by the persistent 8-angled calyx rim on the top. Fl. Jul.–
Aug., fr. Aug.–Dec.
China. Yunnan (云南): Lüchun (绿春), S. K. Wu et al. (武素功等) 1069 (KUN), Y. M.
Shui & W. H. Chen (税玉民, 陈文红) 13536 (KUN, PE), Lüchun Exped. of Yunnan Forestry
School (云南林校绿春队) 95, 1768 (KUN, YFS), L. M. Zhou (周鲁们) 305 (IBSC, KUN,
PE).
Ecology and Distribution: In the seasonal rain forests along the valley, alt. 200–1200 m.
Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malay Peninsula. New to China.
Pollen morphology: Pollen grains nearly elliptic or oblong, 15.6–17.3×9.3–9.9 μm in
size, polar view obtusely triangular, colpi 3, shallow, zones 3, ring-like, protuberant from
exine, elliptic, termination truncate, and inside ca. 9×2.7 μm in size (Fig. 2: A–D). The
voucher specimen is L. M. Zhou 305 (KUN).
Seed morphology: Seeds obtusely triangular, 450–600 μm long, embryo basal, dark in
LM, other parts saccate, slightly dark in LM, outside with dense fine strumae, termination
truncate and with sparse thick strumae (Fig. 2: E, F). The voucher specimen is Lüchun
Expedition of Yunnan Forestry School 95 (KUN).
The species is mainly characterized by the broad wings along petioles, flowers clustered
in small umbels near the ends of the inflorescence branchlets, and long-hastate anthers with
short spurs at the base. The wings along branchlets and peduncles reveal that it is very similar
to the following new species, viz. Oxyspora teretipetiolata.
2. Oxyspora teretipetiolata (C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui, comb. et stat.
nov. ——Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata C. Y. Wu & C. Chen in Fl.
Yunnan. 2: 93, pl. 25, fig. 1. 1979; et in Fl. Reip. Pop. Sin. 53 (1): 164, pl. 37, fig. 1. 1984.
Type: China. Yunnan (云南): Jinping (金平), Sino-Russ. Unit. Yunnan Exped. (中苏联合考
察云南队) 701 (KUN!).
翅茎尖子木 Fig. 3
No. 4 CHEN et al.: Additional notes on Melastomataceae of China 589

Fig. 1. Oxyspora curtisii King. A, plant; B, flower; C, face view of stamen; D, ventral view of stamen; E, fruit. Drawn
by Y. T. Liu from S. K. Wu et al. 1069 (KUN) (A, E) and L. M. Zhou 305 (KUN) (B, C, D).
Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica Vol. 45 590

Fig. 2. The SEM observation of pollen grains and seeds of Oxyspora curtisii King and Oxyspora teretipetiolata (C. Y.
Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui in Melastomataceae. A–F, Oxyspora curtisii. A, Pollen grains. B, Face view
of pollen. C, Lateral view of a pollen grain. D, Polar view of a pollen grain. E, Seed. F, Strumae of testa at the termination
of seed. G–L, Oxyspora teretipetiolata. G, Pollen. H, Face view of a pollen grain. I, Lateral view of a pollen grain. J, Polar
view of pollen. K, Seed. L, Strumae of testa at the middle of a seed. A–D, from L. M. Zhou 305 (KUN); E, F, from Lüchun
Expedition of Yunnan Forestry School 95 (KUN); G–L, from Y. M. Shui et al. 43548 (KUN).

China. Yunnan (云南): Hekou (河口), Y. M. Shui et al. (税玉民等) 43548 (IBSC,
KUN, PE); Jinping (金平), Sino-Russ. Unit. Yunnan Exped. (中苏联合考察云南队) 701,
1769 (KUN), Z. K. Zhou et al. (周浙昆等) 608 (KUN).
Additional description: Inflorescences 18–26 cm long, peduncle 4-winged, scorpioid
dichotomous branching. Hypanthium ovoid, 8-ribbed, ca. 4 mm long, puberulous, calyx rim
with 4 widely ovate cusps to 0.5 mm long. Petals ca. 5 mm long, ovate, pink. Stamens 8, 7–8
mm long, anthers pinkish, long-oblong, ca. 3.5 mm long without short spur on the base.
Ecology and Distribution: In bush on the open slope or on riverside in the dense bamboo
forest of the deep valley, alt. 400–800 m. Endemic to China (Yunnan: Hekou and Jinping).
Type collected from Yunnan (Jinping).
Pollen morphology: Pollen grains nearly ovate, 11–12×6.7–7 μm in size, polar view
6-lobate-circular, colpi 3, deep, zones 3, ring-like, protuberant from exine, termination acute,
and inside ca. 7.5×2.2 μm (Fig. 2: G–J). The voucher specimen is Y. M. Shui et al. 43548
(KUN).
Seed morphology: Seeds narrowly oblong or sea-cucumber-like, ca. 500 μm long,
embryo basal, dark under LM, other part saccate, slightly dark under LM, outside densely
covered with both fine and thick strumae, termination obtuse (Fig. 2: K, L). The voucher
No. 4 CHEN et al.: Additional notes on Melastomataceae of China 591
specimen is Y. M. Shui et al. 43548 (KUN).
Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata was established on fruiting
specimens (Chen, 1979). Flowering collections now available revealed that the variety is
distinct from A. eupteroton (which is a synonym of Oxyspora curtisii King; above). It differs
from A. eupteroton in the inflorescences and flowers (Figs. 1, 3). Specifically, O.
teretipetiolata has an ovoid hypanthium, scorpioid dichotomous branching inflorescences, and
long-hastate anthers without short spurs at the base, while A. eupteroton (= O. curtisii) has
wide wings on the petioles, a cylindrical hypanthium, verticillate inflorescences and
infructescences, and long-oblong anthers with short spurs at the base.



Fig. 3. Oxyspora teretipetiolata (C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui. A, lateral view of flower; B,
longitudinal section of flower; C, petal; D, lateral view of stamen; E, dorsal view of anther; F, ventral view of anther.
Drawn by Y. M. Shui, and redrawn by R. M. Zhang. From Z. K. Zhou et al. 608.


The SEM observations of the pollen grains and seeds provide further evidence to
diagnose the species in the family Melastomataceae. The polar view of pollen of O. curtisii is
more obtusely triangular, with shallow colpi and truncate termination, while the polar view of
pollen of O. teretipetiolata is nearly 6-lobate-circular, with deeper colpi and acute
termination. Seeds of O. curtisii are obtusely triangular, truncate at the apex and with small
and dense strumae on the whole surface and big and sparse ones only on the termination,
while seeds of O. teretipetiolata is like sea cucumber, obtuse at the apex and with both small
and big strumae on the whole surface (Fig. 2). So, the obvious difference shows that
Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata C. Y. Wu & C. Chen is not
conspecific to Allomorphia eupteroton Guillaumin (the synonym of O. curtisii). Although the
variety was described in China (Chen, 1979, 1984), O. curtisii is a species newly reported in
China.
Pollen grains and seeds of more species need to be examined to evaluate the
relationships between Allomorphia and Oxyspora in the future. Under LM, one other species
of Allomorphia that has been studied (A. balansae Cogn.) has pollen grains that are long
globose, with an obtusely triangular polar view, 12(11–13)×10(9–10) μm in size, with
Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica Vol. 45 592
threadlike 3-colpi, while one species of Oxyspora that has been studied (O. paniculata (D.
Don.) DC.) has pollen grains that are long globose, with a 6-lobate-circular global polar view,
17(16–19)×13(12–15) μm in size (Institute of Botany and South China Institute of Botany,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1982). On the one hand, the comparison with SEM
observation shows that SEM observation provides more subtle structure than LM does. On the
other hand, the four species mentioned have not only obvious difference but also some
unanimousness. So, further SEM observation of pollen grains and seeds of more species may
be significant for delimitation of genera in Melastomataceae.
Acknowledgements Many thanks to Prof. Susanne S. RENNER of the University of
Munich in Germany and Dr. Nicholas J. TURLAND of Missouri Botanical Garden in U.S.A.
for perfecting the manuscript. We also thank Prof. TAO De-Ding of Kunming Institute of
Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), for his good suggestions to classification.
Thanks also go to Mr. LIU Yi-Tao in Kunming institute of Botany, CAS, for his drawing.
Miss WEI Zhi-Dan gave her help when the experiments carried through. This work was
supported by the following foundations: the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province
of China, Grant No. 2001C22Q, the Taxonomy and Flora Special Foundation of CAS, and
Project of the Glory for Western China of CAS.
References
Chen C (陈介). 1979. Melastomataceae. In: Flora Yunnanica (云南植物志). Beijing: Science Press. 2: 93–94.
Chen C (陈介). 1984. Melastomataceae. In: Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (中国植物志). Beijing:
Science Press. 53 (1): 164.
Guillaumin A. 1921. Melastomataceae. In: Lecomte M H ed. Flore Générale de l’Indochine. Paris: Masson et
Cie, Editeurs. 2: 902–908.
Ho P H. 1992. An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam. Santa Ana: Mekong Printing. 2: 90–94.
Institute of Botany and South China Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院植物研究
所古植物孢粉室及华南植物研究所形态研究室). 1982. Angiosperm Pollen Flora of Tropic and
Subtropical China (中国热带亚热带被子植物花粉形态). Beijing: Science Press. 203–208, pl. 96: 9–12,
97: 25–29.
Maxwell J F. 1982. Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Oxyspora DC., Anerincleistus Korth., Poikilogyne
Baker f., and Allomorphia Bl. (Melastomataceae, tribe Oxysporeae). Gardens’ Bulletin, Singapore 35:
209–226.
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中国野牡丹科植物补充订正
1陈文红 1税玉民 2周鲁们
1(中国科学院昆明植物研究所 昆明 650204)
2(绿春黄连山国家级自然保护区 云南绿春 662500)

摘要 报道了中国野牡丹科Melastomataceae尖子木属Oxyspora一新记录种——柑叶尖子木O. curtisii
King,并绘制了特征线条图。另基于花序和花特征的不同 , 将翅茎异形木Allomorphia eupteroton
Guillaumin var. teretipetiolata C. Y. Wu & C. Chen由变种提升为种, 归入尖子木属, 即翅茎尖子木
Oxyspora teretipetiolata (C. Y. Wu & C. Chen) W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui, 并补充描述了其花部特征。通过
扫描电镜观察了它们的花粉和种子形态, 为分类处理提供了佐证。
关键词 野牡丹科; 柑叶尖子木; 新记录; 翅茎尖子木; 新组合; 中国