Bergera koenigii

Mou, Feng-Juan, Hu, Xiu, Ha, Bui Thu & Cuong, Nguyen Manh, 2023, Taxonomic revision of Bergera J. Koenig ex L. (Rutaceae) based on the molecular phylogeny and morphology, European Journal of Taxonomy 860, pp. 141-180 : 160-162

Bergera koenigii L.

Fig. 7

Bergera koenigii L., Mantissa Plantarum Vol. 2: 563 ( Linnaeus 1771). – Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng., Systema Vegetabilium 2: 315 ( Sprengel 1825). – Chalcas koenigii (L.) Kurz, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 44 (2): 132 ( Kurz 1875). – Type: INDIA • Eastern; J.G. Koenig s.n.; lectotype: LINN[No. 548.1] image!. Designated by Coode (1979).

Murraya foetidissima Teijsm. & Binn., Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië 27: 41 ( Teijsmann & Binnendijk 1864). – Type: INDONESIA • Java, Bantam; Anonymous s.n.; holotype: L [ L.2127420] image !.

Etymology

The species is named after Johann Gerhard Koenig, who collected the type specimen.

Material examined

BANGLADESH • Sylhet; W. Gomez Cat. no. 6370 G; K image!.

CHINA • Yunnan Province; Kunming Work Station of Institute of Botany 1082; PE image ! • P. Y. Mao 5669; KUN ! • B. Y. Qiu 56094, 56848, 56882; KUN ! • 18 Aug. 1959; S. J. Pei 9385; KUN ! • Lüchun; 31 May 1974; Lüchun Expedition 1268, 1280, 1300, 1301; KUN ! • Lüchun Expedition 1300; IBSC ! • Mengla ; 11 Dec. 1959; S. J. Pei 10893; KUN ! • Mar. 1964; Y. H. Li 005231; IBK!, KUN!, IBSC ! • 18 Apr. 1994; H. P. He H98041802-1 ; KUN ! • Mengyuan ; 14 Mar. 1959; Y. H. Li 1004; HITBC!, KUN ! • 22 Apr. 1964; Y. H. Li 4884; IBK!, IBSC!, HITBC!, KUN ! • 17 May 1982; Expedition 32503; HITBC ! • Yiwu; 19 May 1982; S. Q. Tong & A. M. Li 82813; HITBC!, KUN ! • 23 Apr. 1998; D.D. Tao et al. 9831; KUN ! • 26 Jan. 2015; F. J. Mou 446; SWFC ! • Menglun ; 22 Mar. 1959; Y. H. Li 945; HITBC!, KUN ! • 19 May 1959; Y. H. Li 1323; HITBC ! • 22 Apr. 1960; Y. H. Li 1859; HITBC!, KUN!, IBSC ! • 3 May 1961; Y. H. Li 3071; HITBC!, KUN ! • 27 Jun. 1977; Biological department of Yunnan University 1246; YUKU ! • 13 May 1986; X. F. Gao 134; KUN ! • 2007; F. J. Mou 47; IBSC ! • 2008; F. J. Mou 175, 191; IBSC ! • 10 Apr. 2017; F. J. Mou 567; SWFC ! • Jinghong ; 9 May 1953; L. Z. Shen 112; KUN ! • Menghan ( Ganlanba ); D. L. Li 2085; SWFC ! • 3 May 1955; G. M. Feng 20050; IBSC!, KUN!, LBG image ! • 15 Apr. 1957; China-Soviet Expedition 9311; KUN!, IBSC!, PE image ! • 8 May 1959; Anonymous L01750 ; KUN ! • Mengyang ; 5 Jul. 1986; R. S. Guo 00737; IMDY ! • Simao; 11 May 2012; Simao General Expedition 5308020255; IMDY ! • Liushun ; 11 Apr. 2017; F. J. Mou 569; SWFC ! • Ning’er, Xiaoheijiang ; 3 Mar. 1990; G. D. Tao 41526; HITBC ! • Shiping ; 8 May 2013; C. Liu et al. 13 CS635 ; KUN ! • Yuangyang, Nansha; 11 Nov. 1973; D.D. Tao 1332; KUN ! • Yuanjiang ; 21 Apr. 1984; S. G. Wu 84006; KUN ! • 4 Jul. 1988; Y. Tang 1031; KUN ! • 4 Jun. 2012; Yuanjiang General Expedition 5304280505; IMDY ! • Wutaishan ; 5 May 1984; G. D. Tao 37887; HITBC ! • Dashuiping ; 17 Mar. 2011; Q. R. Liu 2011-0317-007, 2011-0317-020; BNU image ! • Xinping; 9 May 1990; Yüxi Expedition 2622; KUN ! • Eshan, Huanian ; 5 Jul. 1954; P. Y. Mao 4390; KUN!, IBSC ! • Shuangbai ; C. J. Wang 60; SWFC ! • Jinggu; 30 Apr. 1955; China-Soviet Expedition 6235; IBSC!, PE image ! • Zhenkang (Chen-Kang Hsien); Mar. 1936; C. W. Wang 72124; KUN!, IBSC!, NAS image ! • Yongde, Daxueshan ; 22 Apr. 2003; E. D. Liu 290, 302; KUN ! • 5 Jul. 2005; E.D. Liu et al. 997; KUN ! • Fengqing ( Shunning ); 22 Jun. 1938; T. T. Yü 16414; KUN!, PE image ! • Baoshan; 19 May1955; China-Soviet Expedition 05669; PE image ! • Longyang, Lujiang; Yaozhi Team 6; KUN ! • Jianshui ( Kien-shuei Hsien ); 22 Apr. 1933; H. T. Tsai 53247; KUN!, PE image ! • Mangshi; 31 Mar. 1985; Spice Plant Expedition 85-41; KUN ! • Hainan Province; G. A. Fu 5341; IBSC ! • Sanya; 26 Jul. 1932; S. K. Lau 319; IBSC!, SYS!, LBG image!, NAS image!, PE image!, N image!, AU image ! • 9 Jul. 1933; K. Z. Hou 12180; IBK ! • K. Z. Hou 70990; IBSC ! • 12 Mar. 1956; The General investigation 901; IBSC ! • Wanning ; 28 May 1988; Z. X. Li et al 4721; IBSC ! • Macao, cultivated; 30 Nov. 2003; H. G. Ye and F. W. Xing 9320; IBSC !.

INDIA • J. G. Koenig s.n.; LINN [548.2] image!, possible isolectoype of B. koenigii according to Mabberley (2016) • Jan. 1881; G. King s.n.; L image ! • Coromandel ; J. G. König s.n.; BM image ! • Assam; F. Jenkins s.n.; L image ! • 1893; King’s collector G. s.n.; L image! • Lakhipur ; Apr. 1950; T. R. Chand 3120; L image ! • Phulbari, Garo Hills ; Apr. 1950; T. R. Chand 3102; L image ! • Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur, Doma ; Feb. 1968; G. Panigrahi 10684; L image ! • Bengal ; J. D. Hooker s.n.; L image ! • Jan. 1861; W. Griffith 5303; L image ! • Tiruchi, Thuraiyur taluk Pacchaimalaise , Kannimar shola; Jul. 1979; K. M. Matthew 24099; L image ! • Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad ; Mar. 1964; G. Panigrahi & O. P. Misra 2776; U image ! • Kumaon ; R. Blinkworth Cat. no. 6370 G; K image ! • Gingee ; Sep. 1826; s. coll. Cat. no. 6370D; K image ! • s. coll. Cat. no. 6370 A; K image! • s. coll. Cat. no. 6370 B; K image! • s. coll. Cat. no. 6370 C; K image! • s. coll. Cat. no. 6370 E; K image! • s. coll. Cat. no. 6370 G; K image!.

INDONESIA – Java • F. W. Junghuhn s.n.; L image ! • F. A. C. Waitz s.n.; L image ! • Jun. 1904; C. A. Backer 71; L image ! • Oct. 1929; C. A. Backer 37232; L image ! • Archipel. Ind. Java Res. Batavia Tandjong Priok ; R. C. Bakhuizen van den Brink Jr 2365; U image ! • Kalkheuvels ten westen van Grissee by Sitinggi; Oct. 1940; J. H. Coert 4014; L image ! • Insula, N. Sumatra, Medan; Apr. 1931; J. A. Lörzing 16342; L image ! • Batavia, kust O. van Pasar Ikan; Feb. 1948; P. van der Meer & G. den Hoed 2078; L image !.

LAOS • Pac Bac pres de L. Prabaug; E. Poilane 2050; L image ! • Xayaboury , Ban Na La; Jun. 2001; K. Kone 248; L image !.

MALAYSIA • Along Kuah roadside; Feb. 1983; K. Khairuddin KEP FRI 31831 ; L image !.

MYANMAR • 8 Aug. 1898; J. H. Lace 1816; E image ! • 20 Mar. 1914; C. G. Rogers 203; E image !.

PALAU • Koror, Lizzette, Ngiraibai; D. O. Otobed P-10196; US image!.

PHILIPPINES – Luzon • Laguna, San Antonio ; Jun. 1912; M. Ramos BS 15059; L image ! • Sorsogon, Irosin ( Mt. Bulusan ); Aug. 1961; A.D. E. Elmer 16972; L image !.

SRI LANKA • Kandy District , Central Province; Jul. 1972; F. N. Hepper & G. de Silva 4705; L image ! • Matale, Nikawatuna off Dambulla ; Oct. 1974; D. B. Sumithraarachchi 530; L image ! • Anuradhapura, Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve ; Jan. 1973; A. H. M. Jayasuriya 1048; L image !.

TANZANIA • Pwani-Bagamoyo; C. Posthouwer & S. Abihudi 222; WAG image!.

THAILAND • D.D. Soejarto et al. 5834; L image ! • Nov. 1928; N. Put 2123; L image ! • Aug. 2010; J. F. Maxwell 1016; P image ! • Prachuap Khiri Khan, Amphoe Pran Buri; D. J. Middleton et al. 1139; L image ! • Prachuap Kiri Khan, Amphoe Pran Buri; M. F. Newman et al. 1133; L image ! • Lampang, Mae Ta ; Jan. 2012; J. F. Maxwell 12-8; L image!, P image ! • Kanchanaburi, Muang , Chong Sadao; Aug. 2010; J. F. Maxwell 10-16; L image !.

USA • Hawaii, Kaua’i, Koloa, Lawai Valley , National Tropical Botanical Garden; D. H. Lorence 6603 ; US image! • Florida; 23 May 1935; J. L. Fennell 4090; ECON image ! • Homestead ; 11 Oct. 1944; G. Aveue et al. 162; NY image !.

VIETNAM • Ninh Thu ận, Ca-Na; Jan. 1923; E. Poilane 9267; P image !.

Description

Shrubs or trees, up to 6 m. Branches are glabrous or slightly puberulous. Leaves are 17–31-foliolate, unpaired-pinnate; rachis usually more or less pubescent, rarely quite glabrous; petiolule short, puberulous; leaflet blades oblong-lanceolate or ovate, 2–5 × 0.5–2.0 cm, almost falcate, oblique at base, margin entire or crenulate, glabrous, midrib often puberulous. Inflorescences are terminal, many flowered. Flowers are small, white, 5-merous, and ellipsoid in the bud; sepals ovate, less than 1 mm; petals white, oblanceolate to oblong, 5–7 mm long. Stamens are alternately shorter, 10. Ovaries are 2-celled, styles short and thick; stigmas capitate. Fruits are blueish black when mature, ovoid to oblong, 1.0– 1.5 cm; 1- or 2-seeded. Seed coats are membranous.

Phenology

Flowering between March and April, while fruiting from July to August.

Distribution and habitat

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China (Hainan, Guangdong, and Yunnan Provinces), Tanzania, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is cultivated in USA. It grows in moist forests between alt. 500–1600 m.

Remarks

The natural distribution is somewhat uncertain in that it is widely cultivated and naturalized as the indispensable ‘curry leaf’ in the Indian subcontinent. Curry leaves are highly aromatic when rubbed or bruised. The species can be distinguished by the more numerous, more pubescent and small leaflets, and more compact corymbose terminal inflorescence and the pistil is much shorter than the stamens.

Figures

Fig. 7. Bergera koenigii L. A. Plants. B. Inflorescence. C. Pistil and stamens. D–E. Infructescence. F. Fruits. G. Seeds. H. Ovary crossection. Photos taken by Feng-Juan Mou in China.