Acilepis principis (Gagnep.) H.Rob. & Skvarla, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 122(2): 143. 2009.

Bunwong, Sukhonthip, Chantaranothai, Pranom & Keeley, Sterling C., 2014, Revisions and key to the Vernonieae (Compositae) of Thailand, PhytoKeys 37, pp. 25-101 : 42-43

Acilepis principis (Gagnep.) H.Rob. & Skvarla, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 122(2): 143. 2009.

Vernonia principis Gagnep., Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. 25: 490. 1919.

Type.

Thailand, Molu, Prince H. d’Orleans s.n. (holotype: P!). Fig. 5F .

Description.

Perennial herbs, 0.5-2 m tall. Stems erect, conspicuously ribbed, puberulous. Leaves 10-25 by 3-8 cm, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, margin serrate, apex acute, base cuneate, subcoriaceous; upper surface scabrous without glands; lower surface scabrous with whip-shaped hairs and capitate glands, lateral veins 9-15-paired; petioles up to 10 mm long. Capitulescences terminal or axillary, paniculate. Capitula campanulate, 10-15 mm long, pedunculate. Receptacle flat, 2.5-3 mm in diam., hairy. Involucres campanulate, in 5-6 series, 7-8 mm long, 4-5 mm in diam., herbaceous. Phyllaries light green or purple apically, margin piliferous, outer surface arachnoid, eglandular; the outer and the middle ones ovate, apex aristate or apiculate; the inner ones ovate-lanceolate, apex obtuse or apiculate. Florets 20-25; corollas funnelform, purple or white, glabrous; corolla tubes 5-6 mm long; corolla lobes 3-4 mm long. Anthers purple, 3-4 mm long, apical appendage acute, base obtuse. Styles purple, 8-9 mm long, branches 3-4 mm long. Achenes subterete, 2.5-3 mm long, 10-ribbed, pubescent with twin hairs. Pappus bristles, the inner ones 7-8 mm long.

Distribution.

Thailand: Chiang Rai, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak. Endemic.

Specimens examined.

Thailand. Chiang Rai, Khun Jae, 30 Dec 1977, J.F. Maxwell 97-1540 (L); Chiang Rai, Doi Langka, 27 Dec 1965, K. Iwatsuki & N. Fukuoka T3464 (AAU, BKF); Chiang Mai, Doi Nang Ka, 16 Nov 1980, Put 3449 (BM, K); Nan, Doi Phu Kha national park, 17 Jan 2002, P. Srisanga 2392 (QBG); Doi Phu Kha national park, 1 Mar 2002, P. Srisanga, S. Sasirat, W. Pongamornkul, S. Sukiam & P. Panyachan 2483 (QBG); Lamphun, Mae Tah, 19 Nov 1993, J.F. Maxwell 93-1382 (L); Lampang, Khun Tan national park, 18°29.74'N, 99°16.20'E, 15 Jan 2008, S. Bunwong 382 (KKU, US); Tak, Doi Hua Mod, 11 Dec 1933, H.B.G Garrett 855 (BKF, E, K, L, P); Doi Hua Mod, 24 Jan, 1964, B. Hansen, G. Seidenfaden & T. Smitinand 10862 (C, K, L, P).

Diagnostic characters.

This species is similar to Acilepis kingii and Acilepis saligna in capitula shape but differs in the achenes without hair and with the upper leaves lanceolate-oblong with caudate apex or falcate shape.

Ecology.

Evergreen forest, alt. 600-1400 m; flowering December to March.

Vernacular name.

Ma Nee Nin (มณีนิล).

Figures

Figure 5. Morphology of Vernonieae in Thailand 1. A Acilepis attenuata B Acilepis divergens C Acilepis namnaoensis D Acilepis ngaoensis E Acilepis peguensis F Acilepis principis G Acilepis saligna H Acilepis silhetensis I Acilepis squarrosa.