Euploca bracteata (R.Br.) M.W.Frohl. & M.W.Chase, Phytotaxa 434(1): 15. 2020.

Rueangsawang, Kanokorn & Chantaranothai, Pranom, 2023, A taxonomic synopsis of Heliotropiaceae and new combinations in Heliotropium from Thailand, PhytoKeys 232, pp. 189-210 : 189

1. Euploca bracteata (R.Br.) M.W.Frohl. & M.W.Chase, Phytotaxa 434(1): 15. 2020.

Fig. 2A

Heliotropium bracteatum R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 493. 1810. Type: Australia, Northern Territory, Groote Eylandt, 15 Jan 1803, Brown 2926 (lectotype, designated by Craven 1996, p. 628: BM [BM001040580!]; isolectotypes: K [K000998271!, K000998272!]).

Heliotropium marifolium var. bracteatum (R.Br.) M.R.Almeida, Fl. Maharashtra 3A: 287. 2001.

Heliotropium bracteatum var. leptostachyum Benth., Fl. Austral. 4: 451. 1869. Type: Australia, Cape York, Daemel s.n. (holotype K [K000998274!]; isotype BM [BM001040578!]).

Type.

Based on Heliotropium bracteatum R.Br.

Distribution.

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China (Hainan, Kwangtung), Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand (Fig. 1A ), Malaysia, Java, Australia.

Ecology.

Open areas in deciduous forest, dry secondary forest; 50-300 m alt., flowering and fruiting from February to October.

Specimens examined.

Thailand, Northern : Nakhon Sawan, 10 km north-west of Nakhon Sawan, 150 m alt., 21 July 1973, Murata et al. T-16587 (BKF, L). South-western: Uthai Thani, Tapoh, 4 Jan 1962, Larsen 9135 (C, K); Kanchanaburi, Sai Yok, 15 Aug 1967; Khao Pu Maklai, Nong Hoi, 10 July 1978, Phengklai et al. 4247 (BKF, K); ibid., 40 m alt., 8 July 1922, Marcan 889 (BM, K); Khao Tok, 50 m alt., 13 July 1930, Kerr 19547 (BM, BK, K, E); ibid., 50 m alt., 10 July 1930, Kerr s.n. (K); Wangpho, 15 Oct 1967, Chersmsirivathana 790 (BK). Central: Lop Buri, Lam Narai, 13 Nov 1975, Smitinand 12108 (BKF); ibid., 22 Aug 1975, Boonkurd 272 (BK); Saraburi, Phraphutthabat, 18 Sept 2004, Pooma et al. 4798 (BKF); Phu Khae, 100 m alt., 26 June 1947, Bunpheng 147 (BKF, K); Mae Nam Sak, 40 m alt., 29 May 1923, Kerr 7020 (BK, K); South-eastern: Sa Kaeo, Aranyaprathet, 9 Apr 1930, Kerr 19593 (ABD, BM, BK, BKF, E, K, L); ibid., 20 Oct 1828, Put 2073 (BK, BM). Peninsular: Trang, Palian, 20 m alt., 26 May 1976, Smitinand 12229 (BKF) .

Diagnostic characters.

Euploca bracteata is suberect, with sparsely white pubescent hairs on both leaf surfaces, subcapitate cyme inflorescence at the end of branches and sessile flower or with pedicels up to 1 mm long. This species is similar to E. marifolia , sharing a similar habit, flowers and inflorescence form, but differs in having elliptic leaves (vs. linear to lanceolate leaves in E. marifolia ).

Figures

Figure 1. Distribution of Heliotropiaceae from Thailand, based on the specimens examined.

Figure 2. Species of Euploca from Thailand A E. bracteata (R. Br.) M. W. Frohl. & M. W. Chase B E. marifolia (J. Koeenig ex Retz.) Ancy & P. Javad C-E E. ovalifolia (Forssk.) Diane & Hilger C inflorescence D dehiscing fruit separating into four nutlets A Photo by Pramote Triboun C-E Photos by Siriporn Zungsontiporn.