Camellia kissi var. kissi

Zhao, Dongwei, 2024, Taxonomic revision of Camellia (Theaceae) in Thailand, PhytoKeys 239, pp. 29-57 : 29

4a. Camellia kissi var. kissi

Description.

Shrubs or trees up to 9 m tall. New branchlets puberulous; terminal buds puberulous or glabrous. Petioles 2-7 mm long, puberulous; leaf blades elliptic, oblong or obovate, 3-13.5 × 1.5-5 cm, coriaceous, abaxially yellowish green and sparsely puberulous or glabrous, adaxially dark green, hirsute along midrib, midrib abaxially elevated and adaxially slightly impressed or flat, secondary veins 6-11 on each side of midrib, base attenuate, cuneate or rounded, margin serrate, apex attenuate, acuminate or caudate. Flowers 2-4.5 cm in diam., subsessile. Bracteoles and sepals 5-12, caducous, crescent to broadly ovate, 1.5-7 × 2.5-9 mm, abaxially glabrous, puberulous or pubescent, adaxially glabrous, margin ciliolate. Petals 5-6, white, elliptic or obovate, 8-25 × 4-17 mm, abaxially glabrous, puberulous or pubescent at apex, adaxially glabrous. Stamens numerous, 4-9 mm long; filaments yellow, glabrous, basally connate for 1-2 mm. Ovary globose, pubescent. Styles 3, basally connate, 2-7 mm long, basally pubescent and gradually becoming glabrous apically. Capsule globose or ovoid, 1-3 cm in diam., 1.5-3.5 cm in height, 1-3-loculed with 1-3 seeds; pericarp 0.5-1.5 mm thick. Seeds brown or black, hemispherical, polyhedral or globose, 1-2 cm in diam., glabrous Fig. 5 .

Phenology.

Flowering October-February, fruiting March-August.

Distribution and habitat.

Camellia kissi occurs in evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, usually by streams, at elevations of 50-2150 m in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand (Fig. 2 ), and Vietnam.

Additional specimens examined.

Chiang Mai: Chom Thong, Doi Inthanon, 3 December 1964, Bunchuai 1420 (BKF SN060820), from 23 km point on the main road to Bang Nong Lum, ca. 1100 m, 16 February 1998, Konta et al. 4312 (BKF); Mae Chaem, Doi Inthanon, 1700 m, 24 December 1996, Hara A178 (BKF SN173304).

Chanthaburi: Soi Dao, Khao Soi Dao, ca. 1400 m, 13 December 1924, Kerr 9651 (BK 203727, BM, C).

Kamphaeng Phet: Pang Sila Thong, Mae Wong, 900-1140 m, 14 June 1995, Niyomdham et al. 4379 (BKF).

Kanchanaburi: Sai Yok, Chongkhaosoong, ca. 900 m, 12 August 1995, Wongprasert s.n. (BKF SN112557); Tong-pha-phum, E-tong, 28 January 2001, Veesommai 1.38 (BKF SN145916).

Khon Kean: Phu Wiang, Tap Phaya Suea, 1 December 2003, Mattapha 472 (KKU), 16°37'58"N, 102°12'59"E, 430 m, 22 December 2015, Zhao et al. 137 (BKF, KKU, KUN, TCD).

Loei: Dan Sai, Phu Lom Lo, 1500-1600 m, 8 April 1922, Kerr 5782 (BK 203732, BM, C); Phu Kradueng, ca. 1200 m, 12 March 1924, Kerr 8695 (BK 203922, BM), 16°53'-54'N, 101°47'-49'E, 31 October 1984, Mitsuta et al. T-40368 (BKF SN107567) & T-42270 (BKF SN060860), Pha Nok En, 1 September 1988, Fukuoka T-63791 (BKF SN103457), summit plateau, trail from Than Sawan to Tham Sor Nue waterfall, 1100-1200 m, 12 September 1990, Chantaranothai et al. 90/143 (K); Phu Ruea, 1300 m, 4 May 1997, Pooma 1550 (BKF), Phu Luang, 16 June 2004, Bunwong 296 (KKU), Khoknokkraba, ca. 950 m, 17 November 2000, Wongprasert 11-13 (BKF SN133293); Wang Saphung, Phu Luang, 15 April 1968, Chermsirivathana 899 (BK 203742).

Nakhon Nayok: Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Khao Yai, 14°26'10"N, 101°22'28"E, 730 m, 8 May 2003, Charoenchai & Phomphuang 399 (BK 263128, CMUB 26064); Pak Phli, Khao Yai, 14°21'N, 101°22'E, 1200-1300 m, 29 October 1970, Charoenphol et al. 4205 (BKF SN060889).

Nakhon Ratchasima: Pak Chong, Khao Yai, ca. 600 m, 11 August 1974, Maxwell 74-786 (BK 203724), Orchid waterfall, 600-750 m, 18 November 1982, Koyama et al. T-30008 (BKF SN060882), Haew Suwat waterfall, 700-730 m, 19 November 1982, Koyama et al. T-30110 (BKF SN060881), 14°26'10"N, 101°22'29"E, 730 m, 7 October 2002, Charoenchai & Phomphuang 343 (BK 263207, CMUB 26356).

Nakon Si Thammarat: Lan Saka, Khao Luang, 950-1000 m, 25 May 1968, Beusekom & Phengkhlai 1002 (BKF SN060906, C).

Nan: Pua, Doi Phukha, 1700 m, 26 June 2008, Pooma & Tamura 7113 (BKF SN188552).

Phang-Nga: Khao Pawta Luang Keow, 900-1000 m, Geesink et al. 7690 (BKF SN060902).

Phetchaburi: Kaeng Krachan, Panoen Thung Ranger Substation, 12°52'12"N, 99°22'12"E, 123 m, 26 January 2005, Williams et al. 1112 (K), summit of Khao Phanoen Thung, 12°52'5"N, 99°22'20"E, 1240 m, 8 May 2005, Middleton et al. 3271 (BKF SN168267, E 00226065).

Phitsanulok: Chat Trakan , Phu Soi Dao , 1600 m, 14 August 2000, Suksanthan 2684 (QBG 19436); Nakhon Thai, on the way to the headquarters of Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, 16°57'5"N, 101°1'24"E, 1600 m, 9 November 2015, Zhao et al. 71 (BKF, TCD) .

Prachin Buri: ca. 1000 m, 4 July 1924, Kerr 10824 (BK 203739); Khao Yai, at the Heo Suwat Falls, 750 m, 8 July 1966, Larsen et al. 99 (C).

Ranong: 50 m, 17 November 1973, Santisuk 597 (C); Muang Len, 160 m, 11 January 1966, Hansen & Smitinand 11909 (BKF SN060905, C); Suk Samran, Khlong Na kha, ca. 9°45'N, 98°40'E, 50 m, 22 June 1974, Geesink et al. 7381 (K) & 7404 (C, K).

Sakon Nakhon: Phu Phan, 19 November 1962, Suwanakoset 1916 (BKF, K), ca. 30 km SW of Sakonnakhon city, ca. 380 m, 13 November 1984, Murata et al. T-48771 (BKF SN060859), Huay Yai waterfall, 22 June 2003, Chantaranothai et al. s.n. (KKU); Sawang Daen Din, Ban Thon, 1 December 1962, Adisai 194 (BK 203726).

Si Sa Ket: Kantharalak, Phanom Dongrak, 200 m, 25 November 2005, Suddee et al. 2632 (BKF SN181662, QBG 29057), Sao Thongchai Phulaor Falls, Phanom Dongrak WS, trail to waterfalls, 200 m, 22 December 2005, Pooma et al. 6068 (BKF SN183620, K).

Surin: Mueang Surin, Arloor-Doonban Community Forest, 124 m, 3 February 2008, Petrmitr 840 (CMUB 29794).

Udon Thani: Na Yung, Phu Luang, 1050-1300 m, 8 January 1966, Hennipman 3556 (BKF SN060870, C, K).

Uttaradit: Nam Pad, Phu Soi Dao, 1613 m, 17 November 2009, Norsaengsri & Intamusik 6145 (QBG 42661).

Notes.

Wallich’s (1820: 429) original epithet of the species, Camellia kissi , cannot be replaced by " kissii " as shown in "Flora of China" ( Ming and Bartholomew 2007), because it derived from the vernacular name (see Article 60 Ex. 21 of the Shenzhen Code, Turland et al. 2018; Zhao 2022c). Camellia kissi is the most widely distributed species of the genus in Thailand (Fig. 2 ). Edible oil can be extracted from its seeds ( Baral and Acharya 1997), which may supply unique value in the breeding of oil camellias.

Figures

Figure 2. Distribution of Camellia taxa in Thailand: C. caudata (Pink square), C. connata (Purple star), C. furfuracea (Pink plus), C. kissi (Blue dot), C. kissi var. confusa (Brown diamond), C. laotica (Red star), C. sinensis var. assamica (Green triangle), C. suddeeana (Red dot) and C. taliensis (Blue plus).

Figure 5. Camellia kissi A habitat B, C branches with flowers D a dissected flower E a mature fruit with a single seed. Scale bars: 5 cm (B); 1 cm (D, E). The minimum graduation of the ruler in C represents 1 mm.