Elephantopus scaber var. scaber

Bunwong, Sukhonthip, Chantaranothai, Pranom & Keeley, Sterling C., 2014, Revisions and key to the Vernonieae (Compositae) of Thailand, PhytoKeys 37, pp. 25-101 : 69-70

Elephantopus scaber var. scaber

Description.

Perennial herbs, 10-40 cm tall. Stems lacking except for the flowering scape, erect, terete, inconspicuously ribbed, sericeous. Leaves in basal rosette at base, 8-20 by 3-5 cm, obovate or obovate-lanceolate, margin crenate or serrate, apex obtuse or acute, base attenuate, subcoriaceous; upper surface sparsely pilose without glands, lower surface densely pilose with filiform and cylindrical hairs and capitate glands; lateral veins 12-15-paired; petioles up to 2 cm long. Capitulescences terminal, scapose. Foliose bracts 3, deltoid. Capitula 8-10 mm long. Receptacle flat, ca. 0.5 mm in diam., glabrous. Involucres green with purple apex, 7-10 mm long, 2-3 mm in diam. Phyllaries decussate, margin entire or piliferous, outer surface pilose, without glands; the outer lanceolate, apex acuminate to acuminate; the inner ones oblong, apex acuminate. Florets 4; corollas salverform, purple, zygomorphic, glabrous; corolla tubes 3-3.5 mm long; corolla lobes 1.5-2 mm long. Anthers ca. 2 mm long, apical appendage acute, base acute. Styles purple, 7-8 mm long, branches ca. 0.5 mm long. Achenes 2.5-3 mm long, pubescent with dense twin hairs, lacking glands, inconspicuously ribbed. Pappus of 5 bristles with dilated bases in one series.

Distribution.

Thailand: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri, Chantaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Songkhla. Pantropics.

Specimens examined.

Thailand, Sakon Nakhon, Phu Phan national park, 17°4.0'N, 103°58.0'E, 6 Oct 2007, S. Bunwong 334 (KKU, US); Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, 20 Nov 2000, W. Pongamornkul 563 (QBG); Chiang Mai, 18 Oct 1979, T. Shimizu, H. Toyokuni, H. Koyama, T. Yahama & T. Santisuk T-19344 (BKF); San Kam Phang, 22 Oct 1996, J.F. Maxwell 96-1380 (BKF); Doi Inthanon, 16 Dec 1965, M. Tagawa, K. Iwatsuki & N. Fukuoka T-2297 (BKF); Mae Rim, 13 Oct 1998, W. Pongamornkul 345 (QBG); Chiang Rai, Doi Langka, 20 Dec 1965, K. Iwatsuki & N. Fukuoka T3562 (BKF, L), 29 Jun 1997, T. Smitinand s.n. (BKF); Nan, Doi Phu Kha national park, 12 Dec 2002, P. Srisanga 2618 (QBG); Sukhothai, 4 Nov 1971, J.F. Maxwell 71-687 (AAU, BK, BKF); Phetchabun, Nam Nao national park, 26 Dec 1972, H. Koyama, H. Terao, C. Niyomdham & Th. Wongprasert T-31745 (BKF); Loei, Na Haew, Phu Suan Sai, 6 Nov 2007, S. Bunwong 349 (KKU, US); Phu Rue, 12 Dec 1996, W. Nanakorn et al. 8171 (QBG); Mukdahan, Ban Dong Mun, 12 Dec 1982, H. Koyama, H. Terao, C. Niyomdham & Th. Wongprasert T-30910 (BKF); Maha Sarakham, Wa Pee Pathum, 31 Oct 1965, S. Sutheesorn 697 (BK); Nakhon Ratchasima, Pak Thong Chai, 8 Jun 1982, Pradit 601 (BK); Buri Ram, 5 Oct 1984, G. Murata, C. Phengklai, S. Mitsuta, T. Yahara, H. Nagamasu & N. Nantasan T-37560 (AAU, BKF); Surin, 8 Jun 1982, Y. Paisooksantivatana & S. Sutheesorn 959-82 (BK); Ubon Ratchathani, Phu Pra Bath historical park, 29 Sep 2007, S. Bunwong 325 (KKU, US); Kanchanaburi, Si Sa Wat, Arawan, 26 Nov 1982, H. Koyama, H. Terao, C. Niyomdham & Th. Wongprasert T-30363 (BKF); Trat, Koh Chang, 22 Oct 1972, J.F. Maxwell 72-493 (BK), Koh Good, 20 Oct 2000, C. Phengklai 13153 (BKF); Chumphon, Sa Wi, 2 jan 1974, S. Sutheesorn 2794 (BK); Nakhon Si Thammarat, Wat Kiriwong, 23 Jan 1966, M. Tagawa, K. Iwatsuki & N. Fukuoka T-5382 (BKF); Trang, Khao Chong, 8 Dec 1969, B. Sangkhachand 2218 (BK); Songkhla. Had Yai, Thon Nga Chang, 29 Jan 1979, G. Congdon 345 (AAU).

Diagnostic characters.

This plant is characterized by having basal rosette of leaves and spiciform capitulescence with conspicuous scape. Its leaf shape is variable.

Ecology.

Open area in dipterocarp, evergreen or pine-oak forest, alt. 0-300 m; flowering August to January.

Vernacular name.

Doo Mai Ru Lom (โด่ไม่รู้ล้ม), Kee Fai Nok Khum (ขี้ไฟนกคุ่ม), Ya Kai Nok Khum (หญ้าไก่นกคุ่ม), Ya Prab (หญ้าปราบ), Ya Sam Sib Song Hab (หญ้าสามสิบสองหาบ), Nat Pha (หนาดผา) Ta Che Go Wa (ตะชีโกวะ), Nat Mee Klan (หนาดมีแคลน).