毛喉牛奶菜
Marsdenia lachnostoma Benth.
Asclepiadaceae 蘿藦科
English Name Hairy-throat Condorvine
Status in China Critically endangered (CR)

Description:

Scandent subshrubs, to 2 m tall, stems, petioles, and inflorescences thin pubescent, glabrescent. Petiole 0.6-1.7 cm; leaf blade ovate to oblong, 2.5-9 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, base rounded or subcordate, apex acute or obtuse, abaxially pale or glaucous. Inflorescences umbel-like, branched, compact, much shorter than leaves; peduncle 1-1.5 cm long, pedicel 2 mm long; sepals ovate. Corolla campanulate, 4 mm long; tube longer than lobes, throat with a very dense tuft of woolly hairs; corona lobes scalelike, ovate-lanceolate, shorter than anthers; pollinia oblong or reniform; stigma pentagonous.

Distribution:

Ma On Shan, Tung Lung Chau. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand.

Habitat and Ecology:

In thin forests or thickets. Flowering: May.

Within China, this species is only known from Hong Kong and is thus of botanical interest. The species also has potential value as an ornamental plant. In Hong Kong, its localities of occurrence are within Country Parks under protection.

References:

蔣英、李秉滔,1987:廣東植物誌1:518。廣東科技出版社。
Li, P. T., M. G. Gilbert & W. D. Stevens, 1995: Flora of China 16: 248. Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.