嘉陵花
Popowia pisocarpa (Blume) Endl.
Annonaceae 番荔枝科
English Name Pea-like Fruit Popowia
Status in China Vulnerable (VU)

Description:

Shrubs or small trees, 4 m tall. Branches rusty pubescent. Leaves membranous, ovate to elliptic, 6-12 cm long and 2.5-4 cm wide, apex short-acuminate or acute, base obtuse or rounded, subglabrous except pubescent on mid-vein and lateral veins, lateral veins 6-8 pairs; petiole 2-5 mm long, pubescent. Flowers white to pale yellow, 5-6 mm in diam.; peduncles, pedicels, sepals, petals and carpels pubescent; sepals small, oval; petals ovate-triangular, outer ones ca. 2.5 mm in length and width, inner ones shorter; carpels 5-6, 1.5 mm long, puberulous. Fruiting carpels globose, 6-8 mm in diam.

Distribution:

Lam Tsuen Valley. Hainan, Guangdong. Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia.

Habitat and Ecology:

In lowland forests. Flowering: Jan.-Jul.; fruiting: Sept.-Nov.

This species is a beautiful plant with potential ornamental and medicinal value. Its fragrant flowers contain essential oil that could be extracted for perfume. AFCD has conducted seed collection for propagation and other ex-situ conservation measures.

References:

李秉滔,1991:廣東植物誌2:27,圖21。廣東科技出版社,廣州。