Heliotropium biblianum Craven, Blumea 50(2): 379. 2005.

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

1. Heliotropium biblianum Craven, Blumea 50(2): 379. 2005.

Tournefortia tetrandra Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 14: 845. 1826. Type: Java, Blume s.n. (holotype L [L0281636!]).

Tournefortia wallichii DC., Prodr. 9: 527. 1845. Type: Singapore, Penang, Wallich Numer. List 911 (holotype K-W [K00111261!]; isotypes K-W [K00111262!, K000998138!], M [M0188731 image!], GZU [GZU000106058 image!], MEL [MEL2502678 image!]).

Tournefortia tetrandra Blume var. angustifolia Moritzi, Syst. Verz. 52: 1845. Type: Java, Zollinger 939 (lectotype, designated here: K [K000998147!]; isolectotypes: K [K000998148!], BM [BM001209066 image!], FI [FI009368 image!]).

Tetrandra zollingeri Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 2: 928. 1858. Type: Java, Zollinger 395 (holotype K [K000998149!]).

Type.

Based on Tournefortia tetrandra Blume.

Distribution.

India (Nicobar Islands), Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand (Fig. 1F ), Malesia, New Guinea.

Ecology.

Deciduous forest, evergreen forest, 40-700 m alt., flowering and fruiting from April to December.

Specimens examined.

Thailand, South-eastern: Kanchanaburi, Thong Pha Phum, 700 m alt., 15 Dec 1995, FRUD & van Welzen 111 (BKF). South-western: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pa La U. trail, 260 m alt., 20 Jun 2004, Middleton et al. 2322 (BKF). Peninsular: Ranong, Kaper, 40 m alt., Shimizu et al. T-26364 (AAU, BKF); ibid., 500 m alt., 19 June 1932, Kerr 21710 (BK, BM, E, K); Surat Thani, Ko Pha-ngan, 10 Nov 1927, Put 1247 (BM, BK, E, K); ibid., 50 m alt., 3 Mar 1927, Kerr 12456 (BK, BM, E, L, K); Bandon, 2 Jan 1935, Seidenfaden 2089 (K); Phangnga, 500 m alt., 9 Dec 1928, S.N. 3994 (K, SING); Trang, Khao Pap Pa, 13 Mar 1974, Larsen & Larsen 33277 (AAU); Yan Ta Khao, Sai Roong waterfall, 400 m alt., 26 Apr 1987, Maxwell 87 - 434 (BKF, CMU, L); Phuket, Khao Pha Tao Non-Hunting Area , Bang Pae waterfall, 50 m alt., 14 Oct 2004, Gardner & Sidisunthorn 44268 (QBG) .

Vernacular.

Fa Ta Hueng (ฟ้าตาหึง).

Diagnostic characters.

Heliotropium biblianum can be recognised mainly by its tetramerous flower, acute apex leaf, thick leaves with minute tubercules on both leaf surfaces, corolla up to 8-10 mm long and globose fruit up to 8 mm in diameter. According to the label of Tournefortia tetrandra var. angustifolia , four duplicate specimens were originally collected and are preserved at BM, K and FI. The specimen at K [K000998147] is designated here as the lectotype because it is in the best condition.

Figures

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