Bridelia insulana Hance

Phyllanthaceae

Hance, H.F. (1877) J. Bot. 15: 337. Type: Cochinchina, in ins. Phukok, Feb. 1874, Pierre 19762; holo: BM, iso: K, P. Fide Forster (1999).

Birch, Grey; Grey Birch

Seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh.

Leaf blades to about 23 x 9 cm. Petioles short, about 0.5-0.7 cm, dark and transversely wrinkled. Leaves tending to be alternate and not spirally arranged on the twig.

Inflorescences usually shorter than the petioles. Flowers about 1.5 mm diam. Calyx lobes pubescent on the abaxial surface. Ovules 2 per locule.

Fruit about 5-10 x 3-6 mm. Cotyledons rolled lengthwise to form an open sided cylinder +/- U-shaped in transverse section.

Cotyledons broadly bilobed at the apex. At the tenth leaf stage: hairs on the underside of the leaf blade short and pale; a few hairs occur along the midrib on the upper surface of the leaf blade; stipules narrowly triangular. Seed germination time 15 to 16 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ, widespread. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 200 m. Grows in well developed coastal lowland rain forest. Also occurs in SE Asia, Malesia and Sri Lanka.

Briedelia penangiana Hook.f., The Flora of British India 5 : 272(1888), Type: PENANG; on Government Hill, Curtis. Briedelia minutiflora Hook.f., The Flora of British India 5 : 273(1888), Type: TENASSERIM, at Mergui, Griffith. DISTRIB. Celebes, Riedel; Borneo (Beccari No. 2837, Motley, Barber).