| English Name | Lantau Star-anise |
|---|---|
| Status in China | Endangered (EN) |
Description:
Small tree, up to 3 m high. Leaves 4-6 pseudo-verticillate on apex of branches, leathery, oblong-elliptic, 7-12 cm long, 2.5-4.2 cm wide, apex nearly acuminate, base attenuate, yellowish green adaxially and brown abaxially when dry, margin entire and slightly revolute. Flowers axillary; bracts numerous, leaf-like, broadly ovate or oblong; peduncles 1.2-1.4 cm; tepals 22-24, membranous, narrowly oblong, 1.4-1.5 cm long; stamens c. 24, in 2 whorls; ovaries ovoid, 1.3-1.7 mm long, styles subulate, 2.2-2.5 mm long.
Distribution:
Sunset Peak, Lantau Peak; endemic to Hong Kong.
Habitat and Ecology:
In evergreen broad-leaved forest. Flowering: Feb.; fruiting: Aug.
First discovered in 1905 in Lantau Peak, this endemic species has a restricted distribution with only a few discrete stands, and is thus of special botanical interests. Its fruits and leaves contain essential oil with potential uses. All localities of its occurrence are within Country Parks under protection.
References:
Smith, A. C., 1947: Sargentia 7: 36.
張本能，1996：中國植物誌30（1）：207。 科學出版社，北京。
