| English Name | Multi-branched Sciaphila |
|---|---|
| Status in China | Critically Endangered (CR) |
Description:
Saprophytic monoecious herbs. Stem slender, simple, reddish, 5-6 cm high. Leaves alternate, reduced into scales. Flowers unisexual; tepals 6, ovate to ovate-lanceolate; male flowers with 2 or 3 stamens; female flowers with numerous papillate carpels; style terminal, linear. Follicle dehiscent; mature carpels rostrate spine at base.
Distribution:
Tai Mo Shan. This species was first collected and described by N. Fukuyama & T. Suzuki in 1936 from Taiwan. Since then, it has not been found again till recently in Tai Mo Shan of Hong Kong.
Habitat and Ecology:
On litters under forests. Flowering and fruiting: Aug.
Its rarity makes this species of significance in studies of biology, metabolism and floristic characteristics of saprophytes. The small populations size is susceptible to destruction of habitat. In Hong Kong, the species exists in Country Parks and thus protection of its habitats is secured.
References:
Fukuyama & Suzuki, 1936: Journal of Japanese Botany 12: 410. Plate 1: 1, 2.
Giesen, H., 1938: Engl's Pflan.-reich. 104 (IV. 18): 69.
周淩雲等，1992：中國植物誌8：191。科學出版社，北京。
吳德鄰等，2000：熱帶亞熱帶植物學報8(2)：157。
