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| Breynia aberrans R.W.Bouman, Welzen & Tagane, in Bouman, R.W.; van Welzen, P.C. et Tagane, S. 2026. |
Abstract
Based on molecular and morphological data a new species of Breynia, Breynia aberrans, is described from Kaeng Krachan National Park (SW Thailand), along the Thai border with Myanmar. An earlier published phylogenetic reconstruction of two nuclear (ITS, PHYC) and three chloroplast markers (matK, accD-psaI, trnS-trnG) placed the new species in Breynia subgenus Sauropus. Typical are the asperities along the branches on one side, the shape of the leaf blades and the pistillate flowers with a long-ovoid ovary ending in a sturdy style and three upright stigmas. This type of pistillate flower is rather unique within Breynia and almost certainly not pollinated by Epicephala moths.
Keywords: Asperities; Breynia; New species; Phyllantheae; Pistillate flowers; Pollination
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| Drawing of Breynia aberrans R.W.Bouman, Welzen & Tagane. a. Habit. b. Young staminate inflorescence. c. Pistillate inflorescence, note the single row of asperities. d. Fruit columella (D.J. Middleton, C. Hemrat, S. Lindsay, S. Suddee & S. Suwanachat 1715, L). Illustration by Hilde Orye, 2026. |
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| Breynia aberrans R.W.Bouman, Welzen & Tagane. a. Habit showing the regularly spaced leaves along the branchlets. b. Detail of the underside of leaves. c. Pistillate flowers hanging under the branchlets. Photos by Shuichiro Tagane. |
Breynia aberrans R.W.Bouman, Welzen & Tagane, sp. nov.
Shrub, monoecious, with phyllanthoid branching. Staminate flowers (young): tepals 6, 3 inner slightly infolded, scales lacking, stamens 3, filaments likely united into androphore, anthers large, along androphore, overtopping latter. Pistillate flowers: tepals 6, disc lacking, ovary ovoid spindle-shaped, style distinct, stigmas 3, upright, spreading, bifid in upper part, apices somewhat recurved and flattened
Etymology — The epithet refers to the aberrant ovary shape, so far unknown within Breynia.
Vernacular name — ใต้ใบ (tai bai).
Bouman, R.W.; van Welzen, P.C. and Tagane, S. 2026. A New and exceptional Species of Breynia (Phyllanthaceae, Phyllantheae) from southwestern Thailand. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2026.70.03.03 [September 1, 2026]
