(66) 嘉陵花
Popowia pisocarpa (Blume) Endl.
番荔枝科 (Annonaceae)
英文名
(English name): Pea-like Fruit Popowia
Status in China: Vulnerable (VU)
Description: Shrubs or small trees, 4 m tall. Branches rusty pubescent. Leaves membranous, ovate to elliptic, 6-12 cm long and 2.5-4 cm wide, apex short-acuminate or acute, base obtuse or rounded, subglabrous except pubescent on mid-vein and lateral veins, lateral veins 6-8 pairs; petiole 2-5 mm long, pubescent. Flowers white to pale yellow, 5-6 mm in diam.; peduncles, pedicels, sepals, petals and carpels pubescent; sepals small, oval; petals ovate-triangular, outer ones ca. 2.5 mm in length and width, inner ones shorter; carpels 5-6, 1.5 mm long, puberulous. Fruiting carpels globose, 6-8 mm in diam.
Distribution: Lam Tsuen Valley. Hainan, Guangdong. Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia.
Habitat and ecology: In lowland forests. Flowering: Jan.-Jul.; fruiting: Sept.-Nov.
This species is a beautiful plant with potential ornamental and medicinal value. Its fragrant flowers contain essential oil that could be extracted for perfume. AFCD has conducted seed collection for propagation and other ex-situ conservation measures.
References:
李秉滔，
1991：廣東植物誌
2：27，圖
21。廣東科技出版社，廣州。