Szekessy Vilmos (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 59. (Budapest 1967)

Pócs, t. ; Tixier, p.: On the ciliferous Syrrhopodon species in Asia

conditions of the species. For instance, FLEISCHER described a species named S. horridulus from Borneo. Examining a specimen from Singapore, identified also by FLEISCHER as 8. horridulus, we found it entirely agreeing with 8. spiculosus. The differences given by FLEISCHER (1904:208), namely the lenght of the lamina, the shape and size of the bristles on the back of the lamina, reflect the variability present within the entire area of the species, and are frequently encountered also in other exemplars. Nor is the margin of the leaf inerassate in 8. spiculosus, hence also this difference is untenable. Two further taxa, Syrrhopodon griffithii MITT, described from Singapore, and Syrrhopodon elimbatus Dix. originating from the Malay Peninsula, are two extreme cases of the variability of the laminai breadth : the lamina of S. griff ithii, as compared to the leaf base, is almost as broad as that of S. larminati, while the lamina of S. elimbatus is almost entirely reduced. Since the laminál breadth of the S. spiculosus specimens is generally highly varying, transitions are frequent towards the two extremes, and as the two above taxa are not isolated geographically, they might at most be retained at variety de vei. It seems also probable, that Syrrhopodon herzogii BROTH. (BROTHERUS, Hedwigia 1910:125), described from Ceylon, also belongs to the Formenkreis of S. spiculosus. Unfortunately, we have not seen this plant. On the basis of the above findings, Syrrhopodon spiculosus HOOK. & GREV., Brewster Edinburgh Journ. 3 (1828):226 is a new senior synonym of 8. horridulus FLEISCH., Fl. Buitenzorg I (1904):208. Varieties: var. griffithii (MITT.) comb. nov. (Syn. : Syrrhopodon grijjithii MITTEN. M. Ind. or. 1859:40) var. elimbatus (Dix.) comb. nov. (Syn.: Syrrhopodon elimbatus DIXON, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 51 (1924):230-231). The characteristic features of Syrrhopodon spiculosus are : The lamina is sublanceolate (linguiform in var. griffithii and the nearly allied forms), much or slightly marrower than the leaf base. The cancellinae are arranged in 5—8 (3—10) rows in one side, and are slightly adcurrent to the costa ; the area formed by them is acuteangled above. The costa ending below the apex is usually spinose on both sides. A very important feature, characteristic of the entire Eormenkreis of the species, is that the papillae of the laminai cells are always multifid, calyciform. On the back of the lamina, there are also mamilliform bristles besides the papillae toward the apex, similarly to 8. larminati. The leaf is bordered by elongated cells (exohyalocysts) from its base to nearly its apex. The margin of lamina, near the apex, is toothed on the borderless section, and frequently also inclinate. The shoulder of the leaf bears 20—60 fx spiniform cilia. (Cf. Fig. 4 a—f.) At the first glance, the South American Syrrhopodon leprieurii MONT, is also very similar. However, this species is specifically delimited from S. spiculosus by the superiorly rounded shape of the area formed by the cancellinae and the dentately margined lamina in its entire length. The range of Syrrhopodon spiculosus includes : Ceylon* (var. griffithii, Lacoste ap. FLEISCHER 1904:208 as S. griffithii) ; EastPakistan: Chittagong,* leg. P. TIXIER 1965; Siam: (Paris 1905:348), Taphet, Surat Thani, 1100 m,* leg. P. TIXIER 1965; S-Vietnam: Dalat, 1300 m,* leg. P. TIXIER no. 8, 1961 ; Malay Peninsula: Kampar,* leg. DALESCHAMPI, ex hb. THÉRIOT in hb. PC; Mt. Ophir, leg. RIDLEY (var. elimbatus, Type of S. elimbatus DIXON 1924:230-231, 1926:11); Penang: Crag Hill (Dixon I.e.); Singapore: leg WALLICH (Type ofS. spiculosus, HOOKER et GREVILLE 1828:226, MITTEN 1859:40, DIXON.