33 



€>irtgmal ^rticlc^* 



ON THE SPECIES OF GLYC08MIS 



By S. Kurz. 

 (Tab. 174, 175.) 



In the present paper I have attempted to distinguish the forms 

 which Prof, Oliver and Dr. Hooker have combined into one single 

 variable species, viz., Glycosmis pentaphylla. As regards the species 

 of the first section with the filaments dilated upwards, I feel sure of 

 their validity, although some may be inclined to look upon G. lanceo- 

 lata as a geographical species only. I encountered the chief diffi- 

 culty in the second section with the filaments equally narrowed or 

 slightly dilated downwards. Here G. singuliflora, G. chlorospenna, 

 and G. macrophylla appear to me distinct beyond any doubt ; but it is 

 the group of forms under the names of G. trifoliata, G. tri-phylla, and 

 G. ptiherula which I have been unable to unravel properly on account 

 of the meagre and incomplete material at my disposal. I am strongly 

 in favour of uniting them all into one species, but any such step on 

 my part would be premature, the more so as several forms of which I 

 had only buds are provisionally incorporated in G. trifoliata, and 

 these may prove distinct. Glycosmis arborea, Roxb., has remained a 

 puzzle to botanists, and whether •; my var. insularis can fairly be 

 brought together with it remains to be shown, Roxburgh's descrip- 

 tion as well as figure is clear, and there can be little doubt that the 

 species will finally be refound in the Circars. My variety of it has 

 the largest flowers of all the genus, and when the tree is in bloom it 

 presents quite a showy aspect in the jungles. Further inquiry 

 and better knowledge of the trifoliata section may, however, reduce 

 this species. For the present I must content myself with giving the 

 result of my own researches, and leave the further elucidation of the 

 doubtful species indicated to those who are in the possession of better 

 material than I have at my command. 



Conspectus of the Species. 



* Filaments gradually dilated upwards, and 

 abruptly acuminate below the anthers, 

 ■j- Berries obovate to oboval, leaden-blue. 

 Anthers obtuse ; ovary smooth . . , G. cyanea. 

 f f Berries globular or nearly so, watery- white 

 to flesh-coloured and crimson. 

 Bark red-brown, fissured ; petals very deciduous ; 



anthers minutely gland-tipped . . . G. lanceolata. 

 Bark white ; petals more persistent ; anthers con- 

 spicuously gland-tipped . . , . G. pentaphylla, 

 K.s. VOL. 5. [Fubruary, 1876.] » 



