Materials for a Flora of the Malayan Peninsula^ 1G9 



Leaflets oblong falcate. 



Inflorescence compact ••• ... ... 2. Z. affinis. 



Inflorescence elongate trailing spikes 



much longer than the spathes ... 3. Z. glabrcsccns. 



Leaflets elliptic acuminate at both ends. 

 Inflorescence very long trailing spikes 



shorter than the spathes ... ••• 4. Z. Watlichiana. 



1. Z. CONFEETA, Griff. Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist. V. 16, Palms Brit. 

 Inch 19, t. 180 A. B.C. Stem hardly any, leaves about 15 feet, petiole 

 about half its length spiny rachis stout with long slender spines in 

 short rows, leaflets rather distant linear ensiform. Inflorescence com- 

 pact much branched, spikes distichous. Spathes numerous short ovate 

 acute ribbed. Spikes stout 4-5 inches long. Flowers in pairs in short 

 broad ribbed bracteoles, 1 male and 1 female, subsimilar \ inch long, 

 calyx lobes linear oblong free to the base, petals nearly twice as long 

 oblong ribbed. Stamens narrow linear shorter than petals. Female 

 pistil ovoid styles recurved rather thick. -Drupe rounded obovoid yellow 

 over 1 inch long, with a small mammilla at the apex scales smooth 

 polished subtriangular but very irregular, grooved. Pulp acid. Mart. 

 Hist. Nat. Palm. III. 201, t. 137, 174. Becc. Males. III. 67. Hook. fil. 

 Fl. Brit. Ind. VI. 473. 



Singapore : Tanglin, Bukit Timah, Bukit Mandai, etc. ; Malacca ; 

 Selangor : Kwala Lumpur ; Perak ; Dindings : Lumut. Distrib. Borneo, 

 Ehio, etc. 



Very common in wet woods forming impenetrable thickets in water. 

 The fruit intensely acid is eaten by Malays and known as " Asam 

 Pay a " and " Kelubi." 



The bracteoles are slightly fluffy inside at the base less so than in 

 most species. 



2. Z. AFFINIS, Griff. Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist. V. 9. Palms Brit. 

 India 12, t. 176. Stem short stout. Leaves numerous about 12 feet 

 long strongly spiny rachis stout obscurely 3 ribbed, leaflets oblong 

 falcate very broad over 12 inches long 3 inches wide with three stout 

 ribs, dark green. Inflorescence 13 inches long compact, with numerous 

 spikes. Spathes lanceolate acuminate split 5 inches long by \ wide or 

 less. Male spikes crowded cylindric fluffy an inch long. Bracteoles 

 small obovate with brown fluffy fibres. Flowers xV inch long, calyx 

 lobes oblong ribbed split to base. Petals twice as long oblong cuspi- 

 date strongly ribbed. Stamens 6. Anthers short elliptic. Female 

 spadix broad flattened 9 inches long. Spathes much shorter than the 

 branches. Spikes stout 3-5 inches long \ inch through. Bracteoles 

 broad ribbed glabrous. Flowers 4 inch long much larger than the 

 males. Calyx lobes lanceolate oblong strongly ribbed. Petals elliptic 

 lanceolate strongly ribbed half as long again. Pistil scaly, stigmas 



