Meliosma sterrophylla sp. nov/if^ Simplets). 



.•\rbor 7-8 m. alta, infiorescentiis leviter pubescentibus exceptis glabra, 

 ramis ramulisque teretibus, rigidis, ultimis 3 mm. diametro; foliis sim- 

 plicibus, integerrimis, rigidis, coriaceis, ellipticis vel obovato-ellipticis, 

 longe petiolatis, 10-15 cm. longis, 4.5-8 cm. latis, breviter obtuse 

 acuminatis, basi acutis vel decurrenti-acuminatis, in sicco supra laevibus, 

 subcastaneis, subtus pallidioribus, brunneis, utrinque glaberrimis; nervis 

 primariis utrinque circiter 12, supra leviter impressis, subtus valde 

 elevatis, perspicuis, arcuato-anastomosantibus, reticulis primariis ele- 

 vatis, perspicuis, undulato-subparallelis; petiolo 2.5-4 cm. longo, glabro; 

 paniculis terminalibus et in axillis superioribus, circiter 15 cm. longis, 

 rigidis, ramosis, consperse breviter brunneo-pubescentibus, floribus in 

 ramulis ultimis subspicatim dispositis, haud glomeratis, sessilibus, brac- 

 teis ovatis, leviter pubescentibus, 1.5 mm. longis; sepalis interioribus 

 ovatis, rotundatis vel obtusis, glabris vel leviter pubescentibus. circiter 

 1 mm. longis; ovario globoso, glaberrimo, haud 1 mm. longo, stylis 

 aequilongis. 



Indo-Chin.a, Tonkin, Massif du Fan Tsi Pan, near Chapa, A. Petclot 

 4532, ait. about 1400 m., February, 1932. 



Among the simple leaved species Meliosma sterrophylla Merr. is dis- 

 tinguishçd by its rigid glabrous branches and branchlets, its stiff, entire, 

 prominently nerved, long-petioled, glabrous leaves, its stiff panicles 

 which are only slightly pubescent, and its glabrous ovaries, the flowers 

 spicately arranged on the ultimate branchlets, not in glomerules. Its 

 alliance is with M. Tsangtakii Merr. of Hainan, but that species has 

 distinctly pubescent leaves. 



