Showing posts with label Hainan trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hainan trip. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Streblus taxoides

Streblus, a very unfamiliar genus to me, belongs to Moraceae where about five species could be found in Hainan but none in Hong Kong. I only managed to find immature fruits of S. taxoides during my visit to Hainan in late May. Moraceae usually produces syncarp like Ficus or Artocarpus but some of the genera also produces drupe like Streblus.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Syzygium fluviatile

There is very few information and pictures of Syzygium fluviatile (Myrtaceae) available on internet and books after some intensive search. It might be because of its globally narrow distribution as it is probably a Chinese endemic. Even so, it is only found in three provinces in China, including Guangxi, Guizhou and Hainan according to Flora of China. However, a rapid biodiversity survey report prepared by KFBG, Hong Kong, stated that this species is endemic to Hainan. Indeed, it is a very common streamside shrub in Hainan based on my own observation. The specific epithet "fluviatile" means existing in or about rivers which is very true.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Scutellaria javanica

Scutellaria javanica is a large Scutellaria species which could reach up to 1 m tall and has relative large flowers among other Scutellaria species. In China, it is only distributed in Hainan which is a nationally uncommon species. It can also be found in Indonesia and Philippines, suggesting it is a tropical species. Its type specimen was from Java which gives its specific name, javanica.

S. javanica is believed to be fairly common in Hainan which is mainly found near water or along streams. It is remarkably easy to identify by its large individual and dark purple flowers.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Canthium horridum

Canthium horridum is a common weedy shrub in Hainan Island but a rare species in Hong Kong. Rubiaceae is a tropical family which is very diverse and predominant in Asian tropical regions. Identifying Rubiaceae is not difficult in field by its opposite leaves, persistent stipules and lack of latex. Some of its members are armed with thorns though it is quite uncommon.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Hydnocarpus hainanensis

Hydnocarpus hainensis is a restrictedly distributed species in Southeast Asia which is ranged from southern China to Vietnam. The Chinese population is mostly restricted in Hainan Island. It is listed as vulnerable according to the IUCN Redlist though its status might be outdated. However, as it is mainly found in low altitude in mountaneous regions where deforestation is serious, it still constitutes certain level of conservation importance.

Based on the on-site observation, flowers emit some unpleasant smell like spoiling food. Flowers in anthesis are very easy to detach where mass dropping of flowers occur in strong wind.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Turraea pubescens

Turraea pubescens (Meliaceae) was found along streams in low altitude in Hainan. It is a small shrub with simple leaves and medium-sized flowers. It therefore didn't give impression of Meliaceae to me in the field as most of the known species are having compound leaves and relatively small flowers. Its roots are widely harvested and used as medicines by the locals.