|
P.schmidtii
Botany: | Dioecious, vigorous vine. Leaves very thick and coriaceous, venation very prominent; leaves small, ovate to- elliptic, base round or acute, tip acuminate, entirely glabrous, ribs very prominent, lateral ribs two pairs, first from the base, second about 1.0 cm above the base, placed unequally; leaves about 9x4 cm in size, larger in the young vine. Spikes filiform, pendant, female spikes thick 6-16 cm, male spikes thinner, about 10-15 cm long; bracts peltate, with raised free margins; stamens two, filament thick, anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary oblong, or conical, ovule single, style absent, stigma 3-4 lobed, papillous; fruits oblong, bitter in taste, turning to yellow and finally to orange on ripening. Flowering in July - August. Fruits mature in March - April. 2n = 96 |
Keyfeature: | Bracts orbicular, leaves, very thick, without scale | Distribution: | Western ghats, Hills of Tirunelvely.Found at elevations above 1500 m MSL. |
| | |
|
|