Prunus fragrans

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Prunus fragrans

Description

Small trees, up to 15 m. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-ovate, more rarely oblong, (10-)12-19(-23) by 4.5-10(-13) cm, base usually rounded, sometimes shortly de-current, rarely acute, apex usually acuminate, herbaceous to ± coriaceous, with 6-10 pairs of nerves, sparsely pubescent on both sides, basal glands 2, hollowed and bulging on upper side, other foliar glands often also hollowed. Stipules oblong, 4-8 by 1.5-3 mm, free, with glandular margin. Flowers bisexual or (rarely) male. Stamens 25-55, glabrous, filaments up to 7 mm, anthers 0.5-0.7 mm long. Ovary glabrous or with few hairs, style up to 6.5 mm long, also with some hairs or glabrous. Fruits ellipsoid, 24-30 by 15-17 mm, exocarp glabrous, black when ripe, mesocarp thick and fleshy, hard when dry, endocarp sparsely hairy inside. Seed with glabrous testa.

Distribution

Asia-Temperate: Taiwan (Taiwan present), Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present), Botel Tobago present, Lanyu, a small island off the SE coast of Taiwan present, Luzon present, Mindoro present, Negros present, Panay present
Philippines, seen from Camiguin, Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, and Negros. , mentions the species (as Pygeum megaphyllum) for Taiwan, which is quite plausible. I saw a sterile collection (C.E. Chang 3080) from Lanyu, a small island off the SE coast of Taiwan (Botel Tobago). This specimen may belong to P. fragrans, although identification remains a bit doubtful.

Citation

Merr. 1923 – In: Enum. Philipp. Flow. Pl.: 232
Elmer 1913 – In: Leafl. Philipp. Bot.: 1622