Tupistra

Primary tabs

Tupistra

Description

Leaves large, basal, scattered or distichous, usually distinctly petioled, expanding towards the base to form a sheath, with a strong main vein and numerous finer veins. Inflorescence a spike. Flowers numerous, each in the axil of a bract. Ovary superior, sessile, subglobose or not externally differentiated from style, 3(-4)-celled; Fruit a globose berry, usually 1-seeded;

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Sumatera (Sumatera present), Eastern Himalayas present, southern China present
Eastern Himalayas to southern China; in Malesia: Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The type of T. squalida (the type species) was described, undoubtedly in error, from Amboina. About 25 spp. have been described, but many of these should probably be reduced to synonymy.

Notes

The Malesian species have been insufficiently collected for convincing taxonomic judgements to be made.

Citation

Hook.f. 1892 – In: Fl. Br. Ind.: 324
Krause 1930 – In: E. & P., Nat. Pfl. Fam., ed. 2, 15a: 372
Baker 1875 – In: J. Linn. Soc. Bot.: 580
Bl. 1834 – In: Tijd. Nat. Gesch. Phys.: 67