中华胡椒 zhong hua hu jiao

Climbers woody, glabrous except for rachis and bases of bracts. Petiole 1-2 cm; leaf blade ovate or broadly elliptic, 9-13 × 4-7 cm, papery, without glands, base cuneate, usually symmetric, apex shortly acuminate; veins 5(-7), apical pair arising up to 2 cm above base, reaching leaf apex, others ± basal, reticulate veins conspicuous. Flowers bisexual. Spikes leaf-opposed, 3-5 cm, slightly elongated in fruit; peduncle nearly as long as petioles; bracts orbicular, ca. 1.3 mm wide, peltate to ± clavate, distally inflexed, stalk short, densely pubescent. Stamens usually 2; filaments thick, short; anthers reniform. Ovary ovoid, distinct; stigmas 3 or 4, sessile, apex ± acute, persistent. Drupe ovoid, ca. 2 mm in diam., apex ± acute Fl. Apr-Jun.

* Thickets near villages. ?Guangdong

This rather distinct species is known only from the type and may now be extinct. The type was not localized but is presumed to be from Guangdong.