3. Merrilliopanax alpinus (C. B. Clarke) C. B. Shang, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia. 5: 293. 1983.
西藏常春木 xi zang chang chun mu
Brassaiopsis alpina C. B. Clarke in J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 2: 736. 1879; Merrilliopanax tibetanus C. Y. Wu & S. K. Wu; Pseudobrassaiopsis alpina (C. B. Clarke) R. N. Banerjee; Tetrapanax tibetanus G. Hoo.
Trees, small. Branches, leaves, and inflorescences densely yellowish or ferruginous stellate, later glabrescent. Petiole 4-20 cm; leaf blade broadly ovate, suborbicular, or cordiform, 10-22 × 8-23 cm, membranous to papery, entire or 3-lobed, with 5-7 distinct, palmate veins, base cordate, margin irregularly serrate, spinulate apically, apex acuminate, rarely caudate. Inflorescence terminal, densely yellowish or ferruginous stellate, later glabrescent; pedicels 3-7 mm. Fruit globose, 3-4 mm in diam. Fl. Jul-Aug.
Mixed forests; 1500-3100 m. S Xizang [Bhutan, NE India, Nepal].
This species is used medicinally and as an ornamental.