昂天莲 ang tian lian

Theobroma augustum Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, 3: 233. 1768 ["augusta"].

Shrubs, 1-4 m tall. Branchlets densely stellate velutinous when young. Stipules linear, 5-10 mm, caducous; petiole 1-10 cm; leaf blade cordate or ovate-cordate, sometimes 3-5-lobed, 10-22 × 9-18 cm, abaxially glabrous or sparsely stellate, adaxially densely puberulent, basal veins 3-7, prominently raised on both surfaces, base cordate or obliquely cordate, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescence cymose, 1-5-flowered. Flowers ca. 5 cm in diam., pendulous. Sepals lanceolate, 15-18 mm, both sur-
faces densely puberulent. Petals dark reddish purple, ca. 2.5 cm, basal part as broad as long and hairy, upper part elliptic-spatulate, apex acute or obtuse. Staminodes nearly spatulate, both surfaces hairy. Ovary oblong, ca. 1.5 mm, slightly hairy, 5-grooved; style triangular-tongue-shaped, 1/2 as long as ovary. Capsule erect, obconic, 3-6 cm in diam., stellate hairy, 5-winged, cuplike after dehiscence, margins villous. Seeds oblong, black, ca. 2 mm. Fl. spring and summer.

Forest margins, valley gullies. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, Pacific islands].

The bark of this species provides a high-quality fiber used for making rope and fishing lines. It is also a medicinal plant, used in particular for the treatment of diabetes, and is grown as an ornamental.