Leptopus cordifolius Decne.

Vorontsova, M.S. & Hoffmann, P. 2009. Revision of the genus Leptopus (Phyllanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae sensu lato). Kew Bulletin 64: 627. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9155-x

Type

India, Hort. Calc. Kumaon, 1824, Wallich Catalogue 7913a (holotype K-W!; isotypes A!, E!, K!).

Morphology General Habit

Monoecious erect shrub, 0.5 – 3 m. Stem straight

Morphology Twigs

Twigs longitudinally ribbed, sometimes terete, glabrous to hirsute, light green to brown

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules deltoid, basally not auriculate, apically acute, ferrugineous to almost black, 0.4 – 1.5 × 0.4 – 0.7 mm, hirsute, margin entire, densely ciliate

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petiole 8 – 34 × 3 – 8 (adult), 0.3 – 0.5 mm (on brachyblasts), at least ¼ of leaf blade length (adult), shorter than ¼ of leaf blade (on brachyblasts), glabrous to hirsute

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blade ovate, sometimes oblong, basally rounded to truncate, sometimes cordate, apically rounded, sometimes mucronate, (1.5) 2 – 5 (8.5) × (0.6) 1 – 2 (3.5) cm, 2 – 3 times longer than wide, chartaceous, drying concolorous to discolorous green to brown, grey or dark red, glabrous (rarely hirsute) adaxially, glabrous to hirsute abaxially, margin glabrous to hirsute; midvein adaxially flat to impressed, abaxially prominent or flat, secondary veins 4 – 7 pairs, adaxially flat to impressed, abaxially prominent to flat. Inflorescences unisexual or bisexual, male inflorescence axis 0 – 0.1 (3) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts as stipules

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Male flowers 1 – 4 per fascicle, 1.5 – 3 × 4 – 6 mm Female flowers 1 – 2 per fascicle, 2.5 – 6 × 4 – 8 mm, 1.5 – 3 times larger than males, rotate. Pedicel 13 – 30 mm long, not articulate, glabrous to hirsute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicel 5 – 22 × less than 1.5 mm, articulate just above base, glabrous to hirsute Fruiting pedicel 15 – 36 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5, obovate to oblong, apically rounded, 1.5 – 3 × 1 – 1.7 mm, membranaceous, 3 – 6-veined, hirsute outside, glabrous inside, margin entire to erose, glabrous to ciliate, eglandular Sepals 5, ovate to obovate or oblong, apically obtuse to cuspidate, 2 – 4 × 1.2 – 4 mm, 0 – 6-veined, hirsute outside, glabrous inside, margin entire, glabrous to ciliate, eglandular Mature sepals not accrescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 5, obovate, apically rounded, 1.2 – 2.2 × 0.6 – 1 mm ⅔ of sepal length to almost as long as sepals, membranaceous, 1 – 4-veined, glabrous on both sides, margin entire to erose or undulate, glabrous Petals 5, obovate, apically rounded to truncate, 0.2 – 0.6 × 0.2 – 0.6 mm, extending slightly beyond the disc, without veins, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc bilobed for ⅓ – ⅔ of length, lobes apically rounded, 0.4 – 0.8 × 0.2 – 0.5 mm, ¼ – ½ as long as sepals, ⅓ – ½ as long as petals Disc bilobed for ⅓ – ½ of length, 0.3 – 1 × 0.3 – 0.7 mm, apically rounded, entire to erose or crenulate, up to ¼ of sepal length

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, 1.3 – 2.2 mm long; filaments 1.2 – 2 mm long; anthers 0.2 – 0.3 × 0.2 – 0.25 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistillodes

Pistillode trilobed for ¾ of length or to base, 0.2 – 0.5 mm long, ⅛ – ¼ of stamen length, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 3-locular, glabrous; styles 3, 0.8 – 1.6 mm long, free, glabrous; stigmas capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit 3.5 – 4.5 × 5 – 7 mm, smooth to faintly reticulate, glabrous, drying red brown to brown. Columella widest at base, apically linear, 2 – 3 × c. 0.5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds triquetrous, 2 – 3.5 × 1.8 – 2.5 × 1.8 – 2.5 mm, without appendages, smooth, yellow to red brown

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds Embryo

Embryo with radicle up to ½ as long as cotyledons

Distribution

From north Pakistan through north India and Nepal to West Himalaya. Map 1.

Ecology

Stony slopes and open woodland; 1000 – 3000 m.

Conservation

Least concern (LC): extent of occurrence exceeds 20,000 km2.

Note

All parts of this species are larger than those of Leptopus chinensis, with longer petioles and apically rounded leaves. Distinguishing L. cordifolius and L. chinensis can be difficult, especially in young specimens of L. cordifolius; the two species are clearly closely related. Individuals between the Himalayas and western China often possess characters intermediate between L. chinensis and L. cordifolius.