Osbeckia lanata is a flowering plant in the genus Osbeckia. It is native to the mountains of southern Sri Lanka.

Osbeckia lanata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Osbeckia
Species:
O. lanata
Binomial name
Osbeckia lanata
Alston

Osbeckia lanata Alston. is synonymous with Osbeckia buxifolia var. minor Thwait. and Osbeckia walkeri var. becketii Triana.[1]

Description edit

It has small and crowded leaves that are between oval and rotund in shape. The apices of leaves are emarginate and they have rounded bases. Leaves contain three major depressed veins from the base; the undersides of these contain long brown hairs. The trunk is much-branched. The crown is flat-topped. Twigs have copious brownish wool. The plant's flowers are rich mauve and numerous. Bracts are leaf-like, have reddish-brown hairs, are solitary or in groups of three, and sessile. Fruits are capsules.

Ecology edit

It is found in montane forest understory. The type specimen was collected by GHK Thwaites in 1853 at an altitude of 2,134 m.[2] The sites where the plant was recorded for Flora of Ceylon in February and March 1977 were also at high altitudes, between 1,980 m on the side-cone of Adam's Peak[3][4] and near Galagama Falls[5] close to the border between Sri Lanka's Central Province and Sabaragamuwa Province, and 2,225 m[6] and 2,286 m,[7] further north on the border between Madhyama Province and Uva Province.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ [1] Type specimen CP.2618 in Herbarium Hookerianum 1867, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  2. ^ [2] Type specimen CP.2618 in Herbarium Hookerianum 1867, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  3. ^ "Occurrence Detail 233950014". www.gbif.org. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19.
  4. ^ www.gbif.org (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) – Osbeckia lanata Alston - Search occurrences
  5. ^ "Occurrence Detail 233950009". www.gbif.org. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19.
  6. ^ "Occurrence Detail 233950013". www.gbif.org. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19.
  7. ^ "Occurrence Detail 233950007". www.gbif.org. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19.
  8. ^ www.eol.org (Encyclopedia of Life) Osbeckia lanata