LOROPETALUM

Loropetalum R. Br. ex Rchb., Cosp. Regn. Veg.: 87. 1829; Fl. China @ eFloras.org 9: 32.

Shrubs or small trees, evergreen or semi evergreen. Leaves alternate, simple, shortly petiolate; leaf blade membranous or thinly leathery, margin +/- entire, venation pinnate; stipules membranous, caducous. Inflorescence capitate, shortly spicate or racemose, axillary or terminal, 3-25 flowered; bracts entire, eglandular. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, epigynous or perigynous, 4- or 5-(or 6- merous). Hypanthium obconical, stellately pubescent. Sepals usually 4 or 5 (or 6), ovate, pubescent, deciduous. Petals white or red, strap-like, circinate in bud. Stamens 4 or 5 (or 6), perigynous, anthers bithecous, each theca dehiscing by 2 valves, connective protrusion long and slender. Disk scales present. Ovary inferior or semi-inferior, ovules 1 per loculus. Fruiting pedicel short or absent. Capsules dehiscing by two 2-lobed valves, lower part enveloped by hypanthium. Seeds 1 per carpel.

4 species

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Yieh, J. Chin. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1942 (2): 33. 1942; Fl. China @ eFloras.org 9: 33.

Evergreen shrub, 1-2 m tall, much branched, branchlets stellately pubescent. Leaves alternate, simple; petiole 4-5 mm long, stellately pubescent; leaf blade ovate, elliptic, rarely obovate, 1.7-5 cm x 1-3 cm, purple-red, both surfaces stellate pubescent, sometimes adaxially sparsely pubescent with simple hairs, base asymmetrical, glabrescent, rounded or cuneate, margin entire, apex acute or shortly acuminate; lateral nerves 4-8 on each side, prominent abaxially. Inflorescence a short raceme or nearly capitate, terminal mostly on short lateral branches, 3-10 flowered; peduncle 8-10 mm, stellate pubescent; bracts ovate to lanceolate, 3-3.5 mm x 1.1.7 mm, stellate pubescent. Flowers shortly pedicellate, bisexual, actinomorphic, 5-merous, epigynous, purple red. Hypanthium obconical, 1.2-1.5 mm long and ca. 2 mm in diameter, stellate pubescent. Sepals 5, free, ovate, 2-3 mm long, red, apex generally recurved, stellate pubescent outside. Petals 5, free, red, 1-2 cm x ca. 2 mm, strap-like, attenuated at base, apex obtuse, rounded or truncate. Stamens 4 or 5, free; filaments very short; anthers ovoid, 0.5-0.6 mm, connective elongated into 0.4- 0.5 mm long horn; staminodes 4-6, scale-like, alternate with stamens; anthers bithecous, each dehiscing by 2 valves. Ovary inferior, stellate pubescent, 2-locular, 1 ovule per loculus; styles 2, very short; stigmas 2, persistent.

Fruit not observed.

Flowering : Almost throughout the year
Common Names: Red Chinese Fringe Flower

Cultivated as garden ornamental