3. Pollia Thunb., Nov. Gen. Pl. 1: 11 (1781).
Taxon Description
Perennial herbs. Roots fibrous. Rhizomes long, branched, jointed, horizontal. Stems ascending, simple or sparsely branched. Leaves alternate, arranged in apex of the stem, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, sheaths encircling the stem, margin entire. Inflorescence in terminal panicles, peduncle long, cincinni with several flowers, involucral bracts ovate, lanceolate or elliptic, not penetrating the leaf sheath and emerges through the mouth of sheath, bracts usually green, slightly membranous or leathery, surface often smooth sometimes sparsely pubescent, proximal involucral bracts nearly leaf-like. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic. Pedicels present. Sepals 3, free, boat-shaped, often enlarging, persistent. Petals 3, free, ovate-elliptic, white. Stamens 6, fertile, filaments glabrous, anther locules oblong, antherodes sagittate, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary 3 loculed, ovules 2 per locule. Capsule 3-valved, globose. Seeds 1 or 2 per valve, cylindric, trigonous, rugose, reticulate, hilum linear.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide 19 species: tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of the E hemisphere. One species in Nepal.
1. Pollia subumbellata C.B.Clarke, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11: 451 (1871).
Aclisia subumbellata (C.B.Clarke) C.B.Clarke.
Perennial herbs, 15–25 cm. Rhizomes long. Stems ascending. Leaves arranged in apex of the stem, alternate, 4–16 X 1–6 cm. Inflorescence in terminal panicles, peduncle long, cincinni numerous, bracts membranous, bracts typically ovate-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, apex tapering, 1–3 cm. Pedicels present. Flowers actinomorphic. Sepals 3, 3–5 mm, free, generally lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, boat-shaped, pointed or acute apex, persistent. Petals 3, 4–5 mm, elliptic-obovate, surface membranous, Stamens 6, fertile or 3 staminodes, filaments glabrous, anther locules oblong antherodes sagittate, yellow. Ovary 3 loculed, ovules 2 per locule. Capsule 3-valved, globose. Seeds 2 per valve, 2.5–3.5 mm slightly flattened, purplish gray.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, E. Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 450–1400 m.
Ecology: Moist ravines, in shade.
Flowering: March–June. Fruiting: July–August.