Daphniphyllum himalayense

Daphniphyllum himalayense (Benth.) Müll.Arg., Prodr. 16(1): 4 1869. (Syn: Daphniphyllum bengalense K.Rosenthal; Daphniphyllum benthamii Baill. [Invalid]; Daphniphyllum chartaceum K.Rosenthal; Daphniphyllum himalayense var. chartaceum (K.Rosenthal) T.C.Huang; Daphniphyllum himalayense subsp. himalayense ; Daphniphyllum himalayense var. longiracemosum (K.Rosenthal) T.C.Huang; Daphniphyllum himalayense var. triangulatum T.C.Huang; Daphniphyllum himalense var. chartaceum (K. Rosenthal) T.C. Huang; Daphniphyllum himalense var. longeracemosum (K. Rosenthal) T.C. Huang; Daphniphyllum longiracemosum K.Rosenthal; Goughia himalayensis Benth.);

Himalaya to S. China (as per WCSP)

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Daphniphyllum himalayense (Benth.) Mull.Arg. (Daphniphyllaceae) from Sikkim : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (1)

Common small trees in subtropical forests up to 6500 feet altitude.

This is var. himalayense for its inconspicuous minor venation on the undersurface of the leaves.

Reference:

Chakrab. & N.P. Bakakr. in N. P. Balakr. et al., Fl. India 23: 503-504. 2012.

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*Tree for ID ABAPR01/01 : 5 posts by 3 authors. 10 images.

There is a stand of these trees about 10-15m tall next to a mountain path I occasionally walk on. I have made several attempts to find an ID but have been successful. The tree is in flower now (these could be buds too) and am posting some pictures here for your expert help. Asking around the local community I haven’t found much. Today a lady told me that it was called Handa in local dialect and its wood or leaves are not used. Please advise.

Mountain path above Dal Lake, Dharamshala, HP

1850m approx.

10 and 17 April 2016.

The pinkish-red petioles and the umbellate formation of the young inflorescences (female?) are reminiscent of Daphniphyllum, which is, however, not recorded for Himachal Pradesh so far. Please try to obtain mature flowers and fruits.

Please refer to efi page on D. himalayense and see the image.

Thanks, … Here are two species in efi:

Daphniphyllum himalayense

Daphniphyllum glaucescens

Thank you very much … It most definitely looks like a Daphniphyllum. The stand I mentioned has about a hundred or more trees, many of which are young. The glossy leaves can be up to 30cm long.

None of my books on local flora has this tree and most locals do not know anything about this either. And since you say that it is not recorded from HP, perhaps it was introduced relatively recently.

I will keep watch and collect mature flowers/fruits as you advised.

Yes, this is an interesting extension of range of the species and it needs to be published in a scientific journal. Pl. do the needful. References are available in Fl. India Vol. 23.