Galium paradoxum Maxim. (Rubiaceae), a Newly Recorded Plant in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Tsung-Hsin Hsieh, Po-Yi Chiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Taiwan University 2010-06-01
• Series: Taiwania
• Subjects: New record; Galium paradoxum; Rubiaceae; Taiwan; Taxonomy.
• Online Access: http://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1135

Galium, comprising about 300 or 400 species in the world, is a large genus of the family Rubiaceae. Ten taxa were recorded in the 2nd edition of Flora of Taiwan. In the course of our botanical inventory, Galium paradoxum Maxim., heretofore unknown in Taiwan, was collected from southern part of the island. This species can be characterized by its opposite leaves on lower parts and 4- (or 5)-verticillate leaves (2 larger, others often reduced into stipule-like) on upper parts of stem, distinct 3-10 mm long petiole and ovate to widely ovate leaves. In this report we provide a description, line drawings, and colored photographs taken from the wild to aid in identification.