银缕梅 yin lu mei

Hamamelis subaequalis H. T. Chang, Acta Sci. Nat. Univ. Sunyatsen. 1960(1): 35. 1960; Shaniodendron subaequale (H. T. Chang) M. B. Deng et al.

Trees, small; branches stellately pubescent, glabrescent. Stipules narrowly lanceolate; petiole 5–7 mm, stellately pubescent; leaf blade broadly obovate or elliptic, 4–6.5 × 2–4.5 cm, abaxially stellately pubescent with pale brown hairs, adaxially green, stellately pubescent only along veins, base rounded, truncate, or subcordate, symmetrical, margin sparsely sinuate dentate, apex obtuse; lateral veins 4 or 5 on each side, abaxially prominent, basal 2 without tertiary veins. Inflorescences capitate spikes; peduncle ca. 1 cm. Floral bracts ovate or broadly ovate, large, abaxially densely stellately pubescent, adaxially subglabrous. Lowermost 1 or 2 flowers male, floral cup indistinct, stamens 3–10, filaments very short. Bisexual flowers 4 or 5, floral cup short, margin irregularly toothed, persistent. Sepals ovate, ca. 3 mm. Stamens erect in buds, pendent at anthesis, filaments filiform, 15–18(–20) mm, anthers oblong, 4–4.5 mm, connectives elongated into a mucro. Ovary semi-inferior, styles ca. 2 mm, stigmas decurrent. Capsules subglobose, 8–9 mm in diam., dehiscing by 2 valves, persistent floral cup ca. 2.5 mm; styles persistent. Seeds 6–7 mm, base and apex acute. Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jun–Aug.

Montane forests; 600--700 m. Anhui (Jinzhai Xian, Jixi Xian, Shucheng Xian), S Jiangsu (Yixing Xian), N Zhejiang (Anji Xian).

This species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN (as Shaniodendron subaequale).