M. QAISER AND S. NAZIMUDDIN
Sageretia theezans var. glabrescens Kitam.
An evergreen shrub with stiff, slender branches, sometimes terminating in thorns. Leaves ovate, elliptic or sub-orbicular, coriaceous or sub-coriaceous, minutely serrate, glabrous, or densely white tomentose beneath, 1-4 x .5-2 cm, 3-4 pairs of lateral nerves, petiole 2-4 mm long, stipules minute, dark brown. Inflorescence of interrupted spikes and panicles. Flowers c. 3 mm across, sessile or shortly stalked. Calyx saucer shaped, 1.5 mm long, lobes bigger than hypanthinum, c. 1 mm long, ovate. Petals obovate, c. 1 mm long, emarginate. Fruit 4-5 mm long, black or dark brown, ovoid to globose, 3-lobed, edible. Seeds mostly 3.
Distribution: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Arabia, N.E. Africa.
