Banko Janakari, Vol 28 No. 1, 2018 48 Pterospermum truncatolobatum Gagnepain (Sterculaceae): A new addition to the flora of Nepal B. K. Basnet1*and M. Siwakoti2 Pterospermum truncatolobatum is an angiosperm indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is most likely to grow naturally along forested stream banks. The best growing conditions are a seasonally moist then dry climate with access to full sunlight. Pterospermum is an angiosperm that is traditionally included in the Sterculiaceae family; however, it is grouped in the expanded Malvaceae family as well. The classification Pterospermum is based on two Greek words, Pteron and Sperma, meaning “winged seed”. To date, only 10 species names within the genus have accepted where as other twenty five species listed unresolved in the Plant List. About nine and five number of species under this genus Pterospermum have been reported from China and India. Only one species like Pterospermum acerifolium reported from Nepal (Press et al, 2000). During the course of plant collection this herbarium specimens was collected by Paudel, H. R. and Basnet B. K. (Fig.1). During the identification, this specimen did not match with any species of Pterospermum already reported from Nepal. After the detail study of specimens and available literatures (Shu, 2007), it has been identified as Pterospermum truncatolobatum Gagnepain. Description of the species Trees, to 16 m tall; bark black, striate. Branchlets densely yellow-brown stellate. Stipules palmately 3-5-fimbriate, densely hairy, caducous; petiole robust, 4-12 mm; leaf blade oblong-obovate in outline, usually irregularly lobed, 8-16 × 3.5- 11 cm, leathery, abaxially densely gray-white or yellow-brown stellate tomentose, adaxially glabrous or minutely hairy along midrib, base cordate or obliquely cordate, apex truncate and 3-5-lobed, central lobe acute or acuminate, 1—2 cm. Flowers solitary, nearly sessile; epicalyx lobes fimbriate. Sepals linear, relatively thick, 4.5-6.5 × ca. 0.4 cm, abaxially densely brown tomentose, adaxially silvery white villous. Petals linear-falcate, 3-6 × 0.4-0.5 cm, base tapering. Stamens ca. 3.5 cm; staminodesfiliform, ca. 5 cm, glabrous. Ovary ovoid, hairy. Fruiting pedicel to 8 mm; capsule woody, ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, prominently 5-angular and 5-grooved, ca. 12 × 7 cm, densely brown stellate tomentose, verrucose or not, base narrowed into 2-3 × ca. 1 cm stipe. Seeds 6-10 per locule, in 2 rows, 4-5.5 cm including wing, wing linear, up to 4.4 cm, apex obtuse or truncate. Fl. Jul. Figure 1: Herbarium specimen of Pterospermum truncatobatum Silviculture value: There is an array of common names for Pterospermum truncatolobatum, depending on the region where it is grown. It is commonly referred to as Kanak Champa, Muchakunda or Karnikar. Other common names include Bayur Tree, Maple-Leafed Bayur Tree, 1. National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories, Godawary, Nepal , *E-mail :basnetbotanist@gmail.com 2. Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur Short Note Banko Janakari, Vol 28 No. 1, 2018 49 and Dinner Plate Tree. The reddish wood of the tree can be used for planking. Because the wood is soft, it is not considered to be very strong. However it is incredibly durable and somewhat flexible, making it perfect for planking and wooden boxes. The tree has been categories as fossil wood some of the species are under the IUCN red list. Mostly planted as an ornamental or shade tree, the leaves, flowers, and wood. The leaves can also serve as a primitive method of re- enforcing roofs and preventing leaks. The pubescent under surface of the leaves is said to stop bleeding and can be used as tinder for a means of sparking fires. The flowers of the tree can serve as a pleasant perfume and can even keep away insects. The flowers also provide a number of medicinal uses. An effective tonic can be prepared, as well as being used as a cure for inflammation, ulcers, blood problems, and even tumors. Its bark is also supposed to be used in case of scabies and topical preparation like lipsticks. References Shu,chi zi 2007. Flora of China 12: 327–329. http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/tree.html h t t p : / / w w w. i u c n r e d l i s t . o r g / d e t a i l s / full/113756894/0 http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_ id=2&taxon_id=200013829 http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_ id=93551&flora_id=2 h t t p s : / / w w w. b i o d i v e r s i t y l i b r a r y. o r g / page/6675107#page/85/mode/1up h t t p s : / / w w w. b i o d i v e r s i t y l i b r a r y. o r g / openurlmultiple.aspx?id=p6675107|p4506 422|p4506546 http://tropicos.org/Name/30401881 http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_ id=2&start_taxon_id=127512http://www. efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_ id=93551&flora_id=2 Basnet and Siwakoti