(Hydrangeaceae)
Schizophragma aff. elliptifolium  WWJ11905

Description

An exciting find as seed presented to us on what appeared to be a dead stick. Of this new aerial rooting climber, with young elliptic foliage which is thick with bristly hairs. We had encountered seedlings before, but seed had always eluded us, as this is usually high in the tree canopy some 30 meters up. While we have been shown pressed specimen of the unusual orbicular bracts, in the National Park headquarters of this area of northern Vietnam. A distinct species, if not correctly identified it is most likely to be an undescribed species. Flowers best into the sun, with shade and moisture at the base in humus-enriched soil.