Taxonomic Notes of Ophiopogon of South Asia V.

Abstract

Ophiopogon caulescens (Blume) Backer, O. prolifer Lindl., O. malayanus Ridl., O. dracaenoides (Baker) Hook.f. and O. pierrei L.Rodr. are taxonomically reviewed. Both O. prolifer and O. malayanus are treated as conspecific with O. caulescens. The filaments of O. caulescens are united laterally along their entire length or about halfway from the base up. The ovaries of O. dracaenoides and O. caulescens are concave at the apex. This consistency in the ovary structure implies a close relationship between the two species. Ophiopogon dracaenoides is recorded as new to Thailand. Ophiopogon pierrei is distinguishable from O. caulescens by the free filaments and the ovary which is nearly hemispheric at the apex.