Omphalodes akiensis (Boraginaceae), a New Species from Hiroshima Prefecture, Western Japan

Abstract

A new species, Omphalodes akiensis Kadota (Boraginaceae), is described from Hiroshima Pref., western Japan. Omphalodes akiensis is similar to O. prolifera Ohwi in having decumbent scapes with plantlets at the axil of inflorescence but is distinguished from the latter by thicker, dimly lustrous basal leaves with longer petioles, forked inflorescence, shorter, shallowly lobed calyx-tubes with narrowly ovate-lanceolate lobes obtuse at apex. Omphalodes akiensis is distributed in Hiroshima Pref. and the southwestern part of Tottori Pref. and grows rather commonly on rich soils in open valleys. A white-flowered form of Omphalodes akiensis is also described.