Lasianthus fordii Hance
Characteristics: Upright shrub, can reach 2 m in height. Leaves are papyraceous to subcoriaceous. Leaf shapes vary and can be oblong oval, linear oblong, oval, or lanceolate, 6.5-16 cm in length and 2.5-6 cm in width; first caudate gradually becoming acuminate. No hairs on the upper surface. Along the lower surface, veins are covered in hairs. Cuneate leaf base, 5-8 pairs of lateral veins, parallel or branched, petiole 5-12 mm in length. Sessile flowers from leaf axil, capitate. Corolla is white or light pink or purple. Spherical drupe, diameter 4-6 mm, blue when ripe.
Distribution: Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, southern China and Taiwan. In Taiwan, it is easily seen in low elevation hills. In some areas, it can be found near 2,000 meters in mid-elevation mountainous areas.
Specimen introduction: S. Yano specimen no. 71. Collection site is described as Keelon, which refers to present-day Keelung area. Collection date is July 10, 1896. This specimen number can be found in the collections of LE and TNM.
