Corchoropsis tomentosa (Thunb.) Makino.
Corchoropsis Sieb. and Zucc. is a monotypic genus of herbs formerly classified in Tiliaceae or Sterculiaceae. The sole species, Corchoropsis tomentosa, is native to China (except northwest), Korea and Japan. A description can be found in the online Flora of China hosted by the Harvard University. (restricted use policy).
The genus was erected by Siebold(?) and Zuccarini in 1843, with the type species given as C. crenata. I have not seen an explicit statement that this is the same as C. tomentosa, but the pattern of references suggests that Corchorus tomentosus Thunb., which is the same plant, has priority over crenata, and hence tomentosa replaces crenata as the specific epithet.
Populations in China (Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong) and Korea are sometimes separated as C. psilocarpa Harms & Loes and C. intermedia Nakai. The former is distinguished by the possession of glabrous ovaries and fruits.
The genus is currently placed in Dombeyoideae.
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© 2003 Stewart R. Hinsley