Thismia domei and T. terengganuensis (Thismiaceae), two new species, and T. javanica, a new record from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
Author
Yunoh, Siti-Munirah Mat
Author
Nikong, Dome
text
PhytoKeys
2019
124
123
137
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.124.34728
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.124.34728
1314-2003-124-123
FFACFF8BFFD62072FF89FF8E2652265D
3261876
Thismia javanica J.J. Sm., Ann. Jard. Bot. Btzg. 23: 32. 1910
Figure 7
Thismia javanica
J.J. Sm., Ann. Jard. Bot. Btzg. 23: 32. 1910; Jonker, Fl. Malesiana 1,4: 23. 1948; Larsen, Fl. Thailand 5,1: 125. 1987. Specimen:
Dome Nikong FRI 91114
(KEP!)
Note.
Stem erect simple, rarely branched, up to 12 cm tall, 1-few flowered. Leaves scale-like, lanceolate to ovate, 3 mm long. Involucral bracts 3, orange. Perianth-tube urceolate, pale orange with darker stripes, with longitudinal bars inside connected by several transverse bars; outer perianth lobes orange, ovate, inner ones triangular, terminated by a 2-3 cm long appendage. Anthers 3-toothed at the apical margin, each tooth terminated by a hair; connective broad with quadrangular appendage. Ovary obovoid; style short; stigma truncate. Fruit orange, 6 mm long.
Distribution.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Conservation status.
We propose a regional conservation status for
T. javanica
in Peninsular Malaysia as Critically Endangered (B2 ab(iii)). Following the 2012 IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, (IUCN 2012), this species is assessed as critically endangered because it is only known from one locality where less than 6 individuals flowering and fruiting individuals were observed. It lies within a forest reserve that is threatened by selective logging activities that are currently on-going.
Notes.
The specimens of
Thismia javanica
were found not far from the
T. terengganuensis
population. We believe that
T. javanica
has a wider distribution in Peninsular Malaysia based on photographs of a specimen from Langkawi, Kedah, by late Abd Ghani Hussain. Unfortunately, there are no specimen to verify this.
Discussion.
The genus
Thismia is divided into two subgenera, subg. Ophiomeris
(Miers) Maas & Maas and
subg. Thismia
(
Kumar et al., 2017
). All Peninsular Malaysian species belong to
subgenus Thismia
. It is divided into five sections of which three occur in Peninsular Malaysia, (a) sect.
Thismia with two subsections, subsect. Brunonithismia
Jonker (
T. arachnites
,
T. javanica
) and
subsect. Odoardoa
Schlechter (
T. alba
,
T. aseroe
,
T. chrysops
,
T. domei
,
T. fumida
,
T. grandiflora
,
T. racemosa
), (b)
sect. Sarcosiphon
(Blume) Jonker (
T. crocea
), and (c)
sect. Geomitra
Kumar & S.W. Gale (
T. kelantanensis
,
T. clavigera
and
T. terengganuensis
).
Thismia terengganuensis
is a unique species which can hardly be assigned to any section of
Thismia
. However, we currently locate it under
sect. Geomitra
as its perianth lobes form a mitre with appendages.
Figure
7.
Thismia javanica
from Terengganu
A
habit
B
flower
C
opened to show the inside of the perianth tube. Photo credit: Dome Nikong.