Pseuduvaria phuyensis (R. M. K. Saunders, Y. C. F. Su, & Chalermglin)
Y. C. F. Su & R. M. K. Saunders, comb. nov. (2010)
Craibella phuyensis R. M. K. Saunders, Y. C. F. Su, & Chalermglin gen. et sp. nov. (2004)
ABSTRACT
A new genus and species, Craibella phuyensis (Annonaceae), is described from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. Craibella is a genus of small trees with pendent, unisexual flowers; the petals are in two whorls, with the larger inner whorl forming a mitriform dome over the reproductive organs. It is suggested that the genus is most closely related to Pseuduvaria and Orophea, but is distinguished from both by the combination of leaf-opposed inflorescences, elongated-conical torus in staminate flowers, and unusual staminal connectives that are apically expanded but do not extend distally over the thecae. Other significant differences include unisexual flowers, distinguishing Craibella from Orophea, and solitary pollen grains (monads), distinguishing it from Pseuduvaria.
FIG. 2. Flowers and fruits of Craibella phuyensis. A. Entire flower, with three reflexed outer petals and three connivent inner petals; sepals not visible. B. Staminate flower, with closest inner petal removed. C, D. Monocarps, illustrating color variation. (A, B, R. M. K. Saunders et al. 99/2; C, D, P. Chalermglin 420701). Scale bars: A, B 5 ca. 5 mm; C, D 5 ca. 10 mm.
Craibella R. M. K. Saunders, Y. C. F. Su & Chalermglin, gen. nov.
—TYPE SPECIES: Craibella phuyensis R. M. K. Saunders, Y. C. F. Su & Chalermglin, sp. nov.
Etymology: After William G. Craib (1882–1933), plant taxonomist based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, specializing on the flora of Thailand.
Craibella phuyensis R. M. K. Saunders, Y. C. F. Su & Chalermglin, sp. nov.
— TYPE: THAILAND. Kanchanaburi Province, Sangkhlaburi District: Phuye, ca. 35 km N of Thong Pha Phum, ca. 158 09 N, 988 409 E, undergrowth of closed canopy in primary forest, 15 December 1999, R. M. K. Saunders, A. D. Weerasooriya & P. Chalermglin 99/2 (holotype: BKF; isotypes: C [X 2], CMU, HKU, K [X 2], L [X 2]).
Distribution and Ecology. Apparently endemic to Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand (Fig. 5). Growing under closed canopy in a primary forest, at low elevations (150–300 m). Co-occurring species include: Arenga westerhoutii Griff. (Palmae); Dillenia indica L. (Dilleniaceae); Magnolia liliifera (L.) Baill. (Magnoliaceae); Miliusa thorelii Finet & Gagnep. (Annonaceae); Polyalthia simiarum Benth. & Hook. f. (Annonaceae); and Pseuduvaria setosa (King) J. Sinclair (Annonaceae). The creation of the Khao Laem Dam in 1984 (subsequently re-named the Wajiralongkorn Dam) resulted in the flooding of considerable areas of similar forest, and possibly reduced the number of populations of Craibella phuyensis. A more immediate risk to surviving populations, however, is the slash-and-burn cultivation practiced by the indigenous hill tribes.
Thai vernacular name. อนุพรหม Anuphrom.
Saunders, R. M. K., Y. C. F. Su, and P. Chalermglin. 2004. Craibella phuyensis (Annonaceae): a new genus and species from Thailand. Systematic Botany 29: 42–49. DOI: 10.1600/036364404772974202
Yvonne C. F. Su, Tanawat Chaowasku, and Richard M. K. Saunders. 2010. An Extended Phylogeny of Pseuduvaria (Annonaceae) with Descriptions of Three New Species and a Reassessment of the Generic Status of Oreomitra. Systematic Botany. 35:1, 30-39 DOI: 10.1600/036364410790862533
