Thursday, May 9, 2019

[Botany • 2019] Mitrephora monocarpa (Annonaceae) พรหมพนม • A New Species from Surat Thani Province, Peninsular Thailand


Mitrephora monocarpa R.M.K.Saunders & Chalermglin

in Saunders & Chalermglin, 2019. 
พรหมพนม  ||  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.121.34271 

Abstract
A new species, Mitrephora monocarpa R.M.K.Saunders & Chalermglin, sp. nov. (Annonaceae), is described from Surat Thani Province in Peninsular Thailand. It resembles two other species, M. alba Ridl. and M. keithii Ridl., with which it is broadly sympatric, but can be distinguished by its solitary flowers (not borne in thyrsoid inflorescences as in most other Mitrephora species), single carpel per flower (and hence single monocarp per fruit) and the lack of a monocarp stipe. A key to the nine Mitrephora species in Thailand is provided.

Keywords: Annonaceae, Mitrephora monocarpa, Thailand, new species

Figure 1. Mitrephora monocarpa sp. nov. (P. Chalermglin 581215). A Habit B leaves (left: adaxial; right: abaxial) C flower bud D young flower, shortly after separation of outer petals. Scale bar: 2 cm.
 Photos: P. Chalermglin.


Figure 2. Mitrephora monocarpa sp. nov. (P. Chalermglin 581215). A, B Pistillate-phase flowers C–E staminate-phase flowers (insert in D shows abscised stamens suspended by tracheary elements in the xylem) F late-stage flower, with petals turning yellow.
Photos: P. Chalermglin.

Mitrephora monocarpa R.M.K.Saunders & Chalermglin, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A new species similar to M. alba and M. keithii, but distinguished by its solitary flowers that are not borne in an inflorescence, its single carpel per flower and single sessile monocarp per fruit.
....

Distribution and habitat: Mitrephora monocarpa is only known from the type collection cited above, from a tropical rain forest over limestone, ca. 250 m elevation.

Etymology: The specific epithet reflects the fact that the flower has only a single carpel and, hence, the fruit consists of a solitary monocarp.

Local name: Phrom Phanom (พรหมพนม).


 Richard M.K. Saunders and Piya Chalermglin. 2019. Mitrephora monocarpa (Annonaceae): A New Species from Surat Thani Province, Peninsular Thailand. PhytoKeys. 121: 73-80. DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.121.34271