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| Rhododendron astrophorum M.N.Tamayo, Y.P.Ang & A.S.Rob., in Tamayo, Marcos-Langbao, Bustamante, Ang, Schubert, Mustaqim, Fritsch et Robinson, 2023. |
Abstract
A new micro-endemic species of Rhododendron is described and illustrated from botanical expeditions to the Victoria-Anepahan Mountain Range on the island of Palawan. It closely resembles Rhododendron wilkiei but differs in having leaves with laminae that are narrowly elliptic-oblanceolate, have adaxially indistinct venation, and are arranged in 4–8 active and mostly terminal pseudowhorls along the length of the stem; bracts without scales on the margin; yellow flowers with a red corolla tube interior that is densely hairy towards the base; and hairy anther filament bases. Morphological and geographical data place the species in Rhododendron sect. Schistanthe. The new species, together with a first record of Rhododendron vidalii on Palawan as part of this research, represent the tenth and eleventh members of this genus recorded from the island. A revised key to the Palawan species of Rhododendron is provided.
Keywords: Euvireya, Malesia, Taxonomy, Ultramafic, Vireya
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| Rhododendron astrophorum M.N.Tamayo, Y.P.Ang & A.S.Rob., sp. nov. A, Flowering branch; B, flower (apical view); C, flower and growth point (lateral view, showing bracts); D, size and shape variation in larger pseudowhorl leaves; E, leaf (abaxial surface); F, corolla (internal surface); G, calyx and filament bases, showing trichomes; H, base of corolla tube, showing trichomes; I, flower (corolla removed); J, anther (ventral and lateral view); K, pistil. Photographs of the holotype (AVAMR 85): A, F and I, Y. P. Ang; B and C, M. Tamayo; D, A. Robinson; E, G, H, J and K, R. Bustamante. |
Rhododendron astrophorum M.N.Tamayo, Y.P.Ang & A.S.Rob., sp. nov.
Closely resembles Rhododendron wilkiei Argent but differs in having leaves with laminae narrowly elliptic-oblanceolate and c.5–7 times as long as wide (vs elliptic and c.2.5 times as long as wide), venation adaxially indistinct (vs prominent) with 4–8 active pseudowhorls of leaves along the length of the stem (vs 2–3(–4) mostly terminal pseudowhorls), bracts without scales on the margin (vs with scales), yellow corollas with the tube interior red (vs red throughout), the internal surface of the corolla tube densely hairy on the proximal 3/4 (vs glabrous), and filaments hairy at the base (vs glabrous).
Etymology. The specific epithet astrophorum is derived from the Greek ἄστρον (ástron= star), and the suffix -φόρος (-phóros = bearing) in reference to the bright yellow corolla, which resembles small clusters of stars in the forest canopy
M. N. Tamayo, A. B. Marcos-Langbao, R. A. A. Bustamante, Y. P. Ang, D. C. Schubert, W. A. Mustaqim, P. W. Fritsch and A. S. Robinson. 2023. Rhododendron astrophorum (ERICACEAE, Rhododendron sect. Schistanthe), A New micro-endemic Species from Central Palawan, Philippines. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 80; 1-14. DOI: 10.24823/ejb.2023.1979
