Thismia angustimitra (Thismiaceae), a new species from Thailand
SAHUT CHANTANAORRAPINT
PSU-Herbarium, Centre for Biodiversity of Peninsular Thailand (CBiPT), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University,Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand; e-mail: sahut.c@psu.ac.th
SUMMARY: A new species of the genus Thismia (Thismiaceae) from Thailand is described and illustrated.
Key words: Thismiaceae, Thismia angustimitra, Thailand, new species.
Distribution — Known only from the type locality in Phu Wau Wildlife Sanctuary,Nong Khai Province, Thailand.
Ecology & Phenology — Thismia angustimitra was collected on sandy soil coveredby leaf litters at the edge of a mountain in bamboo forest. Elevation 200 m. Flowering and fruiting in the rainy season.
Etymology — The specific name refers to the narrow mitre.
Notes — Thismia angustimitra is closely related to T. mirabilis, a species described from Khao Yai National Park and Ko Chang Island, Thailand, which also has three fovea at the top of the mitre, and has vermiform roots. However, T. angustimitra has a much narrower mitre with curved annulus, whilst T. mirabilis has a broad mitre anderect annulus. Within the treatment of Jonker (1938), T. mirabilis and T. angustimitra appeared to resemble the species in sect. Sarcosiphon, especially T. crocea (Becc.) J.J.Sm.T. clandestina (Blume) Miq . and T. episcopalism (Becc.) J.J.Sm., as they have in common reduced outer perianth lobes and their inner ones are connate to an erect mitre with three holes. However, the former differ from the latter in having vermiform roots, as the species in sect. Sarcosiphon have a coralloid root system.
Concerning the distribution range, as Nong Khai Province has a common border with Laos PDR, it is expected that the new species might occur in Laos PDR as well
Chantanaorrapint, S. 2008. A new species of the genus Thismia (Thismiaceae) from Thailand is described and illustrated. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. 53(3); 524-526: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea/2008/00000053/00000003/art00004<
