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| Newmania sessilanthera Lưu & Škorničk Fig. 1. Newmania sessilanthera Lưu & Škorničk. A. Habit. B. Flowers. C. Leaves (abaxially). D. Flower enclosed in bract. E. Base of leafy shoot with inflorescences.
From type Lưu Hồng Trường, Trần Giỏi, Đỗ Cao Trí PY29 (Photos: Lưu Hồng Trường)
H.T. Lưu, J. Leong-Škorničková, L.X.B. Nguyễn, et al. 2015.Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 67(2)
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ABSTRACT
Newmania sessilanthera Lưu & Škorničk., a new species from Phú Yên province
in central Vietnam, is described and illustrated here. Notes on this species, the third described
to date, and a new key to the species of Newmania N.S.Lý & Škorničk. are provided.
Keywords. Conservation, Phú Yên province, species key
Distribution. So far the species has been collected from three localities in Sông Hinh and Tây Hòa districts, all in Phú Yên province in central Vietnam.
Habitat and phenology. Understorey of lowland evergreen tropical forests, growing on moist soils on granite and along streams. Flowering occurs from June to August, followed by fruiting which likely extends to September or early October.
Etymology. The specific epithet reflects the lack of the filament in this species.
Provisional IUCN conservation assessment. Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)). So far three localities, each with fewer than 100 scattered individuals, have been observed. The known EOO is currently slightly less than 100 sq.km. but there is enough suitable habitat in the vicinity that it is likely the real EOO is more than 100 sq.km. but certainly less than 5000 sq.km.
The type locality is adjacent to agricultural land, recently established from cleared forest. Further deforestation may occur posing a threat to the population. The other two populations are within large forested areas with no obvious threats.
Notes. Newmania, now with three species, remains endemic to central Vietnam, although preliminary studies from various researchers suggest further species extending throughout the Annamite mountain range to southern Vietnam. Newmania species seem to be steno-endemic and, therefore, susceptible to any rapid habitat changes. This has implications for any conservation effort. The lack of a filament in Newmania sessilanthera differentiates it readily from the other two currently known species. Additional differences from Newmania orthostachys are outlined above in the diagnosis. It is somewhat similar to Newmania serpens by the presence of a striking red patch on the purple and white labellum, but differs by its erect inflorescences composed of compact spikes (vs. inflorescence
prostrate on the ground with more or less lax spikes).
H.T. Lưu, J. Leong-Škorničková, L.X.B. Nguyễn, C.T. Đỗ and T.T. Hoàng. 2015. Newmania sessilanthera (Zingiberaceae): A New Species from Vietnam. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 67(2): 351–355. DOI: 10.3850/S2382581215000289
