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| Typhonium cucullatum K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, in P. Saensouk, S. Saensouk, Hein, Boonma, Rakarcha et Naive. 2025. |
Abstract
Typhonium cucullatum, a new species from Sakon Nakhon Province, Northeastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. A detailed description, color plates, a discussion of similar taxa, phenology, distribution, and a conservation status assessment are provided.
Keyword: Areae, Aroideae, Cretaceous sandstone, Indochina, spathe movement, Typhonium laoticum
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| Typhonium cucullatum sp. nov. A. Excavated flowering individual showing adaxial surface of leaf blades, B. Side view of inflorescence at post-pistillate anthesis, C. Detail of spadix showing pistillate zone, sterile interstice, and staminate zone (nearside of spathe artificially removed), D. Spadix at post-pistillate anthesis (nearside of spathe artificially removed), E. Excavated flowering individual showing abaxial surface of leaf blades. Spathe movement of Typhonium cucullatum sp. nov. during anthesis. A. & B. Inflorescence at early pistillate anthesis, spathe limb erect, gaping and expanding to reveal the staminate zone, C. & D. Inflorescence at middle pistillate anthesis, spathe limb reflexing and curling strongly backward, E. & F. Inflorescence at post-pistillate anthesis, spathe limb gradually curving forward, with the lower part of the spathe limb margins strongly convolute, closing over the staminate zone, G. & H. Inflorescence at staminate anthesis, forward curvature of the spathe limb most prominent. (A., C., E., G. Front view of inflorescence, B., D., F., H. Side view of inflorescence) Photos by: Khant Zaw Hein. |
Typhonium cucullatum K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Typhonium cucullatum is unique within the genus in having a spathe limb that curves strongly forward, forming a hood-like shape at the end of pistillate anthesis and remaining intact through post-staminate anthesis despite signs of withering. In overall morphology, T. cucullatum is most similar to T. laoticum (Gagnepain, 1942), but can be readily distinguished by its spathe limb curving strongly forward (vs. the spathe limb reflexed backward in T. laoticum), a shorter staminate zone with 4–6 whorls of stamens (vs. 12–15 whorls of stamens in T. laoticum), and a stipitate appendix (vs. a sessile appendix in T. laoticum).
Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin cucullatus, meaning ‘hooded’, referring to the spathe limb becoming forwardly curved and hood-like.
Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Khant Zaw Hein, Thawatphong Boonma, Sarayut Rakarcha and Mark Arcebal K. Naive. 2025. Studies on Typhonium Schott (Araceae) of Thailand III: Typhonium cucullatum, A New Species from Sakon Nakhon Province, Northeastern Thailand. Taiwania. 70(3); 398-402. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.398 [2025 June 18] taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2087
