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| Rigiolepis bungeputih Mustaqim & M.N.Tamayo, in Mustaqim, Tamayo, Arico et Fritsch, 2025. Photos: Wendy A. Mustaqim. |
Abstract
Rigiolepis bungeputih Mustaqim & M.N.Tamayo, a close relative of blueberries (Vaccinium L.) and endemic to the tropical evergreen mossy rainforest of northern Gayo Plateau, Sumatra, Indonesia, is here described. It closely resembles R. gayoensis Mustaqim, M.N.Tamayo & P.W.Fritsch, but differs by having a glabrous stem, larger leaves, glabrous pedicels, white corollas, and larger stamens. Photographs, an illustration, and a detailed morphological description are included. Rigiolepis bungeputih represents the second endemic Rigiolepis Hook.f. species known from the island of Sumatra. This discovery raises the number of Rigiolepis species found in this island to four. A discussion on the ovary character of Rigiolepis in view of ongoing molecular studies is presented.
Keywords: blueberry, Malesia, taxonomy, tropical rainforest, Rigiolepis, Vaccinium
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| Rigiolepis bungeputih. A. Habitat and epiphytic habit (plant indicated by a blue arrow). B. Branchlet showing leaf adaxial surface. C, D. Branchlet showing leaf abaxial surface and inflorescence. E. Inflorescence, lateral view. F. Flower, anterior view. G. Immature infructescence. H. One mature (left) and two immature (right) fruits. I. Cross section of fruit showing a pseudo-10-locular ovary. Photos: Wendy A. Mustaqim. |
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| Illustration of Rigiolepis bungeputih based on the type material (W.A. Mustaqim 2719). A. Flowering branchlet. B. Leaf (adaxial view). C. Leaf (abaxial view). D. Lateral view of inflorescence. E. Flower (lateral view). F. Flower (anterior view). G. Stamen (ventral view). H. Stamen (dorsal view). I. Fruit cross section showing a pseudo-10-locular ovary. Illustration by Maverick N. Tamayo. |
Rigiolepis bungeputih Mustaqim & M.N.Tamayo, sp. nov.
Type: INDONESIA: Sumatra Island, Aceh Province, AcehTengah Regency, Jagong Jeget Subdistrict, ..., 2310 m elevation, 15 June 2023,W.A. Mustaqim 2719 (holotype: LGS; isotype: UIDEP).
Diagnosis: Rigiolepis bungeputih closely resembles R. gayoensis but differs by having a glabrous stem (vs pubescent),larger leaves (60–72 × 35–40 vs 46–55 × 22–25 mm), glabrouspedicels (vs pubescent on 1/2 to 3/5 of pedicel length), whitecorollas (vs red), and larger stamens (1.8–2.1 vs 1.5–1.7 mm)
Etymology: The epithet “bungeputih” is derived from the Gayonese words “bunge” (flowers) and “putih” (white), in reference to the white corolla of the species.
Wendy A. Mustaqim, Maverick Narceda Tamayo, Zulfan C. Arico and Peter W. Fritsch. 2025. Rigiolepis bungeputih (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae), A New Species from northern Gayo Plateau, Sumatra, Indonesia. Telopea. 29; 119–125.
https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/TEL/article/view/20201
https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/TEL/article/view/20201
