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| Cyrtandra loratiloba Bramley, in Bramley, Jennings, Yafdas, Yokbari, Mapandin, Wanma et Heatubun. 2025. |
Summary
Cyrtandra loratiloba Bramley is presented here as new to science. Due to its unusually narrow, ‘strap-shaped’ corolla lobes, large staminodes and the atypical insertion of the fertile stamen pair in the corolla mouth at the base of the three, lower corolla lobes, C. loratiloba is immediately distinct from any known Cyrtandra species. A full description, distribution map, illustration, photo plate and preliminary conservation assessment are provided.
Key Words: Papua Barat, taxonomy, understorey, Vulnerable
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| Cyrtandra loratiloba. A habit; B individual showing inflorescence placement; C close-up of flower, note strap-shaped lower lobes, glandular hairs and protruding staminodes. photos: G. L. C. Bramley. |
Cyrtandra loratiloba Bramley sp. nov.
Recognition. The pale greenish-yellow coloration of the corolla, the waxy texture and almost patent angle at which the three strap-shaped lower lobes are held, in combination with the staminodes, which protrude from the mouth of the corolla, each at a transverse angle so their ends cross, make this species unique in Cyrtandra. In addition, the stamens are inserted at the corolla mouth, at the point at which the lower lobes protrude from the corolla tube; in Cyrtandra it is typical for the stamens to be inserted lower down the tube. In flower, it is immediately distinct to any other Cyrtandra, with no obvious similar species.
Etymology. The epithet ‘loratiloba’ refers to the unusually narrow, ‘strap-shaped’ corolla lobes characteristic of this species.
G. L. C. Bramley, L. V. S. Jennings, E. Yafdas, C. Yokbari, L. V. Mapandin, J. F. Wanma and C. D. Heatubun. 2025. Cyrtandra loratiloba (Gesneriaceae): A Species New to Science from Indonesian New Guinea. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10328-2 (09 December 2025)
