[Botany • 2026] Sadiria kachinensis (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae) • A New Species from Myanmar

Sadiria kachinensis Utteridge & Nob.Tanaka,

in Utteridge, Armstrong, Yoneda et Tanaka. 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.744.3.1

 

Abstract

Sadiria kachinensis from Kachin State, Myanmar is described and illustrated as a species new to science. It is morphologically similar to S. boweri and S. solanifolia but differs in several characters especially the smaller leaves on the vegetative shoots and the flowering branches, larger inflorescences and petals, and smaller sepals. In addition, this new species is compared to S. eugeniifolia var. burmanica, the only other member of Sadiria in Myanmar.

 Burma, Ericales, Indo-China, South-East Asia, taxonomy, Eudicots

Sadiria kachinensis Utteridge & Nob.Tanaka.
 A habit; B detail of leaf margin; C inflorescences; D flower; E single calyx lobe; F detail of overlapping corolla lobes; G flower opened to show stamens opposite the corolla lobes; H ovary and style (flower with corolla removed); I stamen abaxial view; J stamen adaxial view; K ovary; L fruit with persistent style.

Drawn from Armstrong et al. 4307 (TNS). Scale bars: A = 3 cm, C, D, G, H, L = 5 mm, E & F = 1 mm, I, J & K = 3 mm. Illustration by Kaoru Yoneda.

Sadiria kachinensis Utteridge & Nob.Tanaka.
A. habit; B. plagiotropic (flowering) branch with inflorescences and flowers pre-anthesis; C. plagiotropic branch with fruits; D. inflorescence/flower detail, note exserted styles in the flowers on the right hand side; E. fruit detail, note persistent style (dry and black).

 Photographed by Kate Armstrong.

Sadiria kachinensis Utteridge & Nob.Tanaka, sp. nov. 

 Recognised in the genus Sadiria by the leaves (ortho- and plagiotropic) drying greenish and the shorter plagiotropic reproductive branches, and unique amongst those species in the combination of the following characters: 3–4 leaves in pseudowhorls along the erect (orthotropic) stems, these orthotropic leaves, elliptic and 9.5–13 × 3.5–4.5 cm; the lateral plagiotropic (reproductive) flower-bearing branches (4–)6.5–11 cm long, with 3(–5) leaves along the length of the branch; orthotropic and reproductive shoots leaves drying green; pendulous inflorescences sessile or with a very short rachis to 2 mm long; the corolla fused for approximately three-quarters of its length; stamens with anthers 2 mm long; and the style conspicuously exserted at anthesis and extending ca. 3 mm beyond the apex of the corolla lobes.

Timothy UTTERIDGE, Kate E. ARMSTRONG, Kaoru YONEDA and Nobuyuki TANAKA. 2026. Sadiria kachinensis (Myrsinoideae, Primulaceae), A New Species from Myanmar.  Phytotaxa. 744(3); 205-211. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.744.3.1 [2026-03-10]

[Botany • 2025] Mappianthus kachinensis (Icacinaceae) • A New woody climber from Kachin State, Myanmar

 

Mappianthus kachinensis Utteridge & K.Armstr.,

in Utteridge, Aung, Wheatcroft, Plummer et Armstrong. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2025.53.1.04

Drawn by Andrew Brown.

Abstract

Mappianthus kachinensis, a new species currently only known from Kachin State, Putao District, northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated. A detailed description along with etymology, conservation status, and a line illustration are provided for a new species. The genus is still poorly known, and this discovery increases the number of species in Mappianthus to at least three. Problems with species delimitation in the genus are also briefly discussed.

Keywords: Icacinales, Iodes, Mappia, China, Borneo, new taxon, taxonomy

Mappianthus kachinensis Utteridge & K.Armstr.:
A. Habit of flowering stem; B. Detail of main stem showing warty lenticels; C. Leaf node with one peduncle; D. Node with branched tendril; E. Branch of inflorescence showing denser indumentum below flowers; F & G. Hydrated flowers; H. Fruit, side view; J. Fruit on inflorescence.

A–C, F & G from Armstrong et al. 1318; D & E: from Armstrong et al. 1142; H & J from Armstrong et al. 1034. Drawn by Andrew Brown.

Mappianthus kachinensis Utteridge & K.Armstr., sp. nov.

Recognised in the genus Mappianthus by the combination of the following characters: glabrous to sparsely hairy on the vegetative parts, chartaceous, ovate leaves with relatively long petioles to 2.5 cm long, the staminate inflorescence with a peduncle to 6.5 cm long, and the glabrous oblongoid fruits.

Timothy M. A. Utteridge, Mu Mu Aung, Hannah Wheatcroft, Jack Plummer and Kate E. Armstrong. 2025. Mappianthus kachinensis (Icacinaceae), A New woody climber from Kachin State, Myanmar. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 53(1); 25–32. DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2025.53.1.04

https://x.com/timutteridge/status/1922144930262139210

[Botany • 2023] Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae) • A New Species from northern Peninsular Malaysia

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
  

in Julius, Siti-Munirah et Utteridge, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.103649

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisia recurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisia recurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Key words: Ericales, Malesia, Myrsinaceae, subgenus Crispardisia, Taman Negeri Kenyir, taxonomy

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
A flowering branches B flower bud (i), mature flower (ii) and flower with corolla removed (iii) C flower (spread) showing the stamen arrangement D adaxial view of sepal E ventral (left) and dorsal surfaces (right) of anther F anterior (left) and lateral views (right) of ovary G leaf margin with venation details and bacterial nodule H pustule-like structure on leaf margin crenation.

Illustration by Mohd Aidil Nordin.

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
 A habitat (inset: Ai habit Aii inflorescence position on lateral shoot and main stem) B lateral branch with flowers and young fruits C, D flowers.

 Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, sp. nov. 

(§ Crispardisia)

 

Diagnosis: Ardisia recurvipetala is the only Ardisia species with the following combination of characters: leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures, lamina raised between the venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, inflorescences on the main shoot and specialised lateral branches, white flowers with recurved petals with a pink patch at the base of the corolla lobes.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from its recurved corolla lobes.

Avelinah Julius, Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah and Timothy M. A. Utteridge. 2023. Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), A New Species from northern Peninsular Malaysia. PhytoKeys. 232: 89-98. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.103649

[Botany • 2021] Ardisia recurvisepala (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae) • A New Species from Peninsular Malaysia

Ardisia recurvisepala Julius & Utteridge

in Julius et Utteridge, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.480.1.7 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348482264 

Abstract

Ardisia recurvisepala Julius & Utteridge sp. nov. (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a member of Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia on account of the vascularized leaf marginal glands, is herein described and illustrated as new species. The new species can be easily recognized by the elliptic-oblong calyx lobes recurving at the apex, and is also characterized by the narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic leaf laminas with an attenuate-decurrent base and acuminate-caudate apex. Ardisia recurvisepala is known so far from a single locality in Perak and its conservation status is assessed as Vulnerable (VU). An updated key to Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia in Peninsular Malaysia is provided.

Keywords: conservation status, endemic, Malesia, Perak, South-East Asia, subgenus Crispardisia, taxonomic key, Ericales, Eudicots

Ardisia recurvisepala Julius & Utteridge.
A Habit, flowering. B Habit, fruiting. C Flower, bud. D Flower, mature. E Calyx-lobes, showing the adaxial and abaxial surface. F Corolla-lobe, dissected. G Flower dissected to show the stamen arrangement. H Stamens, showing abaxial surface. I Anther. J Ovary and pistil. K Ovary dissected to show the ovules. L Simple, short and segmented hairs on ovary. M Fruit. N Fruit dissected to show the seed. O Vascularized glands at leaf margin: i opened abaxial glands showing hairs inside, ii elongated shape of vascularized glands on adaxial surface.

 Illustration by Mohamad Aidil Nordin.

 

Ardisia recurvisepala Julius & Utteridge sp. nov.

Etymology:— The species epithet is derived from the calyx shape.

Avelinah Julius and Timothy M. A. Utteridge. 2021. Ardisia recurvisepala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), A New Species from Peninsular Malaysia. Phytotaxa. 480(1); 79–84. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.480.1.7

  Researchgate.net/publication/348482264_Ardisia_recurvisepala_a_new_species_from_Peninsular_Malaysia