[Botany • 2017] Orchidantha micrantha & O. megalantha • Two New Orchidantha Species (Lowiaceae) from Borne

Orchidantha megalantha 

 Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen

 DOI:  10.3767/blumea.2017.62.02.08

Abstract

Two new Orchidantha species discovered in Sarawak, Orchidantha micrantha and O. megalantha, are described and illustrated. They may well represent the species with the smallest and the largest flowers currently known in the genus and certainly from Borneo. With its small flowers, O. micrantha is similar to O. borneensis to which it is compared. The large-flowered O. megalantha is compared to the morphologically closest species, O. holttumii, from nearby Brunei. The conservation status of both new species is assessed and a key is provided to all Bornean species.

Keywords: Kubah National Park; Kuching; Malaysia; Matang; Mulu National Park; Orchidantha borneensis; Orchidantha holttumii; Sarawak; Zingiberales; vulnerable

Orchidantha micrantha only known from Kubah NP, Sarawak, Borneo (Poulsen & Leong-Škorničková, 2017. Blumea. 62: 157). The flower is the SMALLEST of all species of Lowiaceae. Like its big sister, O. megalantha, its smell may attract pollinating dung beetles.

 twitter.com/AxelGinger 

  Orchidantha micrantha Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen, sp. nov.

 Etymology. The epithet refers to the small flowers relative to other species of the genus.

Orchidantha megalantha from Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Borneo. We described it recently in the journal Blumea. The flower is the largest of the family Lowiaceae and its putrid smell may attract dung beetles to pollinate it.

 twitter.com/AxelGinger 

  Orchidantha megalantha Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen, sp. nov.

 Etymology. The epithet refers to the large flowers relative to other species of the genus.

  A.D. Poulsen and J. Leong-Škorničková. 2017. Two New Orchidantha Species (Lowiaceae) from Borneo.  Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants.   62; 157–162. DOI:  10.3767/blumea.2017.62.02.08

  twitter.com/AxelGinger/status/920420545312772101

 twitter.com/AxelGinger/status/922041459624370176

[Botany • 2014] Orchidantha virosa • A New Species (Lowiaceae) endemic to northern Vietnam

Orchidantha virosa 

  Škorničk. & Q.B.Nguyễn 

 DOI:  10.5252/a2014n2a6

ABSTRACT

Orchidantha virosa Škorničk. & Q.B.Nguyễn, sp. nov. (Lowiaceae), a new species from Phú ọ province, northern Vietnam is described and illustrated here. Thee new species is unique among other species in Vietnam and Laos in its robust habit and size (up to 2 m) and the non-petiolate leaves in mature individuals. e key to Orchidantha N.E.Br. species of Laos and Vietnam is accordingly updated.

Jana Leong-Škorničkováa, Quc Bình Nguynb and Otakar Šídac. 2014. Orchidantha virosa Škorničk. & Q.B.Nguyn, sp. nov. (Lowiaceae), A New Species endemic to northern Vietnam. Adansonia 36(2); 237-243. DOI:  10.5252/a2014n2a6

  http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/a2014n2a6-med.pdf

http://vnmn.ac.vn/en/research/63-a-new-species-of-ginger-discovered-from-vietnam

[Botany • 2014] Orchidantha lengguanii • A New Species (Lowiaceae) from Endau-Rompin National Park, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia, and Typification of O. maxillarioides

Orchidantha lengguanii Škorničk.

ABSTRACT

 A new Orchidantha species from Endau-Rompin National Park (Johor, Peninsular Malaysia), Orchidantha lengguanii Škorničk., is described and illustrated. It is compared to its morphologically most similar species Orchidantha maxillarioides (Ridl.) K.Schum., which is also illustrated. A lectotype and epitype for Orchidantha maxillarioides are also designated here.

Keywords: Epitype, Johor, lectotype, Lowia, Orchidantha maxillarioides, Protamomum, Sungai Selai, typification

Etymology. The species is named after its discoverer, Dr Saw Leng Guan, an excellent field botanist from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. He is not only a well known palm specialist, but also has a particular interest in the Zingiberales of Peninsular Malaysia (see e.g. Larsen et al., 1999).

Distribution. So far known only from the type locality in Endau-Rompin National

Park, Sungai Selai area.

Ecology & phenology. Growing in lowland dipterocarp forest, river side. The phenology is not well understood. The original collection made in August 2002 was flowering only sparsely. In cultivation, profuse flowering has been observed in November–December.

 J. Leong-Škorničková. 2014. Orchidantha lengguanii (Lowiaceae), A New Species from Peninsular Malaysia, and Typification of O. maxillarioides. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 66(1): 15-25. 2014

https://www.sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_66_1_pdf_Vol_66_Part_1_2014/4.4.66.1.02_y2014_V66P1_GBS_pg15.pdf