Orchidantha Sarawakensis Sp. Nov. (Zingiberales: Lowiaceae), A New Species Endemic To East Malaysia, Borneo

• Main Authors: Syauqina Syasya, Mohd Yusoff, Meekiong, Kalu @ Qammil Muzzammil Abdullah, Aimi Syazana, Sedek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) 2019
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QK Botany
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/26284/1/syasya.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/26284/; https://www.frim.gov.my/publication/journal-of-tropical-forest-science-jtfs/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Lowiaceae is one of the eight families in Zingiberales and comprises a single genus, Orchidantha. This genus is restricted to South-East Asia and poorly known among Zingiberales. Currently, there are 25 species including a new species from Sarikei, Sarawak, O. sarawakensis Syauqina & Meekiong which is described and illustrated in this paper. Orchidantha sarawakensis is compared with species described in South-East Asia and also species described in Borneo. The comparison shows that O. sarawakensis is closely related to O. megalantha Škorničk. & AD Poulsen and O. holttumii K Larsen. The features that delineate O. sarawakensis as a new species is that its labellum possesses a prominent extended midrib throughout the apex with spirallike structure, curved upwards and a Y-shaped secretion tissue called viscidium. A key of Orchidantha to all Malaysian species is presented. Keywords: Orchidantha holttumii, O. megalantha, spiral-like, Sarawak