Systematic Study of Genus Amomum Roxb. sensulato in Sarawak

• Main Author: Aimi Syazana, Sedek
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2019
• Subjects: QK Botany; QR Microbiology; SB Plant culture; SD Forestry
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/26520/1/Aimi%20Syazana%20Bt%20Sedek%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/26520/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT In Borneo, Sarawak is well known by its diverse flora and fauna including gingers. Locally known as “buah pelaga” in Malay, Amomum is one of the genera in Zingiberaceae that comprises of 150-180 species in South-east Asia. Being the second largest genus after Alpinia, Amomum species are well distributed in various types of forest such as mixed dipterocarp forest, limestone forest, and kerangas forest with two habits found; terrestrial and epiphytes. In Sarawak, a total of 30 species has been described and yet many species are awaiting to be collected and described. However, recently Amomumhadre-circumscribed as a monophyletic genus where Amomum in Borneo have been split into five genera which include Amomum, Conamomum, Epiamomum, Sundamomum, and Meistera. Study revealed that there are still lot to be discoveredabout this genus in Sarawak. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to conduct a systematic study on the Amomum and allied genera in Alpinineae of Sarawak (i) based on morphological and anatomical characteristics, (ii) micromorphological and palynological characteristics of selected species, (iii) preliminary investigation on phytochemical compound of selected species.The results showed that identifications of this genus can be done with better understanding on morphology that include their flowers (anther crest and stigma), and also fruits. Furthermore, anatomy of leaves of selected Amomumand allied genera in Alpineaea species revealed data were useful and as aid in identifications to species level. Results showed Amomumanomalum had extended vascular bundles towards abaxial outline meanwhile Sundamomum macroglossa and Sundamomum dictyocoleum had large air chambers. However, pollen characteristics were not really useful since they possessed similar characteristics within genera. In addition, selected Amomum and allied genera in Alpinieae species were tested and screened for flavonoid, alkaloid and saponin compounds to provide basic information in chemotaxonomic study. Results revealed most of the species hadflavanoid, alkaloid, and saponin while other leaves aroma such as Amomum bungoensis produced similar aroma to green tea. Distribution of Sarawak’s Amomum was discussed in one of the chapters. Results revealed most of the species found in Lambir Hills National Park but scarcely in Betong, Sri Aman, Sibu and Mukah areas. Based on morphological and anatomical characteristics, two new species; Amomum paya Aimi Syazana & Meekiong and Amomum bungoensis Aimi Syazana & Meekiong have been described and published during this study. Keywords: Anatomy, anther crest, chemotaxanomy, morphology, palynology, stigma.Sarawak