ORCHIDANTHA SARAWAKENSIS SP. NOV. (ZINGIBERALES : LOWIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES ENDEMIC TO EAST MALAYSIA, BORNEO

• Main Authors: Mohd Yusoff, Syauqina, Meekiong, Kalu, Aimi Syazana, Sedek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Forest Research Institute Malaysia 2019
• Subjects: QK Botany
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/31825/1/Syauqina.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/31825/; https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20193372105
• 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 spiral-like structure, curved upwards and a Y-shaped secretion tissue called viscidium. A key of Orchidantha to all Malaysian species is presented.