Thismia javanica J.J. Sm., Ann. Jard. Bot. Btzg. 23: 32. 1910

Yunoh, Siti-Munirah Mat & Nikong, Dome, 2019, Thismia domei and T. terengganuensis (Thismiaceae), two new species, and T. javanica, a new record from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, PhytoKeys 124, pp. 123-137 : 130-131

Thismia javanica J.J. Sm., Ann. Jard. Bot. Btzg. 23: 32. 1910 Figure 7

Thismia javanica J.J. Sm., Ann. Jard. Bot. Btzg. 23: 32. 1910; Jonker, Fl. Malesiana 1,4: 23. 1948; Larsen, Fl. Thailand 5,1: 125. 1987. Specimen: Dome Nikong FRI 91114 (KEP!)

Note.

Stem erect simple, rarely branched, up to 12 cm tall, 1-few flowered. Leaves scale-like, lanceolate to ovate, 3 mm long. Involucral bracts 3, orange. Perianth-tube urceolate, pale orange with darker stripes, with longitudinal bars inside connected by several transverse bars; outer perianth lobes orange, ovate, inner ones triangular, terminated by a 2-3 cm long appendage. Anthers 3-toothed at the apical margin, each tooth terminated by a hair; connective broad with quadrangular appendage. Ovary obovoid; style short; stigma truncate. Fruit orange, 6 mm long.

Distribution.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Conservation status.

We propose a regional conservation status for T. javanica in Peninsular Malaysia as Critically Endangered (B2 ab(iii)). Following the 2012 IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, (IUCN 2012), this species is assessed as critically endangered because it is only known from one locality where less than 6 individuals flowering and fruiting individuals were observed. It lies within a forest reserve that is threatened by selective logging activities that are currently on-going.

Notes.

The specimens of Thismia javanica were found not far from the T. terengganuensis population. We believe that T. javanica has a wider distribution in Peninsular Malaysia based on photographs of a specimen from Langkawi, Kedah, by late Abd Ghani Hussain. Unfortunately, there are no specimen to verify this.

Discussion.

The genus Thismia is divided into two subgenera, subg. Ophiomeris (Miers) Maas & Maas and subg. Thismia ( Kumar et al., 2017). All Peninsular Malaysian species belong to subgenus Thismia . It is divided into five sections of which three occur in Peninsular Malaysia, (a) sect. Thismia with two subsections, subsect. Brunonithismia Jonker ( T. arachnites , T. javanica ) and subsect. Odoardoa Schlechter ( T. alba , T. aseroe , T. chrysops , T. domei , T. fumida , T. grandiflora , T. racemosa ), (b) sect. Sarcosiphon (Blume) Jonker ( T. crocea ), and (c) sect. Geomitra Kumar & S.W. Gale ( T. kelantanensis , T. clavigera and T. terengganuensis ). Thismia terengganuensis is a unique species which can hardly be assigned to any section of Thismia . However, we currently locate it under sect. Geomitra as its perianth lobes form a mitre with appendages.

Figures

Figure 7. Thismia javanica from Terengganu A habit B flower C opened to show the inside of the perianth tube. Photo credit: Dome Nikong.