Aristolochia vallisicola T.L.Yao, 2012

Yao, Tze Leong, 2012, Aristolochia vallisicola (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia, PhytoKeys 14, pp. 15-22 : 16-17

Aristolochia vallisicola T.L.Yao sp. nov. Figures 1 3

Note.

This species differs from all other Peninsular Malaysian Aristolochia L. species in its lamina with pinnate lateral veins, inflorescence with a long peduncle, its disc-shaped perianth limb, annulated hairy perianth mouth and 3-lobed gynostemium. This species is similar to Aristolochia coadunata Backer in the lanceolate or oblanceolate lamina with pinnate lateral veins but differs in its larger disc-shaped perianth limb, 58-65 mm diam. versus 15-30 mm diam. in Aristolochia coadunata and its longer peduncle, 15.5-17 cm long versus up to 2 cm long in Aristolochia coadunata . This species is also similar to Aristolochia versicolor S.M.Huang in the lanceolate or oblanceolate lamina with pinnate lateral veins but differs in its longer petiole, 2.5-7 cm long versus 1-2 cm long, broader leaves, at least 7.5 cm wide versus to 6.5 cm wide, and longer peduncle, 15.5-17 cm long versus 2-3(-10) cm long in Aristolochia versicolor . The summary and other characters comparison is presented in Table 1 .

Type. Peninsular Malaysia. Pahang: Genting Highlands, Awana Waterfall. 26 November 1999 (fl), R.Kiew 4879 (holotype SING!, barcode 78162).

Description.

Slender climber. Stem ca 2.5 mm thick, surface shallowly furrowed, sometimes smooth, puberulent, trichomes hooked. Leaves: petiole twisted, 2.5-7 cm long, ca 2.5 mm thick, puberulent, indumentum a mix of hooked and straight hairs; lamina lanceolate or narrowly oblanceolate or oblanceolate, 15-24 × 7.5-14 cm; base cordate, auricles rounded, sinus 2-3 mm deep, 8-12 mm wide, margin entire, apex acute; leathery; lamina surface above glabrescent, with scattered black gland dots, lamina surface below puberulent, indumentum a mix of longer straight and shorter hooked hairs; midrib above sunken, below prominent; lateral veins pinnate, above faint, below prominent, basal pair 1, pinnate pairs 5-7; intercostal veins net-like. Inflorescences cauline, solitary; peduncle branched once; 15.5-17 cm long, ca 2 mm thick, puberulent, indumentum mainly of hooked trichomes, scattered with long spreading hairs. Bracts ovate, ca 3 × 1.5 mm, pubescence, base cuneate, apex acute. Flowers: pedicel ca 40 mm long, ovary ca 13 × 2 mm, villous; perianth glossy, greyish pale orange with purple tinge, purple beneath, ca 6.5 cm long, outer surface sparsely villose with shorter hooked trichomes, tube geniculately curved, utricle cylindric, ca 30 × 8 mm, inner surface with a glistening white patch of stellate trichomes, perianth tube ca 35 × 8 mm, limb disc-shaped, 5.8-6.5 cm diam., 3-lobed, venation faint, mouth annulate, villous; gynostemium in transverse section faintly trigonal; stamens 6, anthers ca 3 × 0.3 mm; stigmatic lobes 3, conical, ca 0.8 mm long, apex blunt. Fruit and seed unknown.

Vernacular name.

Akar telinga berok (Malay).

Distribution.

Aristolochia vallisicola isendemic in Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang. It has only been found on Titiwangsa Range and its vicinities.

Ecology.

Thisspecies occurs in highland valleys of lower montane forest about 1000 m altitude and often by rocky streamsides. Specimens with flowers werecollected in September and November.

Etymology.

The species name vallisicola denotes its habitat preference for valleys.

Conservation status.

Least Concern. This species occurs above 1000 m altitude, a habitat which is protected by Malaysian legislation.

Specimens examined.

Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang: Ulu Kelau, Raub, 24 September 1929 (fl), Kalong FMS 20248 (KEP, barcode 196080); Genting Tea Estate, R. Kiew s.n. (KEP, barcode 196081).

Figures

Figure 1. Distribution of Aristolochia vallisicola (●).

Figure 3. Aristolochia vallisicola T. L. Yao, A insertion of an inflorescence in axil of petiole scar at thickened stem node B villous inflorescence bract C annulated perianth mouth D an inflorescence with an opened flower E flower bud F gynostemium. (All from Kiew RK 4879.)