Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen, 1983

Yunoh, Siti-Munirah Mat, 2021, Chroesthes (Acanthaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia, including a new species from Kelantan and a new record from Terengganu, PhytoKeys 174, pp. 127-146 : 127

Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen Figs 7 , 8

Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen Nordic J . Bot. 3: 210. 1983. Basionym : Lepidagathis longifolia Wight , Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis 4 (4): 8-9, Pl : t.1564. 1850; Ridley , The Flora of the Malay Peninsula 2: 587. 1923. Type: Malaysia, Malacca, Griffith s.n. (lectotype K) .

Description.

Shrub 1-2.5 m high. Stem branches terete, glabrous. Leaves with petiole 0.5-2 cm long; lamina lanceolate, 16-24 × 3.4-8 cm, glabrous, lateral nerves up to 14 pairs, base attenuate, margin entire, apex acuminate. Inflorescence terminal raceme branching, up to 25 cm long; flowers secund, peduncles up to ca. 2.5 cm; one bract at each node being sterile, the other bract subtending one flower; bracts lanceolate, 15-20 × 4.5-6 mm, base obtuse, apex acuminate, glandular-pubescent, nerves conspicuous; bracteoles lanceolate, 10 × 3 mm, as bracts; pedicel very short. Calyx 1.6-1.8 cm long, posterior and anterior lobes elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, conspicuously nerved, one posterior lobe, elliptic-lanceolate, 18 × 8-9 mm, 3-5 nerved/conspicuously nerved, apex acuminate; two anterior lobes, elliptic-lanceolate, 16 × 5-6 mm, 1-nerved/conspicuously nerved, apex acute; two lateral lobes, linear-lanceolate, 10-12 × 0.5 mm, one-nerved; all glandular-pubescent on both sides; lateral segments linear, one-nerved, glandular-pubescent on both sides; calyx greenish to purplish on the upper part or at the apex. Corolla bilabiate, dark purple-maroon (or claret), 2-3 cm long; outer surface dark purple, dark maroon, claret, sometimes turning white, glandular-pubescent outside; inner surface, dark purple, dark maroon, claret, sometimes whitish on nerves and base, glabrous; narrow part of tube 0.6 cm long, inflated part 1 cm; upper lip shortly emarginate, ca. 3-4 mm long, lower lip deeply trifid, ca. 5 mm long. Stamens 4, inserted at the base of the inflated part of the corolla; longer pair filament 1 cm, shorter pair filament 0.8 cm, filaments 0.8-1 cm long, glabrous, sometimes with glandular trichomes; anthers thecae ca. 1 mm long, glandular-pubescent along the back, bicalcarate at the base. Pistil whitish-green, stigma capitate; ovary glabrous; style ca. 1.4 cm long, pubescent. Capsule ca. 1.5 cm long, glabrous.

Distribution.

Malaysia. Endemic to Peninsular Malaysia: Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor (Map 2 ) .

Ecology.

In primary lowland forest up to upper hill dipterocarp forest at 60 to 700 m a.s.l. Sometimes also found in logged and disturbed forests.

Conservation status.

Least concern ( LC). This is a widespread species throughout Peninsular Malaysia. However, many old collections are from places that have already changed its habitat. Development of these areas has led to population declines. However, its occurrence still has a wide range of distribution and many are still in totally protected areas.

Specimens examined.

Peninsular Malaysia. Johor: Batu Pahat : 6 November 1892, Lake HW s.n. ( SING); Ibid., November 1900, Ridley HN 11127 ( SING); Johor Bahru: Sedenak, August 1908, Ridley HN 13496 ( SING); Kluang: 16 November 1922, Holttum RE SFN9268 ( SING); Kluang FR , 28 August 1950, Sinclair J SFN 38950 ( SING); Kota Tinggi: Gn. Panti, 23 June 1963, Burkill HM HMB 3178 ( SING); Mawai, 9 September 1934, Corner EJH s.n. ( SING); Mawai Rd. , 24 January 1961, Sinclair J 10563 ( SING); Sg. Linggiu , 26 July 1991, Tay EP 91-0052 ( SING); Sg. Linggiu , 26 July 1991, Tay EP 91-52 ( KEP); Muar : Bkt. Keyara , 1902, Fox W 11283 ( SING); Gn. Ledang , June 1892, Ridley HN s.n. ( SING); Ibid., Muar , April 1901, Curtis C s.n. ( SING); Segamat : Sg. Juasseh, 28 June 1970, Samsuri A SA304 ( SING) ; Kedah: Langkawi, Gn. Machinchang FR , 17 March 1969, Chan YC FRI 11209 ( SING) ; Kelantan: Gua Musang, 14 July 1935, Henderson MR SFN 29657 ( KEP, SING); Gua Musang : Relai FR , 1 September 1992, Hamid H2 ( KEP); Kuala Krai : Gn. Stong, 5 March 1924, Mhd Nur SFN 12180 ( SING); Stong FR , 31 March 2009, Rosdi M FRI 66253 ( KEP SING); Stong Tengah FR , 6 February 2007, Chew MY FRI 53481 ( KEP); Kuala Lumpur , February 1890, Curtis C 2362 ( SING) ; Melaka: Jasin: Air Panas , 5 September 1886, Watchman under Derry 667 ( SING); Air Panas, November 1893, Goodenough JS 1690 ( SING); Chabau, 22 September 1885, Alvins MV 2256 ( SING); Merlimau, June 1889, Derry R 221 ( SING) ; Negeri Sembilan: Jelebu: Pasoh FR , 3 June 1987, LaFrankie JV LJV2276 ( KEP); Ibid., 4 July 1982 Kiew R RK1186 ( KEP); Ibid., 30 August 2010, Yao TL FRI 65469 ( KEP); Kuala Pilah: Angsi FR , Gn. Angsi, 10 December 1930, Syed A FMS23764 ( KEP, SING); Senaling, 24 June 1930, Corner EJH s.n. ( SING); Senaling Inas, 18 November 1929, Symington CF FMS 21356 ( KEP, SING); Senaling Inas FR , 28 November 1922, Holttum RE 9788 ( SING); Rembau: Perhentian Tinggi , December 1898, Ridley HN s.n. ( SING); Pahang: Bentong: Clough FR , Cpt. 37, 16 July 1958, Kochummen KM KEP 78709 ( KEP); Bentung , Karak FR , 14 July 1924, Best, GA, SFN 13899 ( SING); Jerantut : Gn. Aais FR , 5 July 2004, Sam YY FRI 49062 ( KEP); Ibid., 6 July 2004, Chua LSL FRI 46691 ( KEP); Kota Gelanggi , August 1891, Ridley HN 2174 ( SING); P . Tawar , July 1891, Ridley HN s.n. ( SING); Taman Negara Gn. Tahan, 31 July 1996, Kiew R RK3978 ( KEP); Taman Negara, Sg. Riul, 12 July 1970, Everett B FRI 14436 ( KEP); Taman Negara Ulu Sat Tg. Petir, 12 July 1970, Whitmore TC FRI 15267 ( KEP); Taman Negara Kuala Keniam, 7 September 2020, Siti Munirah MY FRI 94881 ( KEP); Lipis : Chegar Perah , 14 October 1927, Henderson MR SFN 19364 ( SING); Maran : Jengka FR , 10 April 2001, Sam YY FRI 46518 ( KEP); Temerloh: Gn. Benom, 14 June 1968, Teo LE 2714 ( SING); Temerluh : Fort Iskandar , 2 March 1950, Woods MC KL1720 ( SING); Ibid. , 2 March 1959, Woods MC KL1720 ( KEP); Gn. Senyum , 30 July 1928, Henderson MR s.n. ( SING); Kemasul FR , 16 September 2006, Hamid FMS10598 ( KEP); Krau WR, 10 November 1999, Damahuri S FRI 45314 ( KEP); Krau WR 12 July 2007, Mohd Hairul MA FRI 58921 ( KEP) ; Perak: Hulu Perak: Belum FR , 30 December 1993, Davison GWH UPM 6077 ( KEP) ; Selangor: Gombak: Bkt. Lagong FR , 5 May 1976, Chan YC FRI 23956 ( KEP, SING); Ibid., 11 November 1959, Kochummen KM KEP 94047 ( KEP, SING); Kanching FR , 17 September 1925, Strugnell EJ FMS10508 ( KEP); Kepong, 27 May 1970, Teo LE 2862 ( SING); Ulu Gombak, 4 July 1918, Sanger-Davies AE FMS2376 ( KEP, SING); Hulu Langat: Bkt. Batu Balai, 1 August 1959, Gadoh U KL1630 ( KEP); Bkt. Enggang, 3 April 1930, Symington CF FMS 24134 ( SING); Bkt. Tangkol, 1 October 1959, Gadoh U KL1810 ( KEP); Bkt. Tangkol, 25 July 1959 Gadoh U KL1621 ( KEP); Ulu Langat, 7 June 1979, Rajoo SA237 ( KEP); Hulu Selangor: Gading Forest Reserve, 19 July 1969, Chan YC FRI 11235 ( KEP); Klang, Klang Water Catchment Forest , 12 March 1922, Burkill IH SFN6849 ( SING); Petaling : Air Hitam Forest Reserve , 12 September 1985, Kiew R RK2065 ( KEP); Petaling Rd. , 21 June 1889, Ridley HN s.n. ( SING); Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve, 7 October 1926, Strugnell EJ 12495 ( KEP); Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve, 13 August 1923, Hamid FMS 8888 ( KEP); Labu River , Ridley HN s.n. ( SING); Sungai Buloh, 12 December 1923, Mhd Nur SFN 11886 ( SING); Sungai Buloh , 23 November 1956, Burkill HM HMB ( SING); Terengganu: Dungun: Bukit Bauk, 25 January 1994, Kiew R RK3793 ( KEP); Hulu Terengganu: Sg. Petuang, 26 March 1974, Ng FSP FRI 22026 ( KEP); Tasik Kenyir, 3 August 2007, Kamarul Hisham M FRI 52138 ( KEP, SING); Tasik Kenyir , 3 August 2007 Julius A FRI 56144 ( KEP); Tembat Forest Rerserve , 6 April 2009, Rosdi M FRI 66281 ( KEP); Tembat Forest Reserve , 3 April 2009, Siti Munirah MY FRI 67889 ( KEP); Setiu : Ulu Setiu Forest Reserve , 7 March 2002, Saw LG FRI 44390 ( KEP); Nerus Forest Reserve , Gunung Sarut , 24 June 2019, Imin K FRI 94046 ( KEP) .

Notes.

Ridley (1923) mentioned Chroesthes macrantha as present in Peninsular Malaysia based on Wray 3385 from Perak and that it is similar to C. longifolia . Hansen (1983) suggested that C. macrantha was probably a form of C. longifolia , but he had not observed Wray 3385, so was not able to clarify its status. Efforts to search for this specimen have also been unsuccessful. To date, the status of this taxon is uncertain. Besides, this name also appears not to have been validly published.

Figures

Map 2. Distribution of Chroesthes longifolia (●) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Figure 7. Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen. The drawing from the original protologue. Source: Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 4 (1850) t. 1564.

Figure 8. Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen, collected from Taman Negara, Pahang (Kuala Keniam) A habit B-D inflorescence B front view C side view D back view E bract F-I flower with bracteoles and calyx F from the top view G lower view H-I side view J corolla (inner view) showing the stamens and pistil K corolla lips (flower from front view) showing anthers (All photos by Siti-Munirah MY).