Cyrtandra parvicalyx H.J.Atkins & Karton., 2021

Atkins, H. J. & Kartonegoro, A., 2021, A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF CYRTANDRA (GESNERIACEAE) IN SULAWESI, INDONESIA, Edinburgh Journal of Botany 78 (364), pp. 1-122 : 82-84

26. Cyrtandra parvicalyx H.J.Atkins & Karton. , sp. nov.

Similar to Cyrtandra widjajae Karton. in having markedly anisophyllous leaves, white, hairy flowers and hairy fruits, but distinguished by its shorter calyx (calyx 3–5 mm long, 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the corolla in C. parvicalyx versus calyx 6–10 mm long, 1/2 to 3/4 the length of the corolla in C. widjajae ); smaller leaves with fewer lateral veins (leaves 6–9 × 1.5–2.5 cm with 4 or 5 pairs of lateral veins in C. parvicalyx versus leaves 7–16 × 2–4 cm with 8–14 pairs of lateral veins in C. widjajae ) and longer pedicels (4–7 mm long in C. parvicalyx versus 2–4 mm long in C. widjajae ).

– Type: Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, Mt Sojol, 26 ii 2000, Mendum et al. 00158 (holotype BO, isotype E) . Figure 41 .

Shrub to 1 m in height. Stems striate, subglabrous, hairy on young growth. Leaves usually appearing alternate, sometimes opposite with one leaf of a pair markedly reduced; petioles 8–10 mm long, glabrous to sparsely hairy; blades 6–9 × 1.5–2.5 cm, oblanceolate to narrow oblanceolate, base acute, slightly asymmetrical, margin subentire to serrulate, apex long-acuminate; 4 or 5 pairs of lateral veins, curving upwards and eventually out to margin; subglabrous above, sparsely hairy below more densely so on midrib and veins. Reduced leaves (where present) cordate, 2 × 1 mm. Inflorescences axillary, sessile, 1- or 2(–3)-flowered; bracts linear, 2–3 × 1 mm, hairy, caducous; pedicels 4–7 mm long, hairy. Calyx cupular, evenly 5-lobed, white, 3–5 mm long, 1/4 to 1/3 corolla length, lobes narrow, acuminate at apex, 2–3 mm long, hairy externally. Corolla white, 12–16 mm long, narrow funnel-shaped, narrow in basal half then gradually widening to mouth, lobes spreading, upper lobes rounded, somewhat acute at apex, 3–4 × 2–2.5 mm, lower and lateral lobes oblong, acute at apex 3–4 × 2–3 mm, long white-hairy externally. Stamens with filaments 4–5 mm long, attached 7–8 mm from the base of corolla, glabrous; anthers 0.8–1 mm long, connected at tips before dehiscence; staminodes 3, lateral staminodes c. 0.5 mm long, central staminode slightly shorter. Gynoecium 10–14 mm long; disc cupular with deeply lobed margin, 1–1.5 mm long, glabrous externally but with a fringe of hairs along margin; ovary and style densely eglandular hairy; stigma bilobed, 1–1.2 mm across. Fruits narrow ovoid, c.10 × 3 mm (excluding style), densely hairy; style persistent, calyx not persistent.

Distribution. Central Sulawesi: Mount Sojol (see Figure 43 ).

Habitat and ecology. Upland forest at an altitude of c. 1400 m.

Etymology. This species is named for its short calyx relative to the length of the corolla.

Proposed IUCN conservation category. Cyrtandra parvicalyx is known only from the type location so it has not been possible to calculate the EOO, but it has an AOO of 4 km 2, based on a 2 × 2 km grid cell size, under the B criteria ( Bachman et al., 2011). It was collected in the Mount Sojol Nature Reserve (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN, 2019), from an altitude of c. 1400 m, close to the edge of montane forest sensu Cannon et al. (2007), which is one of the less threatened forest types in Sulawesi (70% of upland forests above 1500 m elevation are intact). Despite the very restricted distribution of this species, a category of Least Concern (LC) is suggested due to its location in a protected area and in a relatively unthreatened habitat.

Cyrtandra parvicalyx is known only from the type collection. It is part of a group on the island that share the characteristics of markedly anisophyllous leaves; white, hairy flowers; and hairy fruits. It can be most easily distinguished from the others in the group by a combination of its short calyx relative to the length of the corolla, its cordate reduced leaves, and its very narrow, tubular corolla widening only near the mouth.

Figures

Figure 41. Cyrtandra parvicalyx H.J.Atkins & Karton., sp. nov. a, Opened corolla, showing position of stamens and staminodes; b, opened calyx; c, habit; d, gynoecium including disc; e, fruit; f, side view of flower. Drawn by Claire Banks from Mendum et al. 00158 (habit and fruit from dried material, and floral details from spirit material).

Figure 43. Distribution of Cyrtandra nitida (red squares), C. parvicalyx (black triangle) and C. polyneura (white circles).