Scaphochlamys hasta Ooi, K. Meekiong & S.Y. Wong, 2017

Hin, Ooi Im, Kalu, Meekiong & Yeng, Wong Sin, 2017, A review of Scaphochlamys (Zingiberaceae) from Borneo, with description of eleven new species, Phytotaxa 317 (4), pp. 231-279 : 262

16. Scaphochlamys hasta Ooi, K. Meekiong & S.Y. Wong , sp. nov. Type:—MALAYSIAN BORNEO. Sarawak:

Kuching Division, Bau, Bogag, 01°21’35.5”N, 110°03’44.5”E, 11 January 2014, I.H. Ooi & K. Jeland OIH80 (holo

SAR), Figure 16

Diagnosis:— Scaphochlamys hasta is readily distinguishable from S. petiolata by its long lanceolate lamina and long slender petiole, dark green midrib, and adaxially slightly sunken main lateral veins.

Terrestrial, perennial, rhizomatous herbs, to c. 40 cm tall. Rhizome slightly below ground, c. 5 mm in diameter, externally greenish light brown, internally yellow. Elements c. 1–15 mm apart, 1-foliate, juvenile polyphyllous, up to 6-foliate; petiole 11–17 cm long, canaliculate, light to medium green with white dots, glabrous, base pulvinate, greenish white to brownish green; leafless sheath c. 4, 0.5–13 cm long, light green to light brown, glabrous, drying with age; leaf sheath c. 1.5 cm long, membranous, glabrous, white, drying and shredding with age; ligule obscure; lamina 17–22 × 3–4 cm, lanceolate, semi-coriaceous, margin entire to slightly undulate, base attenuate, apex acuminate; adaxial surface semi-glossy, light green to medium green, glabrous, midrib sunken, dark green, glabrous, main lateral veins slightly sunken; abaxial surface glabrous, glaucous green, midrib raised, dark green, glabrous, main lateral veins visible. Inflorescence c. 7–9.5 cm long, emerging from near leaf base inside leaf sheaths, tightly congested, comprised of 3–5, 2-flowered cincinni borne on a peduncle; peduncle c. 4–6.5 cm long, greenish white, glabrous, covered with marcescent leafless sheaths; bract 3–5, c. 22 × 6 mm, spirally arranged, lanceolate, membranous, light brown, sparsely pubescent, apex acuminate, each bract subtending 2 flowers; bracteole 2, 12–19 mm long, shorter than bracts but barely distinguishable from bract, light brown; flower 4–4.5 cm long, without noticeable floral odour; calyx 12–13 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent, apex acute; floral tube 30–40 mm long, sparsely pubescent, white; corolla lobes 8–9 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous, yellowish white, apex acute, hooded; staminodes 4–6 mm long, linear to slightly oblanceolate, adaxial surface covered with glandular hairs, light yellow, apex acute to rounded; labellum 9–11 × 8–10 mm, spathulate, adaxial surface covered with glandular hairs, white at base and violet till apex with a light yellow median band, apex 2-lobed, indented c. 4 mm, lobes sometimes slightly overlapping; stamen c. 5 × 2 mm, covered with glandular hairs, white; filament c. 1 mm long; anther thecae c. 3.5 mm long, spurless, crest c. 0.5 mm long; stigma less than 1 mm long, club-shaped with 2 dorsal knobs, ostiole ciliate, forward facing; style c. 42 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent; ovary c. 2 mm long, 1-locular, white, pubescent, placentation basal; epigynous glands 2, c. 1 mm long, free, needle-like, yellowish white. Fruit and seeds not seen.

Etymology:—The specific epithet, hasta , spear in Latin, indicates the spear head-like leaf lamina.

Distribution and ecology: — Scaphochlamys hasta is only known from the type locality in shady kerangas (tropical heath) forest on podzolic black soil over sandstone, of c. 80 m elevation.

Conservation status:—The conservation status of this species is Vulnerable (VU), meeting criteria B.1.a., B.1.b.(iii), B.2.a., B.2.b.(iii), and D.1. Scaphochlamys hasta is only known from a single population. An assessment of Vulnerable is appropriate as the area is subjected to conversion into agricultural farm.

Discussion:—Refer to discussion in S. petiolata below.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Scaphochlamys hasta. A. plant in habitat. B. plant before pressing. C. lamina, adaxial surface, note sunken main lateral veins. D. lamina, abaxial surface, note visible dark green main lateral veins. E. inflorescence. F. flower. G. stamen, note spurless anthers. H. bract and bracteoles.All from OIH80.