Globba longiligulata Sangvir., 2021

Sangvirotjanapat, Sunisa & Newman, M. F., 2021, Eight new species of Globba (Zingiberaceae) from Thailand and Lao PDR, Phytotaxa 505 (2), pp. 139-156 : 147-149

Globba longiligulata Sangvir. , sp. nov. (Section Ceratanthera )

Similar to Globba leucantha Miq. in its two-appendaged anther, flower colour and long decurrent labellum base with short cornicula but differing by its long, deeply bilobed ligule, 3–8 × 1–2 mm (vs. truncate or shallowly bilobed, 3–5 mm long) and undulate leaf blades (vs deeply plicate leaf blades).

Type: THAILAND. Trang, Huai Yot, Wat Tham Iso, 10 August 2005, Pooma , R., Phattarahirankanok, K., Sirimongkol, K. & Poopath, M. 5629 (holotype BKF!, isotypes AAU!, E! [00646946]). Fig. 5 .

Herb 20–60 cm tall. Leaf sheaths c. 5 mm in diam., bladeless 2–4, pubescent, red-brown tint; ligule deeply bilobed, lobes triangular, 3–8 × 1–2 mm, glabrous or puberulent, with red tint or green; blades 4–11, oblong to narrowly elliptic, 8.5–26 × 1–8 cm, base cuneate or obtuse, apex acuminate, strigillose along veins above, pubescent below, margin undulate, membranaceous, sessile, green. Inflorescence erect, lax, conical, 7–15 × 5–15 cm; peduncle 1–3 cm long; rachis glabrous, white or purple; bracts caducous, elliptic, 3–7 × 2–4 mm, hooded, apex acute, glabrous, whitish purple; bracteoles as bracts but smaller; cincinni with 6 flowers each, 5–8 mm apart, white or purple. Flowers c. 3 cm long; ovary ellipsoid, 2 × 1 mm long, white; style filiform, stigma geniculate, ostiole ciliate, usually extending beyond anther thecae, purple; calyx infundibuliform, c. 5 mm long, trilobed, lobes acute, whitish purple; floral tube c. 7 mm long, hairy, white; dorsal corolla lobe elliptic, c. 4 × 3 mm, shallowly hooded, apex obtuse, whitish purple, lateral corolla lobes slightly smaller than dorsal corolla lobe; lateral staminodes oblong, c. 8 × 2 mm, apex obtuse, twice as long as lateral corolla lobes, white with orange tip; labellum oblong, c. 9 × 2 mm, base long decurrent on filament with short cornicula, apex shallowly bilobed, lobes obtuse, white with yellow lobes; nectar tube c. 4 mm long; stamen: filament c. 20 mm long, white; anther orange, elliptic, c. 2 × 1 mm, connective tissue reddish orange; appendages 2, white, linear, c. 3 × 1 mm, held at c. 45° to anther, apex acuminate. Fruit white, globose, 5–8 mm in diam., smooth, seeds not seen. Bulbils not seen.

Etymology: Latin, longus, long and ligula, a small tongue, referring to the long ligules which are diagnostic of this species.

Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand.

Proposed IUCN conservation status: Least Concern (LC). Globba longiligulata is locally common but has a restricted range in Peninsular Malaysia. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is about 14,000 km 2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 40 km 2. It is known to occur in five localities, three of which are protected areas and have no major threats to the populations. This species is therefore assessed as of Least Concern.

Ecology: Growing in shade with high humidity along streams or by waterfalls.

Specimens examined: Thailand.— Krabi: Tham Suea ( Tiger Cave ), 10 km N of Krabi, 80 m, 10 July 1992, Larsen et al. 43249 ( AAU, PSU) ; Krabi, Khlong Chi Lat , 6 km from Krabi, 50 m, Larsen et al. 43344 ( AAU) ; Phangnga, Khao Phra Mi , 500 m, 7 July 1972, Larsen et al. 30715 ( AAU, K) ; Satun, Thung Wa, Than Plio waterfall, 5 July 2007, Maknoi 1546 ( QBG) . Surat Thani: Khlong Phanom National Park , trail from park HQ, 200 m, 7 September 2008, Middleton et al. 4360 ( E, AAU, PSU, BKF) ; Ban Ta Khun, Chiao Lan, Tham Phon Phet nature trail, 17 July 2013, Chamchumroon et al. 5833 ( E, BKF) ; Chieo Lan dam, c. 35 km ENE of Takua Pa, 100 m, 10 June 1992, Larsen 42773 ( AAU, P, PSU) ; Khlong Saeng, Ban Kaeo , 50 m, 7 May 1981, Smitinand sn. ( BKF) . Trang: Huai Yot, Wat Tham Iso , 150 m, 14 June 2006, Williams, K. J. 1739 ( A) ; Yan Ta Khao district, Khao Banthat Mountains, trail to summit of Phu Pha Mek , 400 m, 5 April 2003, Middleton et al. 1888 ( BKF) ; Lamphura , 200 m, 15 November 1990, Larsen et al. 41393 ( PSU, AAU) .

Peninsular Malaysia: Perlis: near cave mouth of Gua Burma, 28 June 1993, Kiew RK 3657 ( SING). Kedah: Pulau Langkawi, Lubuk Semilang, 12 August 1994, Zainudin 5261 ( L) .

Notes: Globba longiligulata has been misidentified as G. leucantha Miq. ( Fig. 2B , Table 1) for a long time because its striking flower colour, which combines violet, yellow and white, resembles that of G. leucantha . Moreover, they both occur in Peninsular Malaysia. Generally in Globba , the ligule is not used as a distinguishing character but the long ligule of this species is unique and reliable in identifying herbarium specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. Globba expansa Wall. ex Horan. B. G. leucantha Miq. C. G. nisbetiana Craib. Photographs by S. Sangvirotjanapat.

FIGURE 5. Globba longiligulata Sangvir. A. Habit B. Leaves C. Ligule D. Inflorescence E. Flower F. Flower dissection; lcl = lateral corolla lobe, dcl = dorsal corolla lobe, ls = lateral staminode, lb = labellum G. Anther and anther appendages. Scale bars: A = 10 cm; B & D = 5 cm; C & G = 5 mm; E & F = 1 cm. Photographs A–C, F–G by Sangvirotjanapat S.; D–E by Pongamornkul W.