Mycetia dagohoyana, Dela Bajan Jr, Ulpiano P., Ordas, Jorge Anton D., Tandang, Danilo N. & Alejandro, Grecebio Jonathan D., 2017

Dela Bajan Jr, Ulpiano P., Ordas, Jorge Anton D., Tandang, Danilo N. & Alejandro, Grecebio Jonathan D., 2017, Mycetia dagohoyana: a new species of Argostemmateae (Rubiaceae) from Agusan del Norte, Philippines, Phytotaxa 292 (1), pp. 91-96 : 92-94

Mycetia dagohoyana dela Bajan, Tandang, & Alejandro, sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 2 )

Mycetia dagohoyana resembles M. javanica but can be distinguished by having a longer (9 − 11 mm), attenuate at apex, adaxially glabrous stipules (vs. 6–7 mm, bilobed at apex, adaxially puberulous stipules); a densely strigose leaf blade (vs. strigose leaf blade); subsessile inflorescences in congested thyrses (vs. inflorescences in lax thyrses) with more than 70 flowers (vs. 35 − 54 flowers); cupuliform, puberulous, 2 − 3 mm long calyces (vs. subglobose, glabrous, 4 − 5 mm long calyces); puberulous and shorter (1–2 mm) corolla lobes (vs. glabrous and 3–4 mm corolla lobes); and smaller (5 − 6 mm in diam.), subglobose, sparsely hirsute fruits (vs. 8 − 12 mm, globose, glabrous fruits).

Type: — PHILIPPINES. Agusan del Norte: Sak-a Falls trail, Brgy. San Antonio, Municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez , 9°07’19.59”N, 125°67’51.36”E, May 2012, D. Tandang & C. Banag HI-003 (holotype PNH 254981 ; isotype PNH 254981 ) .

Shrubs 1 − 2 m tall; young stems green, densely pubescent, mature stems light brown, sparsely pubescent; branches densely villous, sometimes becoming glabrescent. Stipules 9 − 11 mm long, ovate to lanceovate, attenuate at apex, adaxially glabrous, abaxially puberulous, persistent. Leaves anisophyllous; petioles 1 − 4 cm long, pubescent; leaf blades 18 − 22 × 5 − 6 cm, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, acuminate at apex, attenuate at base, chartaceous to drying papery, densely strigose on both surfaces and midrib, lateral nerves 17 − 19 pairs, arcuate, densely pubescent. Inflorescences terminal or pseudoaxillary, subsessile, congested thyrses with numerous flowers (more than 70 flowers); peduncle 3 − 5 mm long, pubescent to puberulous; bracts often sparsely to densely stipitate-glandular at margins, incised apex, young bracts ca. 3.3 × 2.3 mm, old bracts ca. 5.7 × 4.9 mm; pedicels 2.5 − 3.5 mm long, puberulous. Flowers hypanthium 2 − 3 mm long; calyx cupuliform, densely puberulous, limb 2 − 3 mm long, not deeply lobed; lobes 5, broadly triangular, 0.2 − 0.4 mm long, densely stipitate-glandular at margin and sometimes appearing lacerate; corolla tubular, white to bright yellow, sparsely villous inside, sparsely to densely villous outside, tube 3 − 4 mm long, lobes ovate to rounded, puberulous, 1–2 mm long. Fruits fleshy, white to pinkish-white, subglobose, 5 − 6 mm in diam., sparsely hirsute.

Etymology: — Mycetia dagohoyana is named in honor of the 96 th Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST), Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P.

Distribution and Habitat: — Mycetia dagohoyana occurs in the moist open areas of the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez, along the trail of Sak-a Falls Heading to Mt. Hilong-hilong in elevations of 100 to 200 m asl, growing on humus covered fertile and moist soils.

Phenology: —This species is observed to be flowering and fruiting on May.

Discussion: — Mycetia dagohoyana is morphologically similar to M. javanica by the measurements, shape, base and apex of their leaf blades, number of lateral nerves, and subsessile to pedunculate thyrse inflorescences. It differs by having a densely strigose leaf blades; longer (9 − 11 mm), attenuate at apex and adaxially glabrous stipules; congested thyrse inflorescences; cupuliform, puberulous, 2 − 3 mm long calyx; puberulous and shorter corolla lobes; and a smaller, subglobose and sparsely hirsute fruits. Table 1 provides a detailed comparison between M. dagohoyana and M. javanica .

Conservation Status: —Only one collection was made in the type locality of M. dagohoyana , and the distribution range of this species remains unknown. Thus, the conservation status of M. dagohoyana is Data Deficient (DD). The habitat of M. dagohoyana is threatened by anthropogenic effects and continuing decline is projected since the area of habitation and quality of environment is deteriorating due to logging activities occurring in the area. The area is not currently protected under the country’s National Integrates Protected System (NIPAS) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Mycetia dagohoyana. A. Fruiting branch. B. Inflorescence. C. Flowers. D. Calyx and corolla. E. Fruits. Photos taken by D. Tandang.

FIGURE 2. Mycetia dagohoyana. A. Branch. B. Inflorescence. C. Flower bud. D. Flower. E. Open corolla. F. Calyx lobe with marginal glands. G. Flower in longitudinal section. H. Fruit. I. Fruit in longitudinal section. From Tandang & Banag HI-003. Drawn by V. Tangcueco.