Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes, 2013

Hughes, Mark, 2013, Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M. Hughes (Melastomataceae), a new species of tree from Peninsular Malaysia, European Journal of Taxonomy 56, pp. 1-9 : 3-7

Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77131845-1 Table 1 , Figs 2 , 3

Memecylon heteropleurum auct . non Blume: King, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 69 part II, No 1: 78 (1900).

Memecylon megacarpum auct . non Furtado: Maxwell, Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 33: 91 (1980), Tree Flora of Malaya 4: 193 (1989).

Diagnosis

The new species, M. pseudomegacarpum , differs from M. megacarpum in having smaller leaves (8–) 10.5–17(–22.5) cm rather than (10–)17–28(–35) cm long, with an elliptic lamina (not lanceolate) with

a raised mid-rib (not sunken) and a marginal vein which is 2–4 mm from the margin (not 5–12 mm); in floral and fruit characters the species are similar.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek pseudo-, meaning resembling but not equalling, and the epithet of the species Memecylon megacarpum (Latin; the large-fruited Memecylon ).

Type

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: Kelantan, Gunung Chamah, about 200 m on logging road above Camp Tengah, 5°10’48”N, 101°33’35”E, alt. 1240 m, 4 Aug. 2010, Wilkie, P., Ong, P. T., Imin, K. & Nazre FRI 72079 (holo-: KEP, iso-: E) ( Fig. 2 ).

Other specimens examined

THAILAND: Trang: Yan Ta Khao, Sai Rung Falls, 25 Apr. 1987, Maxwell 87-421 ( AAU, PSU). Yala: Bannang Sata, Than To Waterfall, 9 Dec. 1972, Santisuk 350 ( C, K).

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: Kedah: 33 rd mile Jeniang road, 21 Oct. 1938, Kiah SFN35959 ( KEP, SING); Bongsu F. R., 29 Apr. 1970, Everett FRI 14169 ( KEP, SING); Bukit Enggang Reserve, 13 Jun. 1966, Whitmore FRI 0405 ( KEP, SING); Gunong Bintang, Bukit Blakang Parang, 15 Apr. 1928, Haniff SFN21048 ( SING); Khao Mai Forest Reserve, 3 Apr. 1938, Kiah SFN35153 ( KEP, SING). Penang: West Hill, Apr. 1886, Curtis 814 ( SING). Perak: May 1889, Wray, J. L. 3425 ( SING); Gunong Bubu, 18 Aug. 1966, Ding DH 662 ( KEP); ibid., 29 Feb. 1970, Suppiah FRI 11746 ( KEP, SING); Larut, Sep. 1884, King’s collector 6621 ( P, SING [2]); ibid., May 1884, King’s collector 6075 ( E); ibid., Apr. 1883, King’s collector 5090 ( E); Slim Hills F. R., 8 Sep. 1966, Whitmore FRI 0817 ( KEP, SING); Sungai Ryah, Nov. 1880, King’s collector 1110 ( SING); Taipeng, Waterfall Hill, 1904–1914, Burn-Murdoch 162 ( SING); Ulu Kerling, 1886, King’s collector 8589 ( P, SING); ibid., Mar. 1886, King’s collector 8689 ( SING). Kelantan: Gunong Stong, 13 Aug. 1969, Whitmore FRI 12415 ( KEP, SING); Ulu Sungai Lebir Kechil, 17 Sep. 1967, Cockburn, P. F. FRI 7115 ( KEP, SING). Terengganu: Bukit Lanjut F. R., 18 Sep. 1969, Loh FRI 13459 ( KEP, SING); Gunong Tebu, 1 Jun. 1974, Shah & Shukor MS 3303 ( KEP); Jungle path to Gunong Tebu, 1 Jun. 1974, Shah et al. MS 3303 ( SING); Ulu Telemong F. R., 16 Sep. 1969, Loh FRI 13445 ( KEP, SING). Pahang: Bt. Beserah F. R., 15 May 1967, Whitmore FRI 3751 ( KEP); Batu Balain, 23 Nov. 1924, Burkill. & Haniff SFN15829 ( SING); Beserah, 4 Dec. 1924, Burkill & Haniff SFN16135 ( SING); Bt. Beserah F. R., 15 May 1967, Whitmore FRI 3751 ( SING); Cameron Highlands, Robinson Falls, 23 Feb. 1947, Henderson s.n. ( SING); Frasers Hill, 16–20 Sep. 1922, Burkill & Holttum 7869 ( SING); ibid., 9 Mar. 1995, Chin et al. 4514 ( KEP, SING [2]); Gua Peningat, 14 Jul. 1970, Loh FRI 17225 ( KEP); Kadouchong, Pulau Tawar, Aug. 1891, Ridley 2242 ( SING); Krau Wildlife Reserve, 13 Oct. 1999, Christensen 2356 ( KEP); Krau, Kuala Lumpat, 19 Apr. 1970, Soepadmo 759 ( SING); ibid., 19 Apr. 1970, Soepadmo ES759 ( KEP); Lesong Forest Reserve, 27 Apr. 1971, Suppiah FRI 14891 ( KEP, SING); Merapoh F. R., 16 May 1980, Kamarudin FRI 28738 ( KEP); Raub, 22 Mar. 1971, Sohadi FRI 14661 ( KEP, SING); ibid., 19 Nov. 1929, Strugnell FMS20464 ( SING); Raub, Tersang F. R., 29 Dec. 1930, Ali FMS23365 ( SING); Rompin, Gunong Lesong, 25 Nov. 1973, Shah & Shukor MS 3112 ( C, SING); Sg. Henderik, 13 Oct. 1931, Osman 28309 ( KEP); ibid., 13 Oct. 1931, Osman FRI 28305 ( KEP); Sungai Teku, 29 Jul. 1936, Kadim s.n. ( SING); Sungei Lemoi, 15 Sep. 1931, Jaamat FMS28188 ( SING); Taman Negara, South side of Sg. Riul, 14 Jul. 1970, Everett FRI 14458 ( KEP, SING); Temerloh, Kemasul F. R., 1 Sep. 1966, Ismail FRI 98912 ( SING); ibid., 1 Sep. 1966, Ismail KEP 98912 ( KEP); Ulu Sungai Sat, 9 Jul. 1970, Shah & Noor MS 1743 ( KEP, SING); ibid., 12 Jul. 1970, Shah & Noor MS 1843 ( C, KEP [2], SING); Ulu Sungai Wi, 13 Aug. 1934, Jaamat 33746 ( KEP). Selangor: Bukit Laggong, 6 Mar. 1969, Suppiah KEP 108881 ( KEP); Bukit Lagong F. R., 6 Apr. 1960, Kochummen FRI 79112 ( KEP, SING); ibid., 20 May 1947, Smith 52283 ( KEP); Gading F. R., 19 Jul. 1969, Chan FRI 11239 ( KEP, SING); ibid., 22 Jul. 1969, Chan FRI 13190 ( KEP); Ginting Highlands Road, 30 May 1973, Kochummen FRI 16730 ( KEP, SING); Kuala Lumpur, 1890, Mat 2053 ( SING); Near Ginting Highlands College, 9 May 1972, Kochummen FRI 16520 ( KEP, SING); Semangko F. R., Aug.–Sep. 1968, Ando et al. AKK36 ( KEP); ibid., Aug.–Sep. 1968, Ando et al. AKK22 ( KEP); ibid., 5 Feb. 1972, Suppiah FRI 19244 ( KEP); Telok Forest Reserve, 9 Dec. 1970, Kochummen FRI 16260a ( KEP); Ulu Gombak F. R., 24 May 1967, Kochummen FRI 2353 ( KEP [2], SING); ibid., 28 Feb. 1968, T. & P. 2643 ( SING); ibid., 20 Apr. 1961, Yong FRI 99002 ( KEP, SING); Weld Hill Forest Reserve, 10 Apr. 1917, Hamid 965 ( SING); ibid., 28 May 1925, Jaamal FRI 10266 ( SING). Negeri Sembilan: Bukit Tangga, Dec. 1920, Ridley s.n. ( SING); Bukit Tanggah, 4 Dec. 1969, Everett FRI 13781 ( KEP, SING); Gunong Angsi, 25 Nov. 1923, Nur 11699 ( SING); Gunong Angsi F. R., 18 Feb. 1971, Sohadi FRI 14612 ( KEP, SING); Pasoh Forest Reserve, 16 Mar. 1988, Lafrankie 2891 ( KEP); ibid., Jun. 1987, Lafrankie 2308 ( KEP); ibid., 21 Oct. 1981, Rogstad 593 ( KEP); ibid., 6 Nov. 1978, Suppiah FRI 28164 ( KEP, SING). Malacca: Sungei Udang, Jun. 1890, Derry 582 ( SING). Johor: Gunong Ma’okil Muar, 21 Apr. 1974, Samsuri & Shukor SA 957 ( C, KEP, SING); Gunong Panti base, 28 May 1939, Corner SFN36290 ( KEP, SING); Gunong Pulai Forest Reserve, 23 Sep. 1970, Chan FRI 17539 ( KEP, SING); Mawai-Jemaluang road, 20 Jan. 1935, Corner SFN 28683 ( SING); ibid., 9 Feb. 1935, Corner SFN29016 ( SING); NW Johore, Gunong Ledang, 21 Feb. 1989, Khairuddin FRI 32814 ( KEP); Sedenak, Aug. 1908, Ridley 13507 ( SING).

SINGAPORE: Bukit Mandai, 1892, Ridley 3614a ( SING); Bukit Timah N. R., 10 Oct. 1938, Henderson Tree211 ( SING); ibid., 1892, Ridley 9210 ( SING); ibid., 17 Mar. 1951, Sinclair 6805 ( E); Bukit Timah N. R., North View Path, 26 May 1970, Noor MN 1203 ( SING); Bukit Timah N. R., Quarry Road, 7 Nov. 1995, Tang & Sidak 1033 ( SING); Chan Chu Kang, 1893, Goodenough 5092 ( SING); ibid., 1894, Ridley 6215 ( SING); Changi, Feb. 1894, Ridley 5928 ( SING); Gardens Jungle, 8 Apr. 1983, Kiah SK 647 ( SING); ibid., 22 Mar. 1977, Samsuri SA 1474 ( C, SING).

Description

Shrub or more usually a small to medium-sized tree, to 15 m high; bole to 15 cm diameter. Bark very thin, dark grey to brown, finely fissured. Branchlets brown, 2 grooved or slightly flattened on 2 sides, becoming terete when mature, internodes 3.5–11 cm long, demarked by a thin interpetiolar line. Leaves opposite, simple, glabrous; petiole 1–4 mm long, 2 mm wide; lamina stiff, glossy green above, drying dark brown and slightly paler reddish brown beneath, usually elliptic, sometimes elliptic-lanceolate, (8–) 10.5–17(–22.5) × (4–)5–7(–9) cm; base obtuse or acute, usually c. 90°; margin entire; apex acuminate to shortly acuminate, acumen up to 15 mm long; mid-rib raised above, sometimes flattish, prominent below; venation pinnate, lateral veins visible and slightly sunken above, 14–16 pairs, prominent below and appearing quite straight and regularly spaced; marginal vein distinct, looping between the lateral veins, 2–4 mm from margin. Inflorescences axillary, either on older leafless branches or amongst the leaves, glomerulate with 5–15 flowers, total length c. 1 cm, glabrous; primary peduncles very short, 1–2 mm long, often arising from woody tubercles. Flowers bisexual; pedicels stout, c. 2 mm, 2 conspicuous triangular bracteoles sometimes present; ovary inferior, indistinct from the calyx; calyx initially subglobose, very pale pink, 3–4 mm diameter, quite fleshy, becoming funnel-shaped and truncate at maturity with 4 short slits, minutely papillose; petals 8, very pale pink, triangular, c. 4 mm long, reflexed; anthers 8, with an elongated C-shaped blue connective, with a large and distinct centrally placed gland; style filiform, caducous, stigma minute. Fruits unilocular berries; stalk 2–3 mm long; berry large for the genus, globose, often very slightly flattened at the poles, 13–17 × 15–18 mm, slightly rough in texture; calyx remnant raised, 3–4 mm wide.

Distribution

Southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore ( Fig. 3 ).

Conservation status

Least Concern. The species is widespread in Peninsular Malaysia and occurs in several protected areas.

Ecology

Common in primary or disturbed lowland mixed dipterocarp forest often on flat and poorly drained areas on riverbanks and valley bottoms, but also found on hillsides and ridges, from low altitudes to occasionally c. 1400 m in hill mixed dipterocarp forest or in peat swamp forest or on limestone hills.

Figures

Fig. 2. Image of an isotype of Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. [Wilkie et al. FRI172079 (E)].

Fig. 3. The distribution of Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov.