Scaphochlamys stenophylla Ooi & Wong (2014: 242)

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 : 271-274

22. Scaphochlamys stenophylla Ooi & Wong (2014: 242) . ≡ Borneocola stenophyllus (Ooi & S.Y. Wong) Sam in Sam et al. (2016: 48). Type:—MALAYSIAN BORNEO. Sarawak: Kuching Division, Bau, Gunung Buan, 01°33’28.9”N, 110°08’35.2”E, 21 November 2013, I.H. Ooi & T. Jepom OIH74 (holo SAR!), Figure 22

Terrestrial, perennial, small clumping herbs, to 25 cm tall. Rhizome horizontal on ground, c. 5 mm in diameter, externally brown, internally yellowish white. Elements 1–3 mm apart, 1-foliate; petiole 3–6 cm long, canaliculate, green with scattered glaucous dots, glabrous, pulvinate at base; leafless sheath c. 2, 1.5–3.5 cm long, brownish green, glabrous, drying papery with age; leaf sheath 3–5 cm long, margin thin, broad, glabrous, green, drying out with age, terminating in an obscure membranous ligule (often hard to observe); lamina 6–18 × 1–2 cm, linear to very narrowly lanceolate, coriaceous, margin entire, base cuneate, apex acuminate; adaxial surface glabrous, medium green to dark green, midrib sunken, lateral veins inconspicuous; abaxial surface glabrous, glaucous green, midrib raised, main lateral veins slightly visible. Inflorescence 6–7 cm long, emerging from near leaf base inside leaf sheaths, tightly congested, comprised of c. 3, 2-flowered cincinni borne on a peduncle; peduncle 2–2.5 cm long, glabrous, hidden at base of leaf; bract c. 3, c. 20 × 4 mm, spirally arranged, lanceolate, brownish white, glabrous, apex acuminate, each subtending c. 2 flowers; bracteole c. 2, 5–15 mm long, shorter than bracts but barely distinguishable from bract; flower 4–4.5 cm long, reminiscent of torch-ginger ( Etlingera elatior ) tissues; calyx 8–10 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent, apex acute; floral tube 2.5–3 cm long, white, sparsely pubescent; corolla lobes c. 10 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous, white, apex acute, hooded; staminodes 7–8 mm long, linear to slightly oblanceolate, adaxial surface covered with glandular hairs, white, apex acute; labellum 14–15 × 12–13 mm, spathulate, adaxial surface covered with glandular hairs, violet with a light yellow band along median line until distal cleft, apex 2-lobed, indented c. 4 mm, lobes sometimes slightly overlapping; stamen c. 5.5 × 1.5 mm, covered with glandular hairs, white; filament c. 1 mm long; anther thecae c. 4 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. 3 cm long, white, sparsely pubescent; ovary c. 2 mm long, 1-locular, yellowish white, densely pubescent; epigynous glands 2, c. 1 mm long, free, needle-like, yellowish white. Fruit c. 11 × 4 mm, dehiscent capsule, elongate ovoid, glabrous, green, subtended by a marcescent bract. Fruit and seeds not seen.

Distribution and ecology: — Scaphochlamys stenophylla is known only from the type locality occurring in shady ridge kerangas forest on podzolic black soil over sandstone, between 90–120 m elevation.

Conservation status:—The conservation status of this species is Vulnerable (VU), and meets criteria B.1.a., B.1.b.(iii), B.2.a., B.2.b.(iii), and C.2.a.(i). The populations in the type locality are subjected to disturbance by the commercial logging activities on the other side of the mountain. The areas where the species occurs are not within protected boundaries.

Additional specimen examined:—MALAYSIAN BORNEO. Sarawak: Kuching Division, Bau, Gunung Moi, 01°31’52.7”N, 110°07’42.5”E, 30 March 2014, I.H. Ooi & T. Jepom OIH106 (SAR).

Discussion:—This species is very distinctive from other species by the linear to very narrow lanceolate leaf laminae, but the lamina length is quite variable in different populations.

Figures

FIGURE 22. Scaphochlamys stenophylla. A. whole plant. B. pulvinate petiole base. C. inflorescence with bud and wilted flower. D. lamina adaxial surface. E. lamina abaxial surface. F.bud with visible violet veins. G. corolla lobes opening, labellum uncoiling. H. flower at anthesis, labellum violet with light yellow band along median line until distal cleft. I. corolla lobes reflexed. J. semi-erect fruit. K. immature fruit cross-section. L. stigma and crest. M. spurless anther (specimen in alcohol). N. bracts and bracteoles, artificially opened. A, C, F, G, I & J from OIH74 (type); B, D, E, H, K, L & M from OIH171; N from OIH91.