Scaphochlamys nigra 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 : 265-267

18. Scaphochlamys nigra Ooi, K. Meekiong & S.Y. Wong , sp. nov. 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

OIH76 (holo SAR), Figure 18

Diagnosis:— Scaphochlamys nigra is readily distinguishable from the other Bornean species by the shortly broad ovate and coriaceous leaf laminae with very deep dark green adaxial surface (almost black), and a solitary flower per bract.

Terrestrial, perennial, rhizomatous herbs, to c. 10 cm tall. Rhizome slightly below ground, c. 5 mm in diameter, externally light brown to greenish light brown, internally brownish white. Elements c. 5 mm apart, 1-foliate, juvenile not seen; petiole 2–4 cm long, canaliculate, glabrous, medium green, base pulvinate, white to light green; leafless sheath c. 3, 0.5–2 cm long, brownish light green, sparsely pubescent, drying with age; leaf sheath c. 0.5 cm long, membranous, white, glabrous, drying and shredding with age; ligule obscure; lamina 4–6 × 2.5–3.5 cm, short broad ovate, coriaceous, margin entire, base rounded, apex obtuse; adaxial surface semi-glossy, dark green to almost black, glabrous, midrib sunken, dark green, glabrous, main lateral veins inconspicuous; abaxial surface sparsely pubescent near midrib, glaucous green, midrib raised, dark green, glabrous, main lateral veins inconspicuous. Inflorescence c. 6 cm long, emerging from near leaf base inside leaf sheaths, tightly congested, comprised of c. 3 solitary flowers borne on a peduncle, flowering spirally from base to apex; peduncle c. 2.2 cm long, whitish light green, glabrous, covered with degraded leafless sheaths; bract c. 3, c. 15 × 3 mm, spirally arranged, lanceolate, membranous, sparsely pubescent, light brown, apex acuminate, each bract subtending a flower; bracteole 1, c. 12 mm long, shorter than bracts but barely distinguishable from bract, light brown; flower 2.9–3.4 cm long, without noticeable floral odour; calyx 8–10 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent, apex acute; floral tube 18–23 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent; corolla lobes 8–10 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. 4.5 × 1.5 mm, covered with glandular hairs, white; filament c. 0.5 mm long; anther thecae c. 3.5 mm long, with very short basal spur, crest c. 0.5 mm long; stigma less than 1 mm long, club-shaped with 2 dorsal knobs, ostiole ciliate, forward facing; style c. 25 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent; ovary c. 2 mm long, 1-locular, densely pubescent, white, placentation basal; epigynous glands 2, c. 1 mm long, free, needle-like, white. Fruit c. 12 × 4 mm, dehiscent capsule, elongated ovoid, whitish green (greenish white translucent cuticle-like pericarp enclosing green seed), sparsely pubescent, subtended by marcescent bracts. Seeds c. 10 × 3 mm, slightly elongated ovoid, glabrous, green; aril c. 4 mm, lacerate, yellowish white; perisperm white.

Etymology:—The specific epithet, nigra , refers to the deep dark green leaf lamina that is almost black.

Distribution and ecology: — Scaphochlamys nigra is known from the type locality and its vicinity. The species occurs on podzolic black soil over sandstone in kerangas (tropical heath) forest, 70–130m elevation.

Additional specimen examined (paratype):— MALAYSIAN BORNEO. Sarawak: Kuching Division , Bau, Gunung Buan, 01°33’28.9”N, 110°08’35.2”E, 11 February 2014, I.H. Ooi, J.D. Mood & T. Jepom OIH90 (SAR) ; Kampung Segong , Sungai Mutud, Mutud Waterfall, 01°33’11.5”N, 110°08’38.0”E, 25 October 2012, P.C. Boyce, S.Y. Wong & T. Jepom ZI-225 (SAR) ; Kampung Segong , Ulu Sungai Adis, 21 July 2004 Jeland K. & T. Jepom ZI-567 (SAR) .

Conservation status:—The conservation status of this species is Critically Endangered (CR), and meets criteria B.1.a., B.1.b.(iii), B.2.a., B.2.b.(iii), C.2.a.(i), and D. This species is only known from the type locality with a small population (Native Customary Rights land, non-protected area). Intensive logging activities on the other side of the mountain are encroaching.

Discussion:—This is the only Scaphochlamys species on Borneo with a single flower per bract. Another species reported to have solitary flower is S. biloba from South Thailand and North Peninsular Malaysia, which is differentiated from S. nigra by having reddish-brown coriaceous bract, larger flower, white labellum sometimes with red streaks along yellow median band near base, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic leaf lamina, usually with white variegated bands, and sometimes flushed purple lamina abaxially.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Scaphochlamys nigra. A. plant in habitat. B. inflorescence. C. lamina, adaxial surface, note very dark colour. D. lamina, abaxial surface. E. flower. F.fruit. G. bract and bracteole. H. stamen, note anther spurs.A–H from OIH76.