Benstonea thomissophylla (B. C. Stone) Callm. & Buerki

Callmander, Martin W., Lowry Ii, Porter P., Forest, Félix, Devey, Dion S., Beentje, Henk & Buerki, Sven, 2012, Benstonea Callm. & Buerki (Pandanaceae): characterization, circumscription, and distribution of a new genus of screw-pines, with a synopsis of accepted species, Candollea 67 (2), pp. 323-345 : 339

43. Benstonea thomissophylla (B. C. Stone) Callm. & Buerki , comb. nova.

≡ Pandanus thomissophyllus B. C. Stone in Fed. Mus. J. 14: 133. 1972.

Typus: MALAYSIA. Sarawak (Borneo): Bau Dist., Bukit Jebong , 10.VII.1970, Anderson & Chai S29924 (holo-: KLU image seen ; iso-: SAR!).

Distribution and ecology. – Benstonea thomissophylla is endemic to limestone hills of the Sarawak state in Borneo.

Observations. – This species is morphologically very close to B. alticola , both of which grow in the Bau limestones in the north of Kuching ( Sarawak, Borneo). Benstonea thomissopylla differs, however, from B. alticola by its spicate infrutescence (3 vs 1 in B. alticola ) and larger leaves (c. 2.5 300 cm vs 1.5 140 cm) ( Fig. 5D ). Further collections are needed to determine if these very closely related entities are conspecific.

Figures

Fig. 5. – Infructescences and details of stigmas of species of Benstonea Callm. & Buerki. A. Benstonea parva (Ridl.) Callm. & Buerki; B. Benstonea pectinata (Martelli) Callm. & Buerki; C. Benstonea rupestris (. C. Stone) Callm. & Buerki; D. Benstonea thomissophylla (. C. Stone) Callm. & Buerki. [Photos: M. W. Callmander]