Benstonea pachyphylla (Merr.) Callm. & Buerki, 1978

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 : 337

30. Benstonea pachyphylla (Merr.) Callm. & Buerki , comb. nova.

≡ Pandanus pachyphyllus Merr. in J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 85: 154. 1922.

Lectotypus (designated here): MALAYSIA. Sabah (Borneo): Sandakan and vincity , IX-X.1920, fr., Ramos 1541 ( US [ US00086615 ] image seen ; isolecto-: K [ K00078 1368 , K000781386 ]!, P [ P02138353 ]!) .

Distribution and ecology. – Benstonea pachyphylla is endemic to the lowland rainforests of Borneo (Kalimatan, Sabah and Sarawak).

Observations. – This species is very characteristic, with its acaulescent habit and syncarp borne in the middle of a large clump of leaves growing directly from the ground ( Fig. 4D ). Its leaves are similar to those of the poorly known B.celebica , the latter only known by its leaves and a picture of the fruit (see above). These may represent a single species that occurs in both Sulawesi and Borneo.

Figures

Fig. 4. – Infructescences and details of stigmas of species of Benstonea Callm. & Buerki. A. Benstonea affinis (Kurz) Callm. & Buerki; B. Benstonea gibbsiana (Martelli) Callm. & Buerki; C. Benstonea ornata (Solms) Callm. & Buerki; D. Benstonea pachyphylla (Merr.) Callm. & Buerki. [Photos: M. W. Callmander]