Benstonea parva (Ridl.) 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 : 337

31. Benstonea parva (Ridl.) Callm. & Buerki , comb.nova.

≡ Pandanus parvus Ridl. in J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 33: 171. 1900.

Typus: SINGAPORE. PulauUbin: Kranji, 1892, Ridley 8928 (lecto-: SING [ SING0059862 ]!) (designated by ST. JOHN, 1963: 337).

Distribution and ecology. – Benstonea parva grows in lowland to montane rainforests (from sea level to 1500 m) and is distributed from Peninsular Malaysia through Singapore to Borneo (Sabah).

Observations. – This small terrestrial herbaceous species is characterized by its short monocaulous habit (up to 60 cm high), its broad but small leaves that are abruptly caudateacuminate in the distal part, glaucous on the abaxial surface, and its rather small globose terminal syncarp ( Fig. 5A ). It remains difficult to differentiate B.parva from B.unguiculata (Ridl.) Callm. & Buerki (with slightly narrower leaves and larger fruit), and further collections are needed to confirm whether they are distinct.

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]