Scaphochlamys multifolia 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 : 262-265

17. Scaphochlamys multifolia Ooi, K. Meekiong & S.Y. Wong , sp. nov. Type:—MALAYSIAN BORNEO. Sarawak:

Kuching Division, Bau, Gunung Moi, 01°31’52.7”N, 110°07’42.5”E, 118 m, 30 March 2014, I.H. Ooi & T. Jepom

OIH111 (holo SAR), Figure 17

Diagnosis:— Scaphochlamys multifolia is readily distinguishable from S. petiolata by having polyphyllous elements, tightly congested terminal inflorescences within persistent leafless sheaths and lamina often with a yellowish green midrib.

Terrestrial, perennial, rhizomatous herbs, to c. 40 cm tall. Rhizome slightly below ground, c. 5 mm in diameter, externally brownish light green, internally brownish white. Elements c. 5–20 mm apart, polyphyllous, up to 8-foliate, juvenile up to 8-foliate; petiole 12–24 cm long, canaliculate, light to medium green, glabrous, base slightly pulvinate, white to light green; leafless sheath 0–3, 0.5–3.5 cm long, medium green, sparsely pubescent, drying with age; leaf sheath c. 1 cm long, membranous, white, glabrous, drying and shredding with age; ligule obscure; lamina 12–15 × 5.5– 9.5 cm, ovate to lanceolate, chartaceous, margin slightly undulate, base rounded, apex acute to obtuse; adaxial surface semi-glossy, light green to medium green, glabrous, midrib sunken, often yellowish green, glabrous, main lateral veins slightly raised; abaxial surface light green, sparsely pubescent, midrib raised, yellowish green, sparsely pubescent, main lateral veins inconspicuous. Inflorescence c. 6–12.5 cm long, terminal within leafless sheaths, tightly congested, comprised of c. 5, 2–3-flowered cincinni borne on a peduncle; peduncle c. 2–3.5 cm long, greenish white, glabrous, covered with persistent leafless sheaths; bract c. 5, c. 16 × 5 mm, spirally arranged, lanceolate, membranous, light to medium green, sparsely pubescent, apex acuminate, each bract subtending 2–3 flowers; bracteole 2–3, c. 14 mm long, shorter than bracts but barely distinguishable from bract, light green; flower 3–3.5 cm long, without noticeable floral odour; calyx 9–11 mm long, white, sparsely pubescent, apex tridentate; floral tube 23–27 mm long, sparsely pubescent, white; corolla lobes 9–11 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous, yellowish white, apex acute, hooded; staminodes 6–7 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 × 2 mm, covered with glandular hairs, white; filament c. 0.5 mm long; anther thecae c. 3 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, brownish white. Fruit c. 12 × 5 mm, dehiscent capsule, elongated ovoid, sparsely pubescent, whitish green (greenish white translucent cuticle-like pericarp enclosing green seed), subtended by persistent bracts. Seeds c. 2, c. 10 × 2 mm, elongated ovoid, glabrous, green; aril c. 4 mm, lacerate, brownish white; perisperm white.

Etymology:—The specific epithet, multifolia , refers to the polyphyllous element of the adult plant.

Distribution and ecology: — Scaphochlamys multifolia is only known from the type locality where it gown on podzolic black soil over sandstone in kerangas (tropical heath) forest, c. 120 m.

Conservation status:—Near Threatened (NT). This species is common on the mountain but it is not within a protected area (subjected to conversion of land usage).

Discussion:—The leaf lamina of S. multifolia is reminiscent of that of S. petiolata , but is retained in polyphyllous elements in adult plants. Inflorescences of S. multifolia are terminal within sheaths, not emerging from near leaf base like most of the other Scaphochlamys species. Scaphochlamys anomala is the only other species of Bornean Scaphochlamys reported to have terminal inflorescences within sheaths but it belongs to the Anomala Group.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Scaphochlamys multifolia. A. plant in habitat, side view. B. plant in habitat, top view. C. lamina, adaxial surface. D. lamina, abaxial surface. E. flower, side view. F. infructescence, artificially revealed fruit. G. young infructescence. H. flower, front view. I. stamen, note very short anther spurs. J. bract and bracteoles.All from OIH111.