Scaphochlamys samunsamensis Meekiong & Hidir (2015: 34)

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 : 276

24. Scaphochlamys samunsamensis Meekiong & Hidir (2015: 34) . Type:—MALYASIAN BORNEO. Sarawak: Kuching Division, Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, 12 November 2014, K. Meekiong, Tasha & M. Hidir MK2364 (holo SAR!, iso HUMS!)

Terrestrial, perennial, rhizomatous herbs, to c. 35 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, c. 2 mm in diameter, greenish yellow to light brown. Elements indistinct, 3- to 4-foliates, juvenile not seen; petiole 4.6–10.3 cm long, 2–3 mm diameter, slender, canaliculate, glabrous; leaf sheath 3–5.6 × 1.6–2 mm, boat-shaped, reddish light brown, papery when dried, apex acute; lamina 8–15 × 3.2–6.3 cm, slightly asymmetric, lanceolate, margin slightly wavy, base attenuate, apex acute, adaxial surface light green to green yellow, abaxial surface pale green, sometimes greenish with very light reddish, dull appearance. Inflorescence exerting from leaf base, 9–12 cm long, flowering in succession, a flower at a time; peduncle 6–10 cm long, c. 3–4 mm diameter, cylinder, yellowish green, paler toward base; bracts 3–5, 2.6–3.4 × 1.2–2 cm, stiff, boat-shaped, pale green yellow and very light red at the base, apex acute, each subtending a flower; flower purplish white, white when young; floral tube 18–30 cm long, tubular, white; dorsal corolla lobe 6–8 × 6 mm, white, translucent; lateral corolla lobes 2, 4.5–8 × 6 mm, white with purple band at the base, tiny pubescent along the margin; labellum 10–15× 10–12 mm, fan-shaped, white with purple streaks along the pale yellow median band, apex bilobed; anther obovate, crest c. 10 mm, apex curved backwards, white with tinged purple at margin; ovary glabrous. Fruit and seeds not seen.

Distribution and ecology: — Known only from Samunsam Widllife Sanctuary and Gunung Pueh, occurring in kerangas forest, sandy soil with thick humus at low elevations.

Conservation status:—Near Threatened (NT). This species is quite common within the protected area but it is only known from the type locality and its vicinity.

Discussion:—This species is closely similar to and possibly conspecific with S. polyphylla .