ORCHIDANTHA SARAWAKENSIS SP. NOV. (ZINGIBERALES: LOWIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES ENDEMIC TO EAST MALAYSIA, BORNEO

Abstract

Lowiaceae is one of the eight families in Zingiberales and comprises a single genus, Orchidantha. This genus is restricted to South-East Asia and poorly known among Zingiberales. Currently, there are 25 species including a new species from Sarikei, Sarawak, O. sarawakensis Syauqina & Meekiong which is described and illustrated in this paper. Orchidantha sarawakensis is compared with species described in South-East Asia and also species described in Borneo. The comparison shows that O. sarawakensis is closely related to O. megalantha Škorničk. & AD Poulsen and O. holttumii K Larsen. The features that delineate O. sarawakensis as a new species is that its labellum possesses a prominent extended midrib throughout the apex with spirallike structure, curved upwards and a Y-shaped secretion tissue called viscidium. A key of Orchidantha to all Malaysian species is presented.