European Journal of Taxonomy 56: 1-9

http://dx.doi.org/lQ.5852/ejt.2013.56

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2013 • Mark Hughes

Research article

Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes (Melastomataceae),

a new species of tree from Peninsular Malaysia

Mark HUGHES

Royal Botanie Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row,

Edinburgh EH3 5ER, United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]

Abstract. A new speeies, Memecylon pseudomegacarpum (Melastomataeeae), is deseribed from

southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. This taxon was previously known

under the misapplied name M. megacarpum, whieh is now eonsidered endemie to Borneo. Memecylon

pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. differs from M. megacarpum in having smaller leaves (8-)10.5-17(-22.5)

em rather than (10-)17-28(-35) em long, with an elliptie lamina (not laneeolate) with a raised mid-rib

(not sunken) and a marginal vein whieh is 2-A mm from the margin (not 5-12 mm ). Both speeies have

similar flowers and share large (c. 15 mm diameter) globose fruits.

Keywords. Memecylon, new speeies, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand.

Hughes M. 2013. Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes (Melastomataceae), a new species of tree from

Peninsular Malaysia. European Journal of Taxonomy 56: 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2013.56

Introduction

Memecylon E. currently contains 320 species (Renner et al. 2007) of small trees and shrubs found in the

tropical forests of the Old World, with 33 species currently accepted from Peninsular Malaysia (Maxwell

1980; Wijedasa & Hughes 2012). During a revision of Memecylaceae (currently included within

Melastomataceae (Angiosperm Phytogeny Group 2009)) for the new Flora of Peninsular Malaysia,

the author has come across some taxa in need of description, and some names in need of synonymy or

clariflcation (Wijedasa & Hughes 2012). Such a case is presented by the name Memecylon megacarpum

coined by Furtado (1963) as a nomen novum for the later homonym M. pulchrum Cogn., the type of which

is from Sarawak. Memecylon megacarpum was first applied to specimens from Peninsular Malaysia by

Maxwell (1980). Material of this taxon had previously been misidentifled under M. heteropleurum Blume

(King 1900) which is now considered a synonym of M. excelsum Blume. Maxwell (1980) highlighted

the distinctness of the taxon from M. excelsum, but also noted that the application of M. megacarpum

was not certain as he had not seen the types of this name. Bremer (1983) examined the types during his

revision of Bornean Memecylon, and observed that the ‘Malaya collections are not entirely similar to

those from Borneo’. This prompted an investigation of all relevant herbarium material of Memecylon

from Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, in order to review the application of the name M. megacarpum

across the region, and decide whether a new taxon needed to be raised.

European Journal of Taxonomy 56 : 1-9 ( 2013 )

Fig. 1. Image of a syntype of Memecylon megacarpum Furtado [Beccari 1833 (FI)].

HUGHES M., ^Qw Memecylon species from Peninsular Malaysia

Table 1. Summary of diagnostic characters for M. pseudomegacarpum and similar species.

Lamina shape

Lamina

length

Mid-rib

Marginal

vein, mm

from margin

Fruit

shape

Inflorescence

M. acuminatissimum

ovate-

lanceolate

10-27

raised

1-3

ellipsoid

lax

M. excelsum

elliptic-

lanceolate

13-28

sunken

3-8

ellipsoid

condensed

M. megacarpum

lanceolate

17-28

sunken

5-12

globose

condensed

M. pseudomegacarpum

elliptic

10.5-17

raised

2-A

globose

condensed

Materials and Methods

Herbarium specimens of M. megacarpum and other large-leaved species with conspicuous venation

which are potentially confiisable (M acuminatissimum Blume, M. excelsum) were examined from

throughout their range in Southeast Asia, from BM, E, FI, K, E, KEP, PSU and SING herbaria. Type

material for all three names was also seen (M. acuminatissimum, Korthals s.n., K[2], E; M. excelsum,

Blume s.n., E; M. megacarpum, Beccari 1833, FI, K (Fig. I).

Results

The herbarium material previously identified as M. megacarpum could be sorted into two morphologically

distinct groups based on leaf characters, corresponding with a distribution either in the Malay Peninsula

or Borneo. The material from the Malay Peninsula does not match the types of the any of the other

taxa studied, leading the author to the conclusion that it represents a new taxon. The species rank was

chosen as there are four leaf characters (size, shape, mid-rib, marginal vein) which distinguish it from

the otherwise fiorally similar M. megacarpum. A comparison of shared and differential characters for all

four species is given in Table 1.

Class Equisetopsida C.Agardh (Agardh et al. 1825)

Subclass Magnoliidae Novak ex Takht. (Takhtajan 1967)

Superorder Rosanae Takht. (Takhtajan 1967)

Order Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl (Berchtold & Presl 1820)

Family Melastomataceae Juss. (Jussieu 1789)

GQxms Memecylonl.. (Einnaeus 1753)

Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes, sp. nov.

um:lsid:ipni.org:names:77131845-1

Table 1, Figs 2, 3

Memecylon heteropleurum auct. non Blume: King, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 69 part II,

N« I: 78(1900).

Memecylon megacarpum auct. non Furtado: Maxwell, Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 33: 91 (1980), Tree

Flora of Malaya 193 (1989).

Diagnosis

The new species, M. pseudomegacarpum, differs from M. megacarpum in having smaller leaves (8-)

10.5-17(-22.5) cm rather than (10-)17-28(-35) cm long, with an elliptic lamina (not lanceolate) with

European Journal of Taxonomy 56 : 1-9 ( 2013 )

HERB. HORT. EDINB.

Ma L or ^nx.tA

Det. Hh <^12_

Flora of Peninsular Malaysia

Fiiniity: Molastomataccac

Name: Memycylon

Del l)_v :

Collector: Wilkie. P.. Ong, P,T., Imin. K. & Nazre

[.ocality: Malaysia: Peninsular Malaysia Kelantan

Gunung Chamah

About 200m on logging road above Camp Tennah

5° 10'48" N 1 or 33'35" E

Alt.: 1240 m

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN

EDINBURGH

Additional rmiteri:il; DNA

EOOS00010

No: FRI72079

Date: 4 August 2010

Notes: Tree to 15m tall, 20cm dbh Flowers flesh

pink-white, corolla lobes recurved, anthers oumi '

Fruit green, inferior ovary, calyx persistent Press d

Fig. 2. Image of an isotype of Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. [Wilkie et al. FRI172079 (E)].

HUGHES M., ^Qw Memecylon species from Peninsular Malaysia

a raised mid-rib (not sunken) and a marginal vein which is 2-A mm from the margin (not 5-12 mm); in

floral and fruit characters the species are similar.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek pseudo-, meaning resembling but not equalling, and the epithet of the species

Memecylon megacarpum (Latin; the large-finited Memecylon).

Type

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: Kelantan, Gunung Chamah, about 200 m on logging road above Camp

Tengah, 5°10’48”N, 101°33’35”E, alt. 1240 m, 4 Aug. 2010, Wilkie, R, Ong P.T., Imin, K. & Nazre

FRI72079 (holo-: KEP, iso-: E) (Fig. 2).

Other specimens examined

THAILAND: Trang: Yan Ta Khao, Sai Rung Falls, 25 Apr. 1987, Maxwell 87-421 (AAU, PSU). Yala:

Bannang Sata, Than To Waterfall, 9 Dec. 1972, Santisuk 350 (C, K).

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: Kedah: 33-^^^ mile Jeniang road, 21 Oct. 1938, Kiah SFN35959 (KEP,

SING); Bongsu F.R, 29 Apr. 1970, Everett FRI14169 (KEP, SING); Bukit Enggang Reserve, 13 Jun.

1966, Whitmore FR10405 (KEP, SING); Gunong Bintang, Bukit Blakang Parang, 15 Apr. 1928, Haniff

SFN21048 (SING); Khao Mai Forest Reserve, 3 Apr. 1938, Kiah SFN35153 (KEP, SING). Penang:

West Hill, Apr. 1886, Curtis 814 (SING). Perak: May 1889, Wray, J.L. 3425 (SING); Gunong Bubu, 18

Aug. 1966, Ding DH662{WEVy, ibid.,29VQh. 1910, Suppiah FRI11746 (KEP, SING);Larut, Sep. 1884,

King’s collector 6621 (P, SING [2]); ibid.. May 1884, King’s collector 6075 (E); ibid.,A^x. 1883, King’s

collector 5090 (E); Slim Hills F.R, 8 Sep. 1966, Whitmore FR10817 (KEP, SING); Sungai Ryah, Nov.

1880, King’s collector 1110 (SING); Taipeng, Waterfall Hill, 1904-1914, Burn-Murdoch 162 (SING);

Ulu Kerling, 1886, King’s collector 8589 (P, SING); ibid.. Mar. 1886, King’s collector 8689 (SING).

Kelantan: Gunong Stong, 13 Aug. 1969, Whitmore FRI12415 (KEP, SING); Ulu Sungai Lebir Kechil,

17 Sep. 1967, Cockburn, P.F FR17115 (KEP, SING). Terengganu: Bukit Lanjut F.R., 18 Sep. 1969,

Loh FR113459 (KEP, SING); Gunong Tebu, I Jun. 1974, Shah & Shukor MS3303 (KEP); Jungle path

to Gunong Tebu, 1 Jun. 1974, Shah et al. MS3303 (SING); Ulu Telemong F.R., 16 Sep. 1969, Loh

FR113445 (KEP, SING). Pahang: Bt. Beserah F.R., 15 May 1967, Whitmore FR13751 (KEP); Batu

Balain, 23 Nov. 1924, BurkiU. & Haniff SFN15829 (SING); Beserah, 4 Dec. 1924, Burkill & Haniff

SFN16135 (SING); Bt. Beserah F.R., 15 May 1967, Whitmore FR13751 (SING); Cameron Highlands,

Robinson Falls, 23 Feb. 1947, Henderson s.n. (SING); Frasers Hill, 16-20 Sep. 1922, Burkill & Holttum

7869 (SING); ibid, 9 Mar. 1995, Chin et al 4514 (KEP, SING [2]); Gua Peningat, 14 Jul. 1970, Loh

FPL17225 (KEP); Kadouchong, Pulau Tawar, Aug. 1891, Ridley 2242 (SING); Krau Wildlife Reserve,

13 Oct. 1999, Christensen 2356 (KEP); Krau, Kuala Lumpat, 19 Apr. 1970, Soepadmo 759 (SING);

ibid, 19 Apr. 1970, Soepadmo ES759 (KEP); Lesong Forest Reserve, 27 Apr. 1971, Suppiah FR114891

(KEP, SING); Merapoh F.R., 16 May 1980, Kamarudin FR128738 (KEP); Raub, 22 Mar. 1971, Sohadi

FRl14661 (KEP, SING); ibid, 19 Nov. 1929, Strugnell FMS20464 (SING); Raub, Tersang F.R., 29

Dec. 1930, Ali FMS23365 (SING); Rompin, Gunong Lesong, 25 Nov. 1973, Shah & Shukor MS3112

(C, SING); Sg. Henderik, 13 Oct. 1931, Osman 28309 (KEP); ibid, 13 Oct. 1931, Osman FR128305

(KEP); Sungai Teku, 29 Jul. 1936, Kadim s.n. (SING); Sungei Lemoi, 15 Sep. 1931, Jaamat FMS28188

(SING); Taman Negara, South side of Sg. Riul, 14 Jul. 1970, Everett FRl14458 (KEP, SING); Temerloh,

Kemasul F.R., I Sep. 1966, Ismail FR198912 (SING); ibid, I Sep. 1966, Ismail KEP98912 (KEP); Ulu

Sungai Sat, 9 Jul. 1970, Shah & NoorMS1743 (KEP, SING); ibid, 12 Jul. 1970, Shah & NoorMS1843

(C, KEP [2], SING); Ulu Sungai Wi, 13 Aug. 1934, Jaamat 33746 (KEP). Selangor: Bukit Laggong, 6

Mar. 1969, Suppiah KEP108881 (KEP); Bukit Lagong F.R, 6 Apr. 1960, Kochummen FIU79112 (KEP,

SING); ibid, 20 May 1947, Smith 52283 (KEP); Gading F.R., 19 Jul. 1969, Chan FR111239 (KEP,

SING); ibid., 22 Jul. 1969, Chan FRL13190 (KEP); Ginting Highlands Road, 30 May 1973, Kochummen

European Journal of Taxonomy 56 : 1-9 ( 2013 )

FRI16730 (KEP, SING); Kuala Lumpur, 1890, Mat 2053 (SING); Near Ginting Highlands College, 9

May 1972, Kochummen FR116520 (KEP, SING); Semangko F.R., Aug.-Sep. 1968, Ando et al. AKK36

(KEP); ibid, Aug.-Sep. 1968, Ando et al. AKK22 (KEP); ibid, 5 Feb. 1972, Suppiah FR119244 (KEP);

Telok Forest Reserve, 9 Dee. 1970, Kochummen FR116260a (KEP); Ulu Gombak F.R, 24 May 1967,

Kochummen FR12353 (KEP [2], SING); ibid, 28 Feb. 1968, T. & P. 2643 (SING); ibid, 20 Apr. 1961,

Yong FR199002 (KEP, SING); Weld Hill Forest Reserve, 10 Apr. 1917, Hamid 965 (SING); ibid, 28

May 1925, Jaamal FRI10266 (SING). Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Tangga, Dee. 1920, Ridley s.n. (SING);

Bukit Tanggah, 4 Dee. 1969, Everett FRl13781 (KEP, SING); Gunong Angsi, 25 Nov. 1923, Nur 11699

(SING); Gunong Angsi F.R., 18 Feb. 1971, Sohadi FRI14612 (KEP, SING); Pasoh Forest Reserve,

16 Mar. 1988, Lafrankie 2891 (KEP); ibid., Jun. 1987, Lafrankie 2308 (KEP); ibid, 21 Get. 1981,

Rogstad593 (KEP); ibid., 6 Nov. 1978, Suppiah FR128164 (KEP, SING). Malacca: Sungei Udang, Jun.

1890, Derry 582 (SING). Johor: Gunong Ma’okil Muar, 21 Apr. 1974, Samsuri & Shukor SA957 (C,

KEP, SING); Gunong Panti base, 28 May 1939, Corner SFN36290 (KEP, SING); Gunong Pulai Forest

Reserve, 23 Sep. 1970, Chan FRI17539 (KEP, SING); Mawai-Jemaluang road, 20 Jan. 1935, Corner

SFN 28683 (SING); ibid, 9 Feb. 1935, Corner SFN29016 (SING); NW Johore, Gunong Ledang, 21

Feb. 1989, Khairuddin FR132814 (KEP); Sedenak, Aug. 1908, Ridley 13507 (SING).

SINGAPORE: Bukit Mandai, 1892, Ridley 3614a (SING); Bukit TimahN. R., 10 Get. 1938, Henderson

Tree211 (SING); ibid, 1892, Ridley 9210 (SING); ibid, 17 Mar. 1951, Sinclair 6805 (E); Bukit Timah

N. R., North View Path, 26 May 1970, Noor MN1203 (SING); Bukit Timah N. R., Quarry Road, 7

Nov. 1995, Tang & Sidak 1033 (SING); Chan Chu Kang, 1893, Goodenough 5092 (SING); ibid., 1894,

Ridley 6215 (SING); Changi, Feb. 1894, Ridley 5928 (SING); Gardens Jungle, 8 Apr. 1983, Kiah SK647

(SING); ibid, 22 Mar. 1977, Samsuri SA1474 (C, SING).

Description

Shrub or more usually a small to medium-sized tree, to 15 m high; bole to 15 em diameter. Bark very

thin, dark grey to brown, finely fissured. Branehlets brown, 2 grooved or slightly fiattened on 2 sides,

beeoming terete when mature, intemodes 3.5-11 em long, demarked by a thin interpetiolar line. Leaves

opposite, simple, glabrous; petiole \-A mm long, 2 mm wide; lamina stiff, glossy green above, drying

dark brown and slightly paler reddish brown beneath, usually elliptie, sometimes elliptie-laneeolate, (8-)

10.5-17(-22.5) X (4-)5-7(-9) em; base obtuse or aeute, usually c. 90°; margin entire; apex aeuminate

to shortly aeuminate, aeumen up to 15 mm long; mid-rib raised above, sometimes fiattish, prominent

below; venation pinnate, lateral veins visible and slightly sunken above, 14-16 pairs, prominent below

and appearing quite straight and regularly spaeed; marginal vein distinet, looping between the lateral

veins, 2-A mm from margin. Infioreseenees axillary, either on older leafiess branehes or amongst the

leaves, glomerulate with 5-15 fiowers, total length e. 1 em, glabrous; primary peduneles very short, 1-2

mm long, often arising from woody tubereles. Flowers bisexual; pedieels stout, c. 2 mm, 2 eonspieuous

triangular braeteoles sometimes present; ovary inferior, indistinet from the ealyx; ealyx initially sub-

globose, very pale pink, 3^ mm diameter, quite fieshy, beeoming funnel-shaped and truneate at maturity

with 4 short slits, minutely papillose; petals 8, very pale pink, triangular, c. 4 mm long, refiexed; anthers

8, with an elongated C-shaped blue eonneetive, with a large and distinet eentrally plaeed gland; style

filiform, eadueous, stigma minute. Fruits uniloeular berries; stalk 2-3 mm long; berry large for the

genus, globose, often very slightly fiattened at the poles, 13-17 x 15-18 mm, slightly rough in texture;

ealyx remnant raised, 3-A mm wide.

Distribution

Southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (Fig. 3).

Conservation status

Least Coneem. The speeies is widespread in Peninsular Malaysia and oeeurs in several proteeted areas.

HUGHES M., ^Qw Memecylon species from Peninsular Malaysia

Ecology

Common in primary or disturbed lowland mixed dipterocarp forest often on flat and poorly drained

areas on riverbanks and valley bottoms, but also found on hillsides and ridges, from low altitudes to

occasionally c. 1400 m in hill mixed dipterocarp forest or in peat swamp forest or on limestone hills.

Discussion

Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. and M. megacarpum can be separated at a glance with a little

experience. Memecylon megacarpum is much more easily confused with M. excelsum Blume when

sterile as both have a sunken mid-rib, the latter being otherwise easily distinguishable by its smaller,

ellipsoid fruits. The raised mid-rib is diagnostic for M. pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. and in Peninsular

Malaysia is found in only one other species, M. acuminatissimum Blume, which differs in having ovate-

lanceolate leaves, longer (5-8 cm) cymose inflorescences, and smaller, ellipsoid fruit (6-8 mm diameter).

Currently M. pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. is known only Ifom southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular

Malaysia and Singapore. Although no specimens are known Ifom Indonesia, it seems plausible that the

Fig. 3. The distribution of Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov.

European Journal of Taxonomy 56 : 1-9 ( 2013 )

distribution could extend into that eountry via the Riau Islands and possibly eastern Sumatra. Images of

eited speeimens are available from Hughes & Wijedasa (2012).

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank the eurators of BM, E, FI, K, L, KEP, PSU and SING for aeeess to speeimens,

and Thomas Janssen and an anonymous reviewer for helpful co mm ents on the manuseript. This researeh

was earried out at the Royal Botanie Garden Edinburgh, supported by the Seottish Government’s Rural

and Environment Seienee and Analytieal Serviees Division.

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