A revision of the genus Sindora (Fabaceae, Detarioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

Sindora Miq. is a genus of large legume trees found mainly in tropical and subtropical forests from southern China, continental Southeast Asia, and West and Central Malesia. A revision of Sindora in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore is presented with updated descriptions and distributions. The data are derived from a comprehensive study of herbarium specimens from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, together with field observations of individuals growing in natural populations in Singapore. Five species are recorded from Peninsular Malaysia. Four species are recorded from Singapore, all of which also occur in Peninsular Malaysia. Sindora velutina Baker, only recently recorded for Singapore but at the same time noted to be presumed nationally extinct, is reported here as rediscovered. Lectotypes of Sindora siamensis Teijsm. ex Miq. and Sindora velutina are designated here. A second step lectotype is designated for Sindora wallichii Benth. New global-level conservation assessments are proposed for Sindora echinocalyx Prain, Sindora siamensis and Sindora wallichii Benth., while provisional national-level conservation assessments for each species are also reported. Four species of Sindora in Peninsular Malaysia are reported as Least Concern both globally and within Peninsular Malaysia; Sindora siamensis is reported as Least Concern globally but is presumed Nationally Extinct in Peninsular Malaysia. In Singapore all four species of Sindora are reported as Critically Endangered.