Sonerilacardamomensis (Melastomataceae), a new species from Cambodia.

Jae-Seo Shin,Kyong-Eun Lee,Hyosig Won,Seong-Hyun Cho,Bo-Kyeong Song,Chhang Phourin

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.156.55866

Abstract

Sonerilacardamomensis, a new species of family Melastomataceae from the Central Cardamom Protected Area in Koh Kong province of southwestern Cambodia, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to S.violifolia Hook.f. ex Triana, but is readily distinguished by its cordate leaf base, lack of setae at the nodes, longer pedicels, smaller petals, smaller hypanthiums and smaller capsules.

Highlights

Melastomataceae Juss. consists of approximately 166 genera and 4,200–4,500 species which are distributed in both the New World (about 2,950 species) and the Old World (1,275–1,550 species) (Renner 1993, Michelangeli et al 2013)
During the recent floristic survey, one species of Sonerila was collected at Thmor Bang District of the Central Cardamom Protected Area in Koh Kong province of southwestern Cambodia that does not appear to be similar to previously described species (Fig. 1, 2)
Sonerila cardamomensis is most similar to S. violifolia Hook.f. ex Triana, which is distributed in Myanmar and Thailand but is readily distinguished from the latter by the cordate leaf base, lack of setae at the nodes, longer pedicels, smaller petals, smaller hypanthia and smaller capsules (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Melastomataceae Juss. consists of approximately 166 genera and 4,200–4,500 species which are distributed in both the New World (about 2,950 species) and the Old World (1,275–1,550 species) (Renner 1993, Michelangeli et al 2013). During the recent floristic survey, one species of Sonerila was collected at Thmor Bang District of the Central Cardamom Protected Area in Koh Kong province of southwestern Cambodia that does not appear to be similar to previously described species (Fig. 1, 2). It is the most similar to Sonerila violifolia Hook.f. ex Triana, but detailed examination of the morphology revealed that it differs from S. violifolia. Koh Kong Province, Central Cardamom Protected Area, sandstone rocky area in evergreen forest, 11°42'08.0"N, 103°26'22.5"E, a.s.l. 427 m, 9 August 2018, with flowers, Cho S.H., Shin J.S., Song B.K., Chhang Phourin CB-4467 (holotype KB!, isotypes KB!, K!, P!).

Results

Conclusion