A New Variety of Capparis (Capparaceae) from Northern Peninsular Malaysia

Avelinah JULIUS; Dome NIKONG; Jamilah MOHD SALIM

doi:10.51200/jtbc.v22i.6369

Authors

Avelinah JULIUS Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1991-1915
Dome NIKONG DigitalDome Photography, 21500 Permaisuri, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Jamilah MOHD SALIM Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Mengabang Telipot, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7170-4935

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/jtbc.v22i.6369

Keywords:

BRIS soil, conservation status, Capparis sect. Monostichocalyx, Setiu, Terengganu

Abstract

Here we describe and illustrate Capparis scortechinii var. setiuensis, a new variety of Capparaceae, which is endemic to Terengganu, from the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. This taxon is placed within the section Monosticocalyxcharacterised by its persistent leaves, free and dimorphic sepals in bud, with the outer pair notably larger and enclosing the inner sepals. It resembles C. scortechinii var. scortechinii in the inflorescence characteristics, where each flower is subtended by a prominent leaf-like bract and arranged in a dense racemose formation along the rachis, which is densely covered with rusty-brown hairs. However, this variety is easily recognised by its pinkish to greenish leaf-like bract with brown venation, which is glabrous and caducous soon after. Additionally, this variety can be distinguished by its completely glabrous filaments and gynophores, in contrast to var. scortechinii, which has these parts that are densely hairy at their base. An updated identification key for Peninsular Malaysian species of Capparis, along with the provisional conservation status of this taxon, is also presented.

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