Conservation Malaysia (Issue No.33), 2021

Conservation Malaysia
A Bulletin Supporting Plant and Animal Conservation in Malaysia
ISBN
Issue No 33 (2021) 1823-7975

BOTANICAL DISCOVERIES

OF GUNUNG SARUT, TERENGGANU

Syahida-Emiza S ([email protected]), Sam YY, Aliaa-Athirah AM, Imin K, Siti-Munirah MY,
Ahmad Firdaus Z, Nor-Ezzawanis AT, Wan Syafiq WP & Angan A.

Introduction

Gunung Sarut is a mountain located in Hulu Nerus Forest
Reserve (5.33° N, 102.72° E), in the Setiu District of Terengganu,
Malaysia. Rising 1,229 m above sea level (asl), Gunung Sarut is
the highest mountain in the district.

The mountain is part of the Terengganu Hills which run along the interior
of Terengganu, sandwiched between the Tahan Range on its west and the
coastline to its east. The forest in this mountain range harbours extraordinarily
rich flora and high endemism, so much so that the region is recognised as one
of the plant diversity centres (Davis et al, 1995) and an evolutionary hotspot
(Tan et al, 2020). Yet, many areas remain poorly known or unexplored such as
Gunung Sarut. Our expeditions in year 2019 and 2020 were the first systematic
botanical surveys to document the flora of Gunung Sarut.

The track begins at Lata Payung amenity forest, a recreation area famous for its
beautiful sparkling green river. The most popular site is the Blue Pool because
of its beautiful emerald green water that mystically turns blue after a heavy
downpour. Hiking is popular here and the hike to the summit takes 5–6 hours.
Many hikers however, prefer to spend a two days’ visit to enjoy its natural beauty.

Numerous noteworthy species were collected during the surveys that
spanned habitats from the foothills to the summit. Of the 349 taxa (217
genera and 112 families) obtained, the most speciose family were Rubiaceae
(61 species), Dipterocarpaceae (33 species) and Orchidaceae (29 species).
At least three species were identified as new records for the state and six are
likely new species, awaiting further study.

The upper hill forest is mainly covered with shrubs and small crooked trees.
1

Pristine and emerald green water at Blue Pool. On shady slopes and rocky areas in the valley, where
conditions are ideal for many shade-tolerant herbaceous
Forest types and vegetation plants, Argostemma elatostemma (Rubiaceae), Begonia
sinuata (Begoniaceae), Camptandra parvula (Zingiberaceae),
Gunung Sarut comprises lowland, hill, and upper hill Sauvagesia serrata (Ochnaceae) and Sundamomum
dipterocarp forests and lower montane forest. At 250 m asl, hastilabium (Zingiberaceae, a new record for Terengganu)
the landscape is undulating and consists of large boulders were encountered. On the ground, mycoheterotrophic
that can be seen along the trail to the Blue Pool. The species such as Burmannia spp., Thismia spp., Gymnosiphon
lowland and upper hill dipterocarp forests are dominated sp. and Didymoplexis pallens grow amongst the leaf litter
by emergent trees with large buttresses, mainly members and could be easily missed as the sizes are small. In stream
of the family Dipterocarpaceae such as Anisoptera curtisii, vicinities, ferns and lycophytes that flourish included
Dipterocarpus crinitus, Hopea nervosa and Shorea Cephalomanes javanicum, Dipteris lobbiana, Pronephrium
macroptera. Several lowland non-dipterocarp tree species rubicundum, Sellaginella cuprea, S. intermedia and
included Agathis borneensis (Araucariaceae), Calophyllum Tapeinidium pinnatum. Also found was Globba tembatensis,
soulattri (Guttiferae), Canarium patentinervium a Terengganu endemic, which has the affinity for steep
(Burseraceae), Monocarpia marginalis and Goniothalamus slopes and damp forest floor. The plants are scattered
macrophyllus (Annonaceae). on boulders and hill slopes along rocky streams from the
lowland to hills.
The understorey layer was occupied by treelets, small
bushes and palms. Palmae such as Pinanga malaiana, P. The terrain to the upper hill forest was a rocky and
disticha and Licuala spp. were abundant along the trail. steep slope. Along the ridge, tree species encountered
The magnificent palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons grew were dipterocarps (e.g. Dipterocarpus fagineus and
luxuriantly from the lowland to upper hill forest, up to c. Shorea bracteolata), Gluta malayana (Anacardiaceae),
700 m asl. Treelets and shrubs such as Ardisia spp. and Tabernaemontana polyneura (Apocynaceae) and Schima
Ficus spp. which are important fruit trees to birds and wallichii (Theaceae). Among these, Dipterocarpus
primates were common here. eurynchus was the most prominent as it reached about 40
m in height and 50 cm in diameter. The understorey layer
was dense with small trees such as Gomphandra quadrifida
(Stemonuraceae), Psychotria calocarpa and Lasianthus
attenuatus (Rubiaceae). The pitcher plant, Nepenthes
ampullaria and terrestrial orchid, Bromheadia finlaysoniana
were common on the ridge, while Codonoboea crinita and
Labisia pumila inhabited the slopes. Lindsaea divergens is a
tufted fern that grew along the trail after 600 m asl up to the
lower montane forest. Interestingly, we also discovered old
and new elephant dung on the ridge trail at the upper hill
forest. This was phenomenal as elephants were not known
to roam at such high elevation. According to our local guide
Dome Nikong, the site is an important route for elephants
to enter the Kenyir forest in the south.

View of the Gunung Sarut mountain from Petuang (photo by Dome Nikong).
2

Nepenthes ampullaria N. domei

N. malayensis N. latiffiana N. kuchingensis N. x setiuensis

Gunung Sarut has an amazing diversity of pitcher plants.

Reaching 900 m asl, tall emergent trees were notably on the ridges. At a ridge close to Camp Bonsai, a species
infrequent and trees grew about 10–15 m high. The endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, Chroesthes longifolia
floral composition gradually changed to upper hill forest (Acanthaceae) with notable deep red corolla, was found.
species such as Dacrydium elatum (Podocarpaceae), A terrestrial pandan, Pandanus yvanii and a sedge, Mapania
Leptospermum javanicum (Myrtaceae), Tristaniopsis sp. were found near a small river below the base camp.
merguensis (Myrtaceae), and Syzygium species. Ferns
such as Dipteris conjugata, Matonia pectinata and Taenitis On the path ascending to the summit, trees established
dimorpha were common in clearings and on mountain here had twisted trunks with small to pole sized diameter
ridges, while Cheiropleuria bicuspis occupied shady slope due to the strong wind. The dwarf shrub Baeckea

frutescens (known as Cucur atap) was
common, while the ericaceous species that
we had expected more were rare. Only one
species of Vaccinium was flowering in the
area. Pitcher plants were well-represented, of
which Nepenthes kuchingensis, N. ampullaria,
N. gracilis and three newly described species
namely N. domei, N. latiffiana and N. x
setiuensis were discovered near the summit.
These three new species are hyper-endemic
to Setiu.

Species confined to montane forest such
as Dianella javanica (Xanthorrhoeaceae)
and Gahnia baniensis (Cyperaceae) were
dominant in mildly disturbed and open areas
found at the summit. Pitcher plants, orchids,
gesneriads and ferns were fairly abundant
here. At the peak and its surrounding area,

Hydnophytum formicarum, Chroesthes longifolia is widely Continue to page 6
epiphyte of plants-ant at the distributed from lowland to upper
summit of Gunung Sarut. Close-up: montane forest.
the plant and flower.

3

Unveiling the
Beautiful Gesneriads

of Sarut Forest, Terengganu

Sam Yen Yen ([email protected]) and Aliaa Athirah Adam Malek

Gesneriads are members of the Gesneriaceae, the African
violet family which is well known for many economically
important ornamental plants such as African violets, flame
violets, gloxinias and the lipstick vine.

In Malaysia, the gesneriads is one of the most diverse
herbaceous groups with an estimated 400 species
representing about 10% of the global total. Their flowers
are one of the cheeriest to grace our rainforests. Many
are aesthetically appealing with great potential for the
ornamental plant trade.

At Gunung Sarut, we discovered a great variety of There are many rocky streams with crystal clear water in Sarut
gesneriads thriving in the shady, cool and damp forest forest. Rock faces are a haven to many herbaceous plants such as
understorey. From the foothills to mountain tops, the gesneriads, ferns and even bigger ones like pandans and gingers.
steep terrain, rocky bedrock and many tributaries in the
pristine forest of Sarut provide lots of niches for a diverse
group of gesneriads. It was common to find the plants
growing on crevices of outcropping rocks, steep earth
slopes, vertical stream banks, uphill side of a logging
road and tree roots above soil surface. These substrates
often have litter gaps which are ideal microsites for the
gesneriads’ tiny seeds and seedlings to establish as their
roots are unable to penetrate thick litter.

At the entrance to Lata Payung, the gateway to Gunung Codonoboea leiophylla grows on surfaces free of leaf litter
Sarut, two beautiful gesneriads immediately greeted us such as steep earth slopes. Inset: dainty bell-shaped flower.
as we stepped on the footpath leading to the hanging
bridge across Sungai Payung Anak. Both Codonoboea

Large boulders in valley is the favourite spot for Ridleyandra kiewii subsp. magnifica, Codonoboea rugosa blossoms gregariously to
bearing stunning deep purple flowers. attract pollinators (photo: Siti Munirah MY); the
strongly veined leaf surface with distinct rectangle
4 wrinkle is characteristic of C. rugosa (inset).

Unlike most gesneriads with conspicuous inflorescences and The whole of Loxocarpus incanus var. sekayuensis is covered with
rosette leaves, the flower of Cyrtandra wallichii is hidden at whitish hairs which turn silvery when dry. Its flower is very tiny,
the leaf axil and its leaves are distinctly paired. measuring less than 1 cm in size. (Photo: Syahida Emiza S)

Codonoboea sp. 1 is easily distinguished from Codonoboea sp. 2 is very rare, we found Codonoboea sp. 3 is common in
other gesneriads by its paired leaves, smooth only one plant at the base of a huge the valley in upper hill forest. The
glossy leaf surfaces and pure white flowers. boulder at the summit. leaf surface glitters when hit by
sunlight at a certain angle.

leiophylla and Ridleyandra kiewii subsp. magnifica clung Ridleyandra kiewii subsp. magnifica is confined to the
to the steep cut slopes beside the walking path, growing forest at low elevations. Together with Codonoboea
sympatrically with many ferns such as Blechnopsis rugosa, Cyrtandra wallichii and Loxocarpus incanus var.
finlaysoniana, Cyathea alternans, Cyathea mollucana, sekayuensis, these four are found in stream valleys where
Diplazium crenatoserratum and Selaginella stipulata. they occupy different niches. Codonoboea rugosa and
When not in flower, they could be easily overlooked by Cyrtandra wallichii grow on humus-rich soil above streams
passers-by. or on peat accumulated on the top of big boulders, and
are usually exposed to rather long hours of light shade.
Coincidently, both Codonoboea leiophylla and Ridleyandra Both species are herbaceous with stout woody stems
kiewii subsp. magnifica are endemic to the forest of that can grow to one metre tall. Kiew (2009) observed
northwest Terengganu and the adjacent forest of such plants are slow growing and live for a very long time,
southeast Kelantan. Codonoboea leiophylla spreads from possibly up to 20 years!
the lowland to upper hill forests at about 900 m altitude,
often growing in large numbers in suitable conditions. Its Ridleyandra kiewii subsp. magnifica is a shade-loving plant.
pale violet flowers are prominently raised on long slender It grows on the deep shaded slopes of stream banks or
stalks above the basal clustering leaves. On the contrary, lodges onto the mossy surface of rocks lining the streams.

Continue to page 6

5

Loxocarpus sp. 1 is only found at the summit where From page 5
the plants nearly carpeted the whole boulder.
Its stunning deep purple flowers are held high above the leaves,
visible even from afar.

Loxocarpus incanus var. sekayuensis is another lovely gesneriad
found in the lowlands on granite rocks near streams. The plants
are very small, hardly exceeding 10 cm in height. Their small
seeds often germinate in the crevices, and the plants later
produce extensive roots to firmly secure the plant onto rock face.

As we ascended the upper hill and lower montane forests, we
noticed the lowland gesneriads gradually disappeared and
different species manifested. We encountered five species
during our survey of the forest surrounding Camp Bonsai
and the summit, and they turn out to be new species and
also endemic to Terengganu! The authors are in the midst of
describing and naming these new species.

The flora of Terengganu is highly diverse and unique (Davis et al,
1995; Kiew & Lim, 2019). Recent botanical surveys in Terengganu
have led to the discovery of many new species and markedly
increased our knowledge of the rich flora of Terengganu.
However, many areas remain botanically unexplored, especially
mountains of the interior, which are part of the poorly known
East Coast. More surveys are needed here to document the rich
natural heritage for conservation purposes.

References
Davis SD, Heywood VH & Hamilton AC. 1995. Centres of Plant Diversity. A guide and

strategy for their conservation. Volume 2. Asia, Australasia and the Pacific. WWF
& IUCN, Cambridge. 578 pp.
Kiew R. 2009. The natural history of Malaysian Gesneriaceae. Malayan Nature
Journal 61(3): 257–265.
Kiew R & Lim CL. 2019. Codonoboea (Gesneriaceae) in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia,
including three new species. Phytokeys 131: 1–26.

From page 3 Loxocarpus incanus var. sekayuensis is hyper endemic
to Terengganu. The survival of these species may be
we encountered at least four species of Codonoboea and threatened if their habitats are destroyed, for example
one Loxocarpus flowering. Several fern species including by the impact of tourism activities and indiscriminate
Cheiropleuria bicuspis and Matonia pectinata, and forest clearance without proper planning. Therefore,
lycophytes such as Lycopodiella cernua and Selaginella it is important to educate the community and create
alutacia were dominant at the peak. The ground was biodiversity awareness to prevent biodiversity loss.
covered with lichens and mosses where Selaginella   
intermedia var. dolichocentrus, a montane lycophyte,
was encountered and recorded for the first time in Acknowledgements
Terengganu. Some common epiphytes species such as We would like to thank Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Terengganu for entry
Oreogrammitis adspersa, Pachycentria glauca subsp. permission, Dome Nikong and his team for their assistance and guidance
maingayi and plant-ant-nest, Hydnophytum formicarum during the expedition. We also thank Ms. Wendy Yong Sze Yee for preparing
(Rubiaceae) were seen on tree branches. the map.

Conclusion References
Ashton PS. 1992. Plant conservation in the Malaysian region. Malayan Nature
The botanical exploration promised interesting and
surprising discoveries of several new species and Journal 45: 86–93.
records. Gunung Sarut is highly diverse with preliminary Davis SD, Heywood VH & Hamilton AC. 1995. Centres of Plant Diversity. A
identification of 349 taxa comprising at least 39 species
endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. For example, Ridleyandra guide and strategy for their conservation. Volume 2. Asia, Australasia and
kiewii subsp. magnifica is a rare Peninsular Malaysian the Pacific. WWF & IUCN, Cambridge. 578 pp.
endemic which is Endangered (MyBis, 2021) while Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). 2010. Ridleyandra kiewii.
https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/21460. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
Tan K, Lu T & Ren MX. 2020. Biogeography and evolution of Asian Gesneriaceae
based on updated taxonomy. PhytoKeys 157: 7–26Turner IM. 1995. A
Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Malaya. Garden’s Bulletin 47: 1–757.

6

A Glimpse of the Trees Along
the Trail of Gunung Sarut

Ahmad-Firdaus Z ([email protected]), Imin K, Syahida-Emiza S,

Wan-Mohamad-Syafiq WP & Siti-Munirah MY

During the expedition to Gunung Sarut, Hulu Nerus Forest Reserve, a total of 232 References
tree species belonging to 110 genera and 57 families were collected. Along the De Kok RPJ. 2021. A revision of Litsea (Lauraceae)
trails from Lata Payung to the summit of Gunung Sarut, tree species belonging to
the Rubiaceae family were the most abundant with a total of 35 species, followed by in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Gardens’
Dipterocarpaceae (33 species), Myrtaceae (15 species), Phyllanthaceae (11 species) Bulletin Singapore 73(1): 81–178.
and Guttiferae and Lauraceae (12 species). Annonaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Polygalaceae Middleton DJ. 2011. Apocynaceae. In: R. Kiew, RCK
and Ebenaceae were also discovered along the expedition routes. Thirty-one taxa (or Chung, LG Saw, E Soepadmo & PC Boyce (eds)
13.4%) of the total tree species recorded at Gunung Sarut are endemic to Peninsular Flora of Peninsular Malaysia ser. 3, vol. 2, pp 91–101
Malaysia. Rubiaceae and Guttiferae had the most endemics with five and four species Nooteboom HP. 2012. Magnoliaceae. In: R. Kiew,
respectively. Some of the interesting and endemic species are highlighted here. RCK Chung, LG Saw & E Soepadmo (eds) Flora
of Peninsular Malaysia ser. 2, vol. 3, pp 219–248
We checked the conservation status of some tree species collected from this expedition Prance GT. 2012. Lecythidaceae. In: R. Kiew, RCK
and 48 species are listed in the Malaysia Red List. One species is Critically Endangered Chung, LG Saw & E Soepadmo (eds) Flora of
(i.e. Memecylon lancifolium), seven are Vulnerable, nine are Near Threatened and 31 are Peninsular Malaysia ser. 2, vol. 3, pp 173–218
Least Concern (Yong et. al., 2021). Quattrocchi, U. 2016. CRC World Dictionary of
Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common
Gunung Sarut has a high diversity of flora and good species composition in various Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms,
forest types. It is home to many species endemic to the region and those on the and Etymology. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press, pp
verge of extinction. Although this short expedition was not sufficient to produce a 2306-2307
complete tree checklist, observations on the flora and the current state of vegetation Yong WSY, Chua LSL, Lau KH, Siti-Nur Fatinah
provided a good understanding of the plant ecology at Gunung Sarut. Additional K, Cheah YH, Yao TL, Rafidah AR, Lim CL,
large-scale surveys are required to collect comprehensive data on tree diversity for Syahida-Emiza S, Ummul-Nazrah AR,
biodiversity conservation efforts. Nor-Ezzawanis AT, Chew MY, Siti-Munirah MY,
Julius A, Phoon SN, Sam YY, Nadiah I, Ong PT,
Sarah-Nabila R, Suhaida M, Muhammad-Alif
Azyraf A, Siti-Eryani S, Yap JW, Jutta M, Syazwani
A, Norzielawati S, Kiew R & Chung RCK. 2021.
Malaysia Red List: Plants of Peninsular Malaysia.
Vol. 1, Part I. Research Pamphlet No. 151. Forest
Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong. 107 pp.

Litsea penangiana is a new record Tabernaemontana polyneura
for Terengganu. Locally known as (Apocynaceae) is endemic to Peninsular
‘Medang asam’, it is a small tree Malaysia. It is a small tree found in the
found on lightly shaded areas in upper hill forests. The species name
the upper hill forest. The species is derived from the Greek words
name is derived from the state of ‘polys’ meaning many and ‘neuron’
Penang. The leaves are leathery meaning nerve, referring to the
and whitish below, and are used to leaves having many nerves. When
treat hysteria, madness and insomnia cut, the stem produces white milky
sap. The fruit sits hanging in pairs
(Quattrocchi, 2016). The fruit is ovoid from the terminal leaves, is crescent-
with a cup-shaped stem and sits in the leaf shaped, turns orange-red when ripe
axil. Endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, this species was previously and is filled with many seeds. The
described from the hill and montane forests in Kedah, Penang, conservation status is Least Concern
Kelantan and Pahang. Its conservation status is Endangered (De (Middleton, 2011).
Kok, 2021).

Barringtonia chaniana, locally known Magnolia liliifera (Magnoliaceae) is commonly
as ‘Putat’, is a small tree with obovoid known as ‘Egg Magnolia’, referring to the
fruits that turn reddish or light egg-shaped flower buds. This small
brown when ripe. The flower tree is found on the lightly shaded
has pink stamens and pale green slopes in the upper hill forest and
sepals. The species is named the species name is derived from
after Chan Yee Chong, a field the Latin word ‘lilifera’ meaning
botanist of Kepong Herbarium lily, referring to the lily-like flowers.
who first discovered the species. Magnolia liliifera has fragrant flowers
The species normally occurs in and is suitable as an ornamental plant
lowland forests, but has also been found in recreational parks and gardens. The
on ridges in upper hill forest at Gunung Sarut. The conservation conservation status is Near Threatened
status is Near Threatened (Prance, 2012). (Nooteboom, 2012).

7

Thismia in

Hulu Nerus Forest Reserve

By Siti Munirah Mat Yunoh ([email protected]) & Dome Nikong

Thismia Griff. is a genus belonging to the family distributed in many states of Peninsular Malaysia, T.
Thismiaceae. Thismia is a small mycoheterotrophic herb latiffiana and T. sitimeriamiae, the two newly described
that has a close relationship with fungi (Coelho et al., species, and Thismia sp1 and Thismia sp2, another two
2021) and has no chlorophyll. Thismia species also have new taxa that are being reviewed.
a variety of complex floral structures, and information
on the reproductive strategies is still very scarce. The Based on our recent studies, including field observations
distribution range extends from tropical and subtropical and documentation, we concluded that most Thismia
Asia to temperate Australia and (mostly) tropical America individuals in the Hulu Nerus FR were found in certain
(Shepeleva et al., 2020). Currently, there are about types of microhabitats. They were found on rotting logs,
89 species, of which about 35 have been recorded in rotting leaves on the ground and on sandy soil patches.
Malaysia, and 26 (74%) of them are endemic. These habitats were near river, in the shade of a large
rock, or along a hiking trail with naturally littered ground
Thismia spp. are notable angiosperms (flowering plants) from fallen leaves.
for their distinctive flowers which have a wide range of
structure. The main flower component is usually shaped We found that T. latiffiana and T. sitimeriamiae visible
like a lantern, earning the genus name “fairy lantern”. The only in wet seasons, and Thismia sp1 visible in both
entire flower colour scheme can be varied and appealing. wet and dry seasons, but were most abundant in
the wet season. We also found that some species
At present nine species are known in Terengganu, i.e., were widespread while some were found only in
Thismia alba Holttum ex Jonker, T. aseroe Becc., T. domei certain areas. For example, Thismia sp1 was the most
Siti-Munirah, T. javanica J. J. Sm., T. terengganuensis Siti- widespread species in the Hulu Nerus FR, found from
Munirah (Siti-Munirah & Dome, 2019), T. arachnites Ridl Lata Papan to Gunung Sarut and up to 300 meters
and T. ornata Dančák, Hroneš & Sochor (unpublished above sea level. It was also recorded in the Tembat FR,
data, reported Facebook Dome Nikong, 2020), T. based on herbarium collection. Thismia sp1 is intriguing
latiffiana Siti-Munirah & Dome (unpublished data) and because of its highly variable colour pattern and the
T. sitimeriamiae Siti-Munirah, Dome & Thorogood (Siti- length of its tepal appendages.
Munirah et al., 2021).
For Thismia sp2, there were only a few populations
At Hulu Nerus Forest Reserve (FR), a Thismia plant was first discovered at Lata Payung. It was not as common as
noticed and photographed in 2015 by the second author Thismia sp1, but was more common than T. latiffiana
while doing his research on orchids. Active searching for and T. sitimeriamiae. However, Thismia sp2 could be
Thismia began in 2018, and numerous plants have been easily overlooked because its brown colour camouflage
seen and photographed since then. However, there was among dry and decayed leaves.
no proper botanical study until recently.
Thismia latiffiana and T. sitimeriamiae, the two newly
During the botanical expedition at the Hulu Nerus FR, proposed species, were extremely rare, with just a few
which covered Gunung Sarut, Lata Payung and Lata specimens found in each population. Only two and
Papan, five species of Thismia were collected and four individuals of T. latiffiana and T. sitimeriamiae,
documented. After a thorough survey and taxonomic respectively, were observed during population visits
study, these were identified as T. aseroe which is widely every few months for more than a year from December
2019 to June 2021. Long-term efforts and observations

8

to find additional populations within the Hulu Nerus For T. aseroe, it was found at Lata Papan. Its bright yellow
FR or at other locations so far have been unsuccessful. colour is similar to Thismia alba, which also looks like a
To date, both species are only known from the type star on the ground. Thismia aseroe is common in several
locality (Lata Payung), implying that both are endemic states in Peninsular Malaysia and was first discovered in
to Terengganu. Singapore in 1865 by the Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari.

In summary, the documentation
of Thismia species in Hulu Nerus
FR has contributed to the number
of flowering species listed for
Hulu Nerus FR and also for the
state of Terengganu. Our results
showed that Hulu Nerus FR is
currently home to five species
of Thismia. In addition, this study
demonstrated the importance of
collaboration between scientists
and local people in scientific work.
It is a challenge for scientists
who are usually based far from
the original site/forest to visit
the forest regularly. Since the
occurrence of Thismia spp. is
unpredictable, collaboration with
locals is important to get ground
support, including collecting
information and monitoring for
long-term scientific data. At the
same time, scientists can educate
the locals about the importance of
plant diversity.

Much biological information
on Thismia is still lacking, for
example their phenology,
pollinators, and phylogenetic
relationships within the Thismia
group itself. Understanding their
biological details and ecology
will undoubtedly contribute to
better forest and conservation
management and all other related
issues in the future.

References
Coelho CP, Sousa IP, Silva GE, Rocha DI, Azevedo MO & Guilherme FAG. 2021. Ombrohydrochory in Thismia panamensis (Standley) Jonk: a mycoheterotrophic

species in Brazilian Cerrado forests. Plant Biology Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.13250
Shepeleva EA, Schelkunov MI, Hroneš M, Sochor M, Dančák M, Merckx VSFT, Kikuchi IA, Chantanaorrapint S, Suetsugu K, Tsukaya H, Mar SS, Luu HT, Li H-Q,

Logacheva MD & Nuraliev MS. 2020. Phylogenetics of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae: Dioscoreales) with a focus on the Old World
taxa: delineation of novel natural groups and insights into the evolution of morphological traits. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 193(3): 287–315.
Siti-Munirah MY & Dome N. 2019. Thismia domei and T. terengganuensis (Thismiaceae), two new species, and T. javanica, a new record from Terengganu,
Peninsular Malaysia. PhytoKeys 124: 123–137.
Siti-Munirah MY, Dome N & Thorogood CJ. 2021. Thismia sitimeriamiae (Thismiaceae), an extraordinary new species from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia.
PhytoKeys 179: 75–89.

9

Spying on the private
life of the Tortoise Shell
Begonia (Begonia kingiana)

Chan Yoke Mui ([email protected]) & Tan Kok Kiat

This ornamental ‘fortune tortoise’ can
be a symbol of good luck and longevity
(Photo: Yap Kok Sun).

Begonia kingiana is named after Sir Begonia kingiana is a creeping herbaceous member of the
George King, the Superintendent of Begoniaceae family that can grow up to 6 cm long. The leaves
the Royal Botanic Garden in Calcutta, vary from green to blackish in colour with visible veins on the
India from 1871 to 1898 (Kiew, 2005). upper surface. The colour of the flowers is quite variable,
It is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, ranging from pale pink to pink, greenish pink, light green, pale
and confined to limestone areas. The green to bright red (Tan, 2013). The striking colours of the
conservation status of this species is flowers and the captivating shell-like patterns of the leaves
Endangered (FRIM, unpublished data). make this species a good candidate for an ornamental, but
this has yet to be exploited. In Asia, the tortoise symbolises
The common name comes from this variegated form good luck and longevity, and in the future B. kingiana could
which resembles a tortoise shell (Kiew, 2005). perhaps be marketed and popularised as a ‘fortune tortoise’
plant that brings good blessings to its owner.

To understand the floral behaviour and sexual biology of
B. kingiana, we studied the plants collected from Langkawi
and Kelantan which are being grown at FRIM’s nursery. Eight
plants flowered during the observation periods from January
to August in 2011, in September 2012 and from June to
August 2014. A total of 13 inflorescences were recorded: one
of the plants produced 3 inflorescences, another produced
4 inflorescences and the rest produced only 1 inflorescence
per plant. The species is monoecious (i.e., bearing both male
and female flowers on the same plant) but with unisexual
flowers (i.e., either male or female only). The inflorescence is
normally bisexual but unisexual inflorescences bearing only
male flowers do occur, as shown in this study (Table 1).

Table 1. Floral behaviour of B. kingiana Days

Parameters 12 (9-15)
1 Male bud development to first anthesis, mean (range)
2 Anthesis duration within flower, mean (range) 3 (1-7)
3* Anthesis duration within inflorescence, week
4 Female bud development, mean (range) 1 – 6*
5 Female receptivity, mean (range)
15 (7-32)
6 Male buds observed 5 (3-6)
7 Male buds per inflorescence, mean Number
8 Male flowers observed or ratio
9 Female buds observed
10 Female buds per inflorescence, mean 161
11 Female flowers observed 16
12 Male to female sex ratio, mean 69
20
Unisexual (male only) inflorescence, % 2
*Parameter 3 in weeks. 13
10.9
15

10

The floral phase of an inflorescence from bud to the the early morning, closing later in the evening. Female
end of flowering took at least 4 weeks. In general, flower receptivity lasted 3–6 days.
male flowers always develop and flower first before the
female; this is known as protandry. In an inflorescence, It was interesting to find that within an inflorescence
male bud development required an average of 12 days of B. kingiana, the overlap between male anthesis and
before reaching the first anthesis or becoming fully open female receptivity period of between 2–7 days was
and functional (Table 1). The duration of development in quite common; this occurred in 6 out of 8 plants.
some male buds could not be ascertained because of Non-overlapping or a temporal gap between anthesis
missing observations in the early bud stage. Male flowers and receptivity was observed in only 2 inflorescences.
have been observed to open in the morning from 6–8 Hence, geitonogamy or selfing, which is the fertilisation
a.m. and then closing or closing slightly after 3 p.m. in of a flower by pollen from another flower on the same
the evening (Fig. 1, C–E). A male flower usually opened plant, is possible in this species. In one particular plant
for 3 days before dropping off. The period between first where both male and female flowers were open, the
anthesis of the male flower until production of the female female flower was hand-pollinated with pollen from
bud took at least 9 days. the male flowers. After the tepals of the female flower
had dropped off (end of receptivity), the ovary remained
On the other hand, the time taken for a female bud to intact for 9 days before abscission. Thus, fruit failed to set.
develop into flower is slightly longer, about 15 days on For the rest of the plants, no pollination took place in the
average. Not all female buds developed into flowers; absence of assisted pollination and insect pollinators such
some were prematurely aborted. Similar to the male as stingless bees or honey bees. So the female flowers were
flowers, three female flowers were observed to open in eventually aborted a few days after the end of receptivity.

AB

2011/06/21 07:48 2011/06/30 17:28

CD

2011/07/01 09:23 2011/07/01 15:24

EF

2011/07/01 17:39 2011/07/18 13:18

Fig. 1 Floral development. (A) Male phase with first anthesis (Day 1) starting in the morning around 8 a.m. on 21st June 2011. (B) The male
flower abscised 3 days later, leaving a scar as indicated by the orange arrow. A female bud was observed on Day 10 (green arrow). (C) Male
flowers opened in the morning, and (D) started closing in the afternoon. (E) One of the male flowers closed completely in the evening on
the same day. The flowers opened again the next morning. (F) On Day 28, the female flower started to open in the afternoon.

11

GH

2011/07/19 18:34 2011/07/21 17:42

IJ

2011/07/25 17:50 2011/07/28 06:47

Fig. 1 (G) This female flower was fully open the next day together with 2 other male flowers. (F-H) Overlapping between male
anthesis and female receptivity occurred for 5 days before (I) the female flower dropped its tepals after flowering for 7 days and
(J) abscised 3 days later.

The mean sex ratio of male to female flowers was 10.9 or may not be a temporal gap between anthesis and
with high numbers of male flowers produced compared receptivity within an inflorescence.
to female flowers. There are some theories which may
explain this. According to the sex allocation theory, the This study enabled us to predict the timing for possible
cost of production and development of fruit is much assisted pollination for selective or improved breeding
more expensive in female than in male flowers (Charnov, and propagation purposes. We assume that for these
1982). Gender specialisation in Begonia facilitates the purposes, it would be best to hand pollinate female
unusual pollination strategy, in which the male flowers flowers within the first 3 days of their opening with fresh
produce pollen reward to attract pollinators whereas the pollen from male flowers aged less than 2 days.
female flowers do not produce any rewards or nectar but
attract pollinators by mimicking the male flowers (Chan & References
Chua, 2007). Thus, the floral sex ratio is under frequency- Chan YM & Chua LSL. 2007. Are Begonia populations likely to go
dependent selection; male-biased inflorescences
will have less seed produced, while female-biased extinct when their natural habitats become degraded? Preliminary
inflorescences are less attractive to pollinators. speculations from the breeding system, floral biology and flowering
phenology. Pp. 7–15 in Proceedings of Conference on Forestry &
In conclusion, both male and female floral development Forest Products Research: Balancing Economic and Ecological
in B. kingiana takes about 2 weeks before flowering. Needs. 27–29 November 2007. Kuala Lumpur.
Begonia kingiana exhibits protandrous flowering where Charnov EL. 1982. The Theory of Sex Allocation. Princeton University
male flowers open first, usually in the early morning, Press. New Jersey.
followed by female flowers a few weeks later. There may Kiew R. 2005. Begonias of Peninsular Malaysia. Natural History
Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Tan JPC. 2013. The ‘Tortoise’ of limestone hills in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Begonian 90: 178–183.

We welcome articles on new research information on flora or fauna Conservation Malaysia is published twice a year and hardcopies are free
upon request. Please contact The Editor for queries or comments. Past
and discussions related to biodiversity or conservation. Please send issues are available at: https://www.mybis.gov.my/one/publication.
php?menu=27&g=1. Funded by the Ministry of Energy and Natural
articles to: The Editor, Resources. Editorial team: Dr. Lillian Chua, Dr. Chan Yoke Mui and
Ms. Ong Su Ping.
Conservation Malaysia Bulletin,

Forest Research Institute Malaysia,

52109 Kepong, Selangor.

(Attn: Dr. Chan Yoke Mui, [email protected] or

Ms. Ong Su Ping, [email protected])

12