JOURNAL
TROPICAL
AVELINAHOF
JULIUS
ET AL.BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 6 : 1 – 20, 2010
1
Zingiberaceae of Maliau Basin, Sabah, Malaysia
Avelinah Julius¹, Atsuko Takano², Monica Suleiman³ and Welly Frederick Tukin4
¹Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 52109 Kepong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
²Museum of Nature and Human Activities Hyogo, 6 Chome, Yayoigaoka, Sanda,
Hyogo 669-1546, Japan.
³Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Locked Bag 2073,
88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Maliau Basin Studies Centre, P.O Box 60793, 91017 Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.
ABSTRACT. The genera and species
of Zingiberaceae in the Maliau Basin
Conservation Area (MBCA) were studied
based on fieldwork and herbarium specimens
at the Forest Research Centre Herbarium,
Sepilok (SAN). A total of 65 species in 14
genera of gingers were found and recorded
from this area. Some important genera were
Plagiostachys, Etlingera, Elettariopsis and
Hornstedtia. The population in this area
is relatively high compared to other areas
in the western part of Sabah, e.g. Crocker
Range and Kinabalu Park with 51 species
in 12 genera and 58 species in 12 genera,
respectively. Members of the tribe Alpinieae
are predominant in the area surveyed. Two
species, Elettariopsis smithiae var. rugosa
and Hornstedtia scyphifera var. fusiformis, are
new records for Borneo.
Keywords: Gingers, Elettariopsis smithiae var.
rugosa, Hornstedtia scyphifera var. fusiformis,
first report, Borneo, Zingiberaceae.
genera and ca. 156 species were recorded in
Sabah (Gobilik & Yusoff, 2005). Though ca.
156 species have been recorded for this state,
many species remain undescribed and are yet
to be documented (e.g. Ibrahim, 1995; Takano
et al., 2004; Julius et al., 2005).
Maliau Basin, which covers approximately
590 km², is located in the centre of the southern
part of Sabah, and is famous among botanists
for its richness in flora. Its forests rise from
about 300 m to 1800 m above sea level, and
has an uninterrupted range of forest types from
lowland to upper montane.
To date, only 28 species of gingers were
reported in Maliau Basin. Hazebroek et al.
(2004) listed gingers found in that area based
on specimens deposited in SAN, mostly
collected by Sidkan et al. (not including
Poulsen’s specimens). The number given does
not represent the diversity of gingers in Maliau
Basin, and furthermore not all localities were
studied.
INTRODUCTION
With 53 genera and over 1200 species,
Zingiberaceae is the largest family of the
order Zingiberales (Kress et al., 2002) and it
is widely distributed in the tropics. Nineteen
genera and over 200 species have been
reported so far from Borneo. Of these, 14
Subsequently, further studies and
collection was attempted to update the number
of gingers harboured in that area during the
Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 2005,
which was jointly organised by Universiti
Malaysia Sabah, the Japanese International
Cooperation Agency and Yayasan Sabah.
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ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
In this paper, we present the list of
gingers species found in Maliau Basin based
on the 2005 collection and the additional
herbarium material studied in BORNEENSIS
Herbarium, Institute for Tropical Biology and
Conservation (BORH) and SAN (including
specimens collected by Poulsen et al.), and
to compare it to those of the other areas in
Borneo.
METHODS
The survey was conducted in Maliau Basin
at various localities namely Agathis Camp,
Ginseng Camp, Lobah Camp, Bambangan
Camp, Camel Trophy, Maliau Waterfall,
Ginseng Waterfall and the trail to Giluk
Waterfall. In addition, gingers were also
collected along the trails between the camps.
Plant collection and observation was done from
25 February 2005 to 9 March 2005. Collected
plants were pressed for herbarium specimens,
and parts of flowers or fruits (if available) were
preserved in 70 % ethanol. Specimens were
deposited either at BORH or SAN. Additional
material from Maliau Basin were examined
at BORH and SAN, and cited here as well.
Keys included in publications by Cowley
(1999), Kam (1982), Poulsen et al. (1999),
Smith (1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989,
1990) and Sakai & Nagamasu (2000, 2003)
were used to identify the species. Collection
number of recent collection, were given the
initial ATW, which stands for Avelinah Julius,
Takahashi, A. and Willey, F.T. The specimens
of Etlingera were determined by A. D. Poulsen
during his short visit at BORH in June 2005.
RESULTS
Including records at BORH and SAN herbaria,
Maliau Basin harbours 66 species from 14
genera of gingers (Table 1). The genera
Amomum has the highest number of species
with ten species, followed by Etlingera and
Plagiostachys (nine species each). Generally,
these genera are mainly represented for
Bornean gingers (Ibrahim, 1992; Gobilik &
Yusoff, 2005). Brief description or short notes,
where appropriate, are provided below.
Table 1. List of ginger species found in Maliau Basin.
3
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
Alpinieae A. Rich
1.3 Alpinia cf. havilandii K. Schum.
Alpinieae is an evergreen herb. This tribe
is characterised by the plane of distichy of
leaves is tranverse to direction of rhizome,
having fibrous rhizome rather than fleshy, lack
of extrafloral nectaries, lateral staminodes
are much more reduced or absent and never
petaloid, labellum never connate to filament,
having a medium length of filament that is
sometimes arching, anther crest petaloid or
absent, ovary trilocular, placentation is axial
or free central and capsule is indehiscent or
fleshy.
Maliau Basin. Pakis Camp, upper dipterocarp,
alt. 800 m, attaining to 1 m tall, 15 Mar. 2001,
Joel & Sidkan MB772 and Henry & Sidkan
MB780 (SAN).
This plant resembles to A. havilandii from
its inflorescence which penetrate through the
leafy stem and pubescent, petiolate leaves,
capsule globose and hairy. No flowers
observed.
2. Amomum Roxb.
The genus is easily distinguished by its
terminal inflorescence on leafy shoot, which
is emerging above its uppermost leaf sheath,
rarely appearing lateral and if so then not
densely congested and labellum large and
showy (so far only two species, A. havilandii
K. Schum and A. hansenii R.M. Sm., are
known to have lateral inflorescence).
Amomum is characterised by radical cone-like
inflorescences without an involucre of sterile
bracts, sometimes stilted root. Flowers either
borne singly or in cincinni, bracteoles tubular
or open to the base, corolla tube long exerted
from calyx or having more or less equal to
or shorter than the calyx, lateral staminodes
present or absent, anther crested or ecristate
and its anther thecae reportedly dehiscing
either throughout the length or only upper
half.
1.1 Alpinia ligulata K. Schum.
2.1 Amomum cf. anomalum R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. On trail to Ginseng Waterfall,
moist area, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW14 (BORH);
Pakis Camp, upper dipterocarp, alt. 800 m,
fruits green, 18 Mar. 2001, Sawantan & Sidkan
MB822 (SAN).
This plant has strong paniculate
inflorescence similar to A. nieuwenhuizii and
easily distinguished from other taxa by its
prominent long ligule.
Maliau Basin. Trail to Ginseng Waterfall, on
stream, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW17 (BORH).
The specimen above grows in clump,
stilted, to 2 m tall. Inflorescence cylindrical,
elongate to age, one flower per bract, bracts
papery and markedly fine longitudinal
striations.
1.2 Alpinia nieuwenhuizii Valeton
Maliau Basin. Bambangan Camp, shaded, alt.
480 m, 6 Mar. 2005, ATW40 (BORH).
Terrestrial herb, in clump, to 1.7 m tall.
Leaf sheath pale brown, striate, glabrous.
Leaves sessile, ligule 3 mm long, entire;
lamina narrowly elliptic, ca. 30 × 3.5 cm,
base cuneate-attenuate, apex acuminate, ca.
2 cm long. Inflorescence appeared at base of
1. Alpinia Roxb.
This species is the only Alpinia found growing
on steep slope at Ginseng Waterfall. Flowers
were observed. No voucher specimens were
made.
2.2 Amomum borealiborneense I.M.Turner
4
leafy stem, ca. 11 cm long, bracts pale brown,
striate, papery, rachis hairy, one flower per
bract. Flowers pale cream; calyx tubular,
white, truncate; labellum obovate, clawed at
base, median yellow, flanking with scarlet vein,
anther pinkish, anther crest trilobe, median
lobe reflexed backward; lateral staminodes
whitish with red at base, reflexed outward to
labellum, glabrous.
Other individual also found growing near
trail around Ginseng Camp, but no voucher
specimen was made.
2.3 Amomum coriaceum R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin, Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
nature trail near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E, alt.
600 m, 29 Mar. 2002, L. M. Sm. 1830 (SAN);
stream bank near camp, 8 Mar. 2005, ATW19
(BORH).
Terrestrial herb, in clump, to 2.5 m tall,
stilted. Leaves narrowly elliptic, pubescent
below, glabrous above; ligule ca. 1 cm long,
entire, pubescent. Infructescent from base,
7–15 cm long. Bracts frilled, hairy in the
margin, stiff at apex. Capsule sub-globose.
Calyces remaining in fruiting. No flower
observed.
2.4 Amomum dimorphum M.F. Newman
Maliau Basin. Km 35 from gate towards
MBCA, roadside in open area, 4º37’ N,
116º56’E, alt. 440 m, terrestrial herb, in
clump, 2–3 m tall. Stem yellow-green, lamina
dark green, midrib yellow, lamina plain green
below, inflorescence at base, erect, flowers
white, fruits green to pale yellow (when ripe),
arillus with sour taste, seeds brown, 27 Mar.
2002, Poulsen 1811 (SAN); 700 m along
trail from Bambangan Camp to Camp 88,
regenerating landslide area, 4º46’ N, 116º55’E,
alt. 600 m, terrestrial herb, up to 3.5 m tall,
in clump, stilt rooted, ca. 7 cm. Base of leafy
shoot reddish brown, 4–5 cm in diam., lower
2 m leafless, inflorescent peduncle ascending
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
from base up to 20 cm, two flowers per bract,
flowers cream–white with orange-yellow patch
in labellum, calyces remaining after flowering,
6 Oct. 2002, Poulsen 1653 (SAN); Agathis
Camp, flat area, alt. 500 m, can reach height
to 5 m, 5 Apr. 2000, Diwol & Sidkan MB38
(SAN); trail to Ginseng Waterfall, by a stream,
28 Feb. 2005, ATW20 (BORH).
2.5 Amomum testaceum Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Small stream near road between
junction and Belian Camp, secondary forest,
wet slope of stream bed, 4º44’ N, 116º59’E,
alt. 300 m, 28 Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1823 (SAN);
trail from Lobah Camp to Maliau Waterfalls,
alt. 550 m a.s.l., 6 Mar. 2005, ATW41 (BORH,
SAN).
This species produces a lime smell when
its leaves are crashed. It can be distinguished
from other species by the papery, buff
coloured bracts, that are strongly marked with
longitudinal striations.
2.6 Amomum aff. laxisquamosum K. Schum.
Maliau Basin. Camel Trophy, alt. 910 m, 2
Mar. 2005, ATW24 (BORH).
Terrestrial herb, up to 1.60 m tall. Leaves
ca. 5 pairs per shoot, lamina linear-elliptic, 35
× 3 cm, leaf apex acuminate, 5–10 mm long,
leaf base unequal, cuneate-attenuate, petiole
to 1 cm long, ± sessile in upper part of leafy
shoot; ligule, bilobed, 2–5 mm long; sheath
reticulate, densely short hairs. Infructescence
at base of leafy stem, ca. 7 cm long, globose;
bracts pale brown, papery, glabrous; calyx, ca.
1 cm long, densely hairy outside, pale brown
in dry state; capsule oblong, ca. 2 × 1 cm,
ribbed, densely hairy.
The plant is similar to A. laxisquamosum
in its reticulate sheath, shorter ligule (up to 5
mm long), and ribbed capsule, but it differs
by having oblong and pubescence capsule as
opposed to spherical and glabrous capsule of
A. laxisquamosum.
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AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
2.7 Amomum aff. luteum R.M. Sm.
3. Elettaria Maton
Maliau Basin. Pakis Camp, upper dipterocarp,
alt. 800 m, 15 Mar. 2001, Ming, Sawantan &
Sidkan MB770 (SAN).
In having petiole to 2 cm long, the
pubescence lamina on lower surface and the
hairy ligule, this plant resembles to A. luteum,
but it differs in lacking hairs on its petiole and
leaf sheath.
The genus Elettaria is characterised by frondlike leaf shoots, having prostrate inflorescence
born separately from the leafy shoot, which
is usually much elongated, flowers in
cincinni with tubular bracteoles, bracts never
imbricate, and anther crest absent or present
(very minute).
2.8 Amomum aff. testaceum Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, secondary forest,
relatively intact, about 15 m above river, 4º45’
N, 116º58’E, alt. 250 m, terrestrial herb, ca.
1 m tall, in clump, more or less stilted, stem
reticulate, petioles ca. 2 cm long, bracts brown,
leaf sheath strongly reticulate, ligule, truncateemarginate and glabrous, leaves elliptic,
18–35 × 7 cm, glabrous and shiny on upper
surface, pubescent below, inflorescence ca. 10
cm long, bracts brown, papery, and striate, 27
Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1815 (SAN).
This plant resembles to a typical A.
testaceum in having a strongly reticulate sheath
and a conspicuous striation on its brown,
papery bracts, but it differs in the following
characters. It has rather elliptic leaves, with
lamina pubescence below, petiolate and ligule
are glabrous as opposed to the lanceolate
leaves, lamina glabrous on both surfaces
except at edges towards apex, sessile, and its
ligule bears stiff hairs as in the latter.
2.9 Amomum sp. 1
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, secondary forest,
relatively intact, about 15 m above river, 4º45’
N, 116º58’E, alt. 250 m, terrestrial herb, 1 m
tall, leaves narrowly linear-elliptic, 35 × 5 cm,
glabrous on both surfaces, shortly attenuate
at base and apex shortly acute, inflorescence,
6–15 cm long, bract pale brown, papery, loose,
fruits globose and hairy, 27 Mar. 2002, Poulsen
1816 (SAN).
3.1 Elettaria cf. linearcristata S. Sakai &
Nagam.
Maliau Basin. Trail from Ginseng Camp to
Lobah Camp, 5 Mar. 2005, ATW16 (BORH).
Perennial herb to 1 m tall. Leaves ca. 8 pairs
per shoot; lamina ca. 15 x 4.5 cm, narrowly
elliptic, crenulate along the margin, glabrous
on both surface, but minutely pubescent in the
midrib below, leaf base cuneate, apex caudate
ca. 1.5 cm long; petiole to 7 mm long, hairy;
ligule 2-4 mm long, emarginate, pubescent,
with long hairs and stiff hairs at apex; sheath
striate, hairy. The inflorescences elongate to ca.
15 cm long, pubescent. Flowers in cincinni.
Only dry immature inflorescence was
observed in the field. It is densely hairy in
all part ranging from minute to long hairs.
Vegetatively it also shows similarity to E.
linearcristata by its pubescent ligule, petiole,
leaf sheath and midrib, and differ only in
having narrowly elliptic lamina and more
longer petiole as opposed to narrowly oblongobovate lamina and petiole less than 7 mm
long in the former. However, fertile and fresh
living plant is essential to confirm the species.
So far, E. linearcristata is only known from
Sarawak.
3.2 Elettaria sp.1
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, shaded, tall
dipterocarp forest along streamlet, terrestrial
herb, ca. 1 m tall. Flowers white on erect
shootlet, on long subterranean runners to 70
cm, 11 July 2001, J.T.Pereira, Postar, De
Wilde et al. SAN151211 (SAN).
6
3.3 Elettaria sp.2
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, on damp shady
ground along forest rivulet, alt. 250 m,
terrestrial herb with almost 1 m tall, flower
colour unknown but based on the label notes,
labellum is purple red, 11 July 2001, Postar,
Ubaldus, De Wilde et al. SAN144126 (SAN).
3.4 Elettaria sp.3
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
nature trail, near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E,
alt. 600 m, terrestrial herb to 1 m tall,
rhizome creeping, ca. 20 cm between shoots,
inflorescence long-creeping, flowers 20–60
cm from base of stem, calyx reddish, petals
and labellum white, stamen yellow-green, 29
Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1832 (SAN).
3.5 Elettaria sp.4
Maliau Basin. 100 m along trail to Aliyas
Camp going to north from Camel Trophy Hut
towards waterfall, 4º44’ N, 116º53’E, alt. 1050
m, terrestrial herb, rhizome long creeping, base
of petioles reddish, inflorescence creeping,
flowers white, 4 Oct. 2000, Poulsen 1636
(SAN).
3.6 Elettaria sp.5
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, secondary forest,
relatively intact, close to small rocky stream,
4º45’ N, 116º58’E, alt. 250 m, terrestrial herb to
1.5 m tall, in clump, stem green, leaves plicate,
pubescent below, inflorescence creeping, bracts
pale red, drying brown, dorsal petal reddish,
labellum white with yellow centre, stamen red,
27 Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1812 (SAN).
3.7 Elettaria sp.6
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, shaded, along
muddy stream, on drained place, alt. 250
m, terrestrial herb with rootstock, flowers
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
on subterranean runners (60 cm) on upright
lateral shoots, 15 Mar. 2001, Postar, Ubaldus,
De Wilde et al. SAN144126 (SAN).
4. Elettariopsis Baker
Few-bladed leafy shoots characterised the
genus Elettariopsis. Non-tubular bracteoles,
prominent thin expanded anther crest,
which is often longer than the thecae, and
obconic, triangular-mouthed stigma are the
characteristics that distinguish the genus from
other genera.
4.1 Elettariopsis kerbyi R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
nature trail near camp, 4º41’ N, 110º54’E, alt.
600 m, terrestrial herb to 1 m tall, rhizome
short-creeping, lamina dark green, 29 Mar.
2002, Poulsen 1831 (SAN).
Elettariopsis kerbyi resembles to
E. smithiae in almost all aspects of the
inflorescence (Smith, 1990), but differs from
the latter in having linear leaves with long
caudate apex and the petioles, when present,
never exceed to 1 cm long.
4.2 Elettariopsis aff. kerbyii R.M.Sm.
Maliau Basin. Ginseng Camp, around
waterfall, on slope, alt. 555 m, 4 Mar. 2005,
ATW14 (BORH).
By having linear leaves, long caudate
apex, shortly bilobed pubescent ligule and
short inflorescence, which arise at base of
the leafy shoot, this specimen is remarkably
similar to Elettariopsis kerbyi. However, this
specimen differs from the description by Smith
(1990) in having long pubescent petiole which
is to 4.5 cm long. This plant could be new or
only a variation within the species. Only the
dry inflorescence was observed. Further fertile
and fresh living plant is essential to confirm
the species.
7
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
4.3 Elettariopsis smithiae var. rugosa Kam
Maliau Basin. Bambangan Camp, near
trail, covered with thin layer of leaf litter,
surrounding areas, alt. 480 m, 6 Mar. 2005,
ATW44 (BORH).
Rhizomatous herb, ca. 1.3 m tall. Leafy
shoot bearing up to six leaves, with petiole
2.5–7 cm long, glabrous; lamina, ellipticoblanceolate, ca. 29–35 × 4–7 cm, glabrous,
rugose, base cuneate-attenuate, apex short
caudate, ca. 1.5 cm long; ligule bilobed, ca. 3
mm long, lobes rounded, glabrous; bracts and
bracteoles totally open. Flower, ca. 7 cm long,
whitish-pale cream; calyx tubular, ca. 3 cm
long, bilobed at apex, glabrous; corolla tube,
slender, ca. 5 cm long, pale yellow and pinkish
at base; corolla hardly equal length, ca. 1.5 cm
long, dorsal petal spatulate, cuculate, laterals
ovate; labellum ovate, with conspicuous
throat, crispy along the margin, yellow band
in the middle flanking by scarlet dots at base;
stamen ca. 7 mm long, with anther ca. 3 mm
long, thecae whitish; anther crest thin, broadly
triangular; stigma protruding 1 mm above
anther, obconical, with dorsal opening, ciliated
mouth; epigynous gland, two, slender, pale
yellow, ca. 5 mm long; ovary globose, ca. 5 ×
3 mm, pubescence with short hair, surrounded
by a thin line of tinted pink at base and apex.
The creamy white flower, and its labellum
being yellow centrally, which is flanking
by the two red lines, the crested anther, and
the short inflorescence that appears at base
of leafy shoot, could confuse this plant with
Amomum. However, the conspicuously longer
petiole (to 7 cm long), in its obconical stigma,
and loosely few blades, are not characteristics
of Amomum.
It is readily recognised from Elettariopsis
curtisii Baker and E. burttiana Y.K. Kam
in its not decurrent leaf base, petiole not
exceeding 7 cm long, ligule not more than 3
mm long, and absence of lateral staminodes.
The conspicuously caudate leaf apex, and in
its ligule being short, bilobed and glabrous,
ATW44 appears similar to E. triloba, but it
differs by lacking of lateral staminodes, has
triangular anther crest, obtuse bract apices,
and having an entire labellum as opposed to
the presence of lateral staminodes, anther crest
is more or less quadrate, thin, expanded, with
a small tooth-like lobe at base on each side,
broadly pointed bract, and trilobed labellum of
the latter.
This plant can not be separated from E.
smithiae var. rugosa, from the structure of its
inflorescence and flowers, as compared the
type illustration of the former (fig. 5, Kam
228; Kam, 1982). The remarkable characters
in having rugose lamina, and the absence of
lateral staminodes distinguished this plant
from typical form of E. smithiae.
4.4 Elettariopsis sp.
Maliau Basin. Lake Linumunsut, at slope, alt.
440 m, terrestrial herb to 50 cm tall and having
green inflorescence, 17 Oct. 2001, Sidkan s.n.
(SAN).
5. Etlingera Giseke
Etlingera is characterised by an involucre
of sterile bracts, a short or much elongated
peduncle, tubular and elongated bracteoles,
and distinct petal lobes, base of filament and
labellum (Poulsen et al., 1999).
5.1 Etlingera brachychila (Ridl.) R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp. 8 Mar. 2005,
ATW47 (BORH); riverside forest, alt. 300 m,
herbs plant, ca. 1.5 m tall, upper leaves green,
lower part dark purple, 24 July 2003, Diwol
SAN136232 (SAN).
This species is easily identified by the
purple colour underneath the lamina, leaves
distinctly undulate and flowers scarlet, many
open at one time, and lip is short.
8
5.2 Etlingera brevilabrum (Valeton) R.M.
Sm.
Maliau Basin. Trail between Camel Trophy
Hut towards Bambangan Camp, ridge top,
4º46’ N, 116º55’E, alt. 600 m, Poulsen 1646
(SAN); Rafflesia Camp, near the river, alt.
500 m, 24 Apr. 2000, Henry & Sidkan MB223
(SAN).
It is easy to recognise this species by its
short rounded red labellum with prominent
white stigma, which is one to two in an
inflorescence. Another distinguishing character
of this species is the presence of many purple
blotches on the surface of its lamina.
5.3 Etlingera coccinea (Blume) S. Sakai &
Nagam.
Maliau Basin. Ginseng Waterfall, on slope,
moist area, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW46 (BORH).
This plant is edible and used by local
people as food. Its young shoot is collected as
vegetable and for pickle. It is easily identified
by its strong unpleasant smell and red labellum
with yellow in the middle.
5.4 Etlingera fimbriobracteata (K. Schum.)
R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Rafflesia Camp, hilly-helipad,
alt. 500 m, 2 m tall, flower yellowish red, 23
Apr. 2000, Sidkan, A. MB216 (SAN); along
the trail from Bambangan Camp to Camp 88,
regenerating landslide area, 4º46’ N, 116º55’E,
alt. 600 m, Poulsen 1654 (SAN).
5.5 Etlingera inundata S. Sakai & Nagam
Maliau Basin. Around Camel Trophy, alt. 910
m, 2 Mar. 2005, ATW23 (BORH); Pakis Camp,
upper dipterocarp, alt. 500 m, attaining to 1.5
m tall, 15 Mar. 2001, Linus MB767 (SAN).
Terrestrial herb, can attain to 2 m height.
Leaf sheath covered with dense hairs. Leaves
pubescent below, ca. 45 × 11 cm, with petiole
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
1 cm long. Inflorescence ca. 10 cm long,
produced from long stolon, sessile, subtends
two flowers. Flowers pink, lateral petals equal
length to dorsal petal, anther short, sessile,
stigma whitish, labellum red, trilobed, crispy.
No fruit observed.
This newly described species is, so far,
only known from Danum Valley (Sakai &
Nagamasu, 2003). This is the second record
of this species from southeastern part of
Sabah. Based on these two localities, this
species inhabits hill and lowland dipterocarp
forests. It can easily be distinguished from
its inflorescence, which is subtending two
flowers, with few imbricate fertile and sterile
bracts. Only perfect flowers observed.
5.6 Etlingera rubromarginata A.D. Poulsen
& J. Mood
Maliau Basin. Trail from Bambangan Camp to
Maliau Falls, 4º46’ N, 116º55’E, alt. 550 m,
6 Oct. 2000, Poulsen 1647 (SAN, BORH);
Secondary forest, small stream near road
between junction and Belian Camp, wet slope
of stream bed, 4º44’ N, 116º59’E, alt. 300 m,
28 Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1821 (SAN, BORH).
No further plant has been seen during
the survey. The species, however, is easily
identified by its white with red margins
bracts.
5.7 Etlingera sessilanthera R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
Nature Trail near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E, alt.
600 m, 29 Mar. 2000, Poulsen 1826 (SAN);
trail from Bambangan Camp to Maliau Falls,
4º46’ N, 116º55’E, alt. 550 m, 6 Oct. 2000,
Poulsen 1651 (SAN).
This species is reported to be common in
wet areas. The red flower with ecristate anther
resembles that of to E. brevilabrum. However,
the former is differentiated by having red
labellum with yellow in the centre and bifid
middle lobe.
9
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
5.8 Etlingera
Poulsen.
aff.
belalongensis
A.
D.
Maliau Basin. Around Ginseng Camp, on
slope, shaded, surrounding areas, 4 Mar. 2005,
ATW31 (BORH); 2 km along trail to Aliyas
Camp going north from Camel Trophy Hut
towards waterfall, 4º44’ N, 116º53’E, alt. 1050
m, 4 Oct. 2000, Poulsen 1637 (SAN).
Only one individual found in the study
area. The inflorescence is subterranean,
produced from long creeping rhizome.
Peduncle ca. 7 cm long, pubescent. Only three
flowers open at a time. The bracts are whitish
with pink or greenish at edges, with sparse,
long hairs becoming denser to the base outside,
mucronate, ca. 1 mm long. Corolla lobes
oblanceolate, dark pink and shimmers, hardly
equal in length. The red, nodding ecristate
anther is similar to E. belalongensis A. D.
Poulsen, but filament and labellum joined to
form a tube 1.7–2.0 cm above insertion of
corolla. Stigma whitish, heart-shape, flattened,
with dorsal opening mouth, ciliate. Labellum
red-orange with yellow line in the middle,
slightly trilobed, and lateral lobes clasping
the anther, margin crispy. It appears similar to
another collection, Julius 182 (BORH) from
Sayap, in the northern part of Mount Kinabalu.
However, the bract is deep pink rather than
whitish, and 3–5 flowers open at one time.
5.9 Etlingera baculutea A.D. Poulsen & H.
Ibrahim
Maliau Basin. Trail to Ginseng Waterfall, on
rotten tree, shaddy and moist area, 28 Feb.
2005, ATW13 (BORH).
Terrestrial herb, ca. 2 m tall, stilted roots,
with a medium clump. Leaves petiolate in
uppermost part of leafy shoot, petiole to 7 cm
long, swollen on both lateral side; leaf sheath
strongly reticulate; ligule thin texture, fragile,
deeply bilobed, acute, ca. 1.5 cm long; lamina
elliptic, ca. 47 × 7 cm, glabrous on both surface,
base attenuate, apex pungent. Sterile bracts
few, markedly striate; fertile bracts narrowly
elliptic, ca. 5 × 1 cm, striate, papery, at base
velvety. The labellum is yellow with red at tip.
Ovary globose, covered with smooth, dense
hairs. Pedicels ca. 3 mm long, velvety. No fruit
observed.
Only one individual found in the study
area. It is characterised by brittles, bilobed
ligule and prominent reticulate leaf sheath.
From its red and yellow labellum, the plant
above resembles to E. coccinea, but it is easily
recognised by having shorter labellum and the
midlobed is linear as opposed to the expanded
labellum and the spathulate-shaped in the
midlobed of E. coccinea.
5.10 Etlingera aff. velutina (Ridl.) R.M.Sm.
Maliau Basin. Trail from Lobah Camp to
Bambangan Camp, 6 Mar. 2005, ATW39
(BORH).
Terrestrial herb, can attain ca. 3.5 m tall.
Leaves ca. 6 pairs per shoot; lamina papery
at dry state, glabrous on upper surface, hairy
below, more densely at midrib, ca. 60 × 12
cm, crenulate along the margin, ciliate, apex
caudate, ca. 2 cm long, leaf base shortly
attenuate; petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, pubescent
with more densely hair underside; ligule ca.
2 cm long, entire, apex acute, covered with
smooth, brown densely hairs, ciliate; sheath
also pubescent covered with brown hairs.
Inflorescence ca. 13 cm long, half buried on
ground, appeared on long running rhizome,
globose or cyathiform; rhizome velvety with
densely brown hairs; sterile bracts 7 pairs,
elliptic to 5 × 2.5 cm, distichously arranged at
base, pubescent and more densely hairy at base,
ciliate, markedly striate; fertile bracts ca. 5.5
× 1 cm, linear, striate, thin texture, pubescent
outside,, densely hairy at base; calyx tubular,
ca. 4.7 cm long, outside covered with sparse,
straw-colour hairs becoming denser to the base
and tufted hairs at apex; calyx tubular, densely
hairy at base and sparsely long straw-colour
hair towards apex. Flower with labellum pink
10
and yellow in the middle on both upper and
below surface.
Descriptions for bract, bracteole and
calyx were taken from flower bud using dry
specimen. The conspicuous dense hairs on
rhizome, bracts, ligule and petiole cannot
separate this specimen from E. velutina.
However, by having pink labellum with yellow
in the middle on both upper and below surface
of this specimen differentiates it from the type
of E. velutina. Further collections are needed
to clarify the status of this plant.
6. Geostachys (Baker) Ridl.
Geostachys has a lax and either erect or
deflexed inflorescence, without overlapping
bracts that are commonly borne on stilt roots,
is similar to Alpinia. The labellum is entire or
shallowly trilobed and filament is not dentate.
6.1 Geostachys maliauensis C.K. Lim & K.H.
Lau
Maliau Basin. Trail to Giluk Waterfall, on
rotten tree and rich with humus, alt. 800 m, 3
Mar. 2005, ATW29 (SAN).
Terrestrial herb, attaining height less than
1 m, bearing 3–5 blades per shoot, prominent
veins. Lamina elliptic-lanceolate, 25–35 ×
8–7 cm, glabrous on both surfaces, slightly
undulate, apex acuminate, shortly caudate, leaf
base cuneate, with petiole 1–3 cm long, ligule
to 1 cm, truncate or emarginate. Inflorescence
elongate to 6 cm long, bracts brown, markedly
longitudinal striate, bracteoles brown, pedicels
and peduncles red, only dry flowers observed.
7. Hornstedtia Retz.
The genus Hornstedtia produces radical
inflorescence, which is enclosed by an involucre
of rigid sterile bracts. The inflorescences, that
are often held above ground on stilt roots, are
fusiform or occasionally cyatiform. Normally,
flowers emerged a few at a time and only their
tips visible. It is also lack of lateral staminodes,
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
and the corolla lobes and labellum are hardly
equal in length.
7.1 Hornstedtia scyphifera (J.König) Steud.
var. fusiformis Holttum
Maliau Basin. 18 Aug. 2000, MB577, as
Cenolophon sp. (SAN); around Maliau
Waterfall, surrounding areas, 6 Mar. 2005,
ATW23 (BORH).
ATW23 (BORH) reaching ca. 2 m tall and
stilted. Leaves ca. 5 pairs per shoot; lamina
elliptic, ca. 40 × 11 cm, glabrous on upper
surface, densely hairy on lower surface and
midrib with longer, pale brown and straight
hairs at base; ciliate in the margin, apex to
2.5 cm long, caudate, leaf base asymmetric,
attenuate; leaf sheath reticulate, glabrous
except densely long pale brown hairs ca. 5 mm
in the uppermost towards ligule and petiole;
ligule ca. 2 cm long, entire, hairy in the middle,
ciliate with long straight hairs. Infructescence
ca. 12 cm long, fusiform, glabrous; sterile
bracts broadly elliptic, ribbing and the crossbars, whitish half below, and brown (in the
dry state) on upper half; fertile bracts, oblonglinear, glabrous; bracteoles non-tubular, linear,
ca. 2.5 cm long, thin texture, glabrous, subtend
one fruit. Capsule ca. 2.5 × 1.2 cm, obovate,
glabrous, striate and pale brown (at dry stage).
The tubular calyx remaining in the fruiting.
As seen in the type specimen (S.F.N.
30236), which is cited at E, the characteristics
of the rhizome being raised on the short stilt
roots, narrowly fusiform inflorescence, to about
12 cm long, and prominent long hairs up to 5
mm at ligule, petiole and the adjacent parts of
sheath, cannot separate the plants above from
var. fusiformis. However, the leaves of these
Bornean plants are lacking hairs on its upper
surface. So far, this species is only known
from Peninsular Malaysia.
7.2 Hornstedtia sp. 1
Maliau Basin. Around Ginseng Camp, 4 Mar.
2005, ATW30 (BORH).
11
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
This plant is ca. 1.6 m tall, stilted; lamina
oblong-elliptic, pubescent below and denser
with white hairs at midrib, leaf base ± attenuate
and asymmetric, apex acuminate; petiole ca.
1 cm long, pubescent, ligule ca. 2.5 cm long,
glabrescent, ciliate; leaf sheath reticulate and
minutely pubescent near petiole; inflorescences
ca. 11 cm long including peduncle ca. 2 cm
long, fusiform; bracts reticulate in upper half,
apex mucronate, velvety at edges.
8. Plagiostachys Ridl.
Plagiostachys produces inflorescence which
penetrates laterally from the leafy shoot.
The recent molecular analysis by Julius et
al. (2008) has divided the genus into three
subclades; subclades A, B and C. These
subclades can be differentiated using the
combination characters of inflorescence
(mucilaginous vs. not-mucilaginous) and
hairiness of capsules (pubescent vs. glabrous).
The species of subclade A, is characterized by
having not-mucilaginous inflorescence and
pubescent capsules, those species of subclade
B show not- or mucilaginous inflorescence
but glabrous capsules, while the species of
subclade C has mucilaginous inflorescence but
pubescent capsule.
8.1 Plagiostachys albiflora Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, riverine forest,
well drained, alt. 400-500 m, herb 1–1.2 m,
fruits green ca. 2 cm long, short rootstock, 14
July 2001, Postar et al. SAN144105 (SAN);
flat area, alt. 500 m, 5 Apr. 2000, Edward &
Sidkan MB41 (SAN); Rafflesia Camp, alt. 515
m, 0.5 m tall, flowers orange, 23 Apr. 2000,
Edward & Sidkan MB214 (SAN); around
Ginseng Camp, at slope, shaded and wet area,
alt. 610 m, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW4 (BORH).
Plagiostachys albiflora is belonging to
subclade B as it has glabrous capsules with
mucilaginous inflorescence. In Maliau Basin,
the plant is conspicuously petiolate, has
broadly oblanceolate leaves, and inflorescence/
infructescence is branching to 2-3.
8.2 Plagiostachys oblanceolata Gobilik & A.
Lamb
Maliau Basin. Camel Trophy Camp, northern
direction, mountainous-heath, alt. 1018 m,
herb ca. 1 m tall, flower red, 11 Apr. 2000,
Henry & Sidkan MB124 (SAN); Rafflesia
Camp, flat area, alt. 500 m, flower red, 22
Apr. 2000, Sidkan MB187 (SAN); km 6, trail
from Agathis Camp to Ginseng Camp, 26 Feb.
2005 ATW1 (BORH); around Ginseng Camp,
alt. 610 m, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW15 (BORH);
Agathis Camp, nature trail, 8 Mar. 2005,
ATW45 (BORH); around Camel Trophy Hut,
27 Feb. 2005, ATW25 (BORH); around Lobah
Camp, 7 Mar. 2005, ATW33 (BORH).
This species is abundant in the study areas.
It is also known from Imbak Canyon (Gobilik
1006 and HN7268). So far, no collection has
been seen from the western part of Sabah, such
as Crocker Range and Long Pasia.
8.3 Plagiostachys parva Cowley
Maliau Basin. Ginseng Camp, alt. 610 m, 27
Feb. 2005, ATW10 (BORH, SAN); trail from
Lobah Camp to Maliau Waterfall, 7 Mar.
2005, ATW32 (BORH); trail to Camel Trophy,
3 Mar. 2005, ATW42 (BORH).
Plagiostachys parva’s distribution is very
little known. So far, it is only found to occur
in Temburong District, Brunei and Poring,
Ranau (Cowley, 1999). In Maliau Basin, it is
mainly found at Ginseng Camp and further up
to Lobah Camp and Camel Trophy.
8.4 Plagiostachys strobilifera (Baker) Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Upstream from Agathis Camp,
top ridge, alt. 500 m, ca. 1 m tall, fruit
cauliflorus, pale pink, 4 Apr. 2000, Henry &
Sidkan MB11 (SAN); around Agathis Camp, 8
Mar. 2005, ATW48 (BORH).
12
Plagiostachy strobilifera is easily
recognised by its sessile leaves, pubescence
on both surface, often denser on lower surface,
densely hairy leaf sheath, short truncateemarginate (sometimes bilobed) ligule and
densely hairy. The pinkish, short and densely
hairy flower, and pubescence, whitish (rarely
red) and globose capsule are characterics of
this species.
8.5 Plagiostachys aff. breviramosa Cowley
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
nature trail near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E, alt.
600 m, terrestrial herb in clump, leaves lightly
plicate, inflorescence/infructesence 20 cm
above the base, dorsal petal white, labellum
yellow, fruit red, 29 Mar. 2002 Poulsen 1652
(SAN); Agathis Camp, slope, alt. 500 m, 5 Apr.
2000, MB35 (SAN); trail from Agathis Camp
to Ginseng Camp, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW16
(BORH); trail from Ginseng Camp to Lobah
Camp, 7 Mar. 2005, ATW6 (BORH); around
Agathis Camp, 8 Mar. 2005, ATW49 (BORH);
around Ginseng Camp, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW7
(BORH).
This species is easily recognised as it is
bearing many small scapes in the main axis of
its inflorescences. It is flowering and fruiting
at one time. Many observed and collected
specimens at several localities in Sabah,
including the above collections, have ecristate
anther.
8.6 Plagiostachys aff. parva Cowley
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, alt. 400–500 m,
herb with root stock, flowers pink red, some
purplish tinged, 13 July 2001, Pereira et al.
SAN144354 (SAN); around Agathis Camp,
near stream, at slope with surrounding areas,
8 Mar. 2005, ATW43 (BORH).
Vegetatively, the specimens resembles to
that of P. parva but differs in its flower structure
as it lacks of anther crest or, if present, very
minute. Further collections from other areas in
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
Sabah is being carried out to determine whether
this character is only a variation within species
or represents a new taxa.
8.7 Plagiostachys aff. strobilifera R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Km 6, trail from Agathis Camp
to Ginseng Camp, alt. 560 m, 26 Feb. 2005,
ATW2 (BORH); around Ginseng Camp, 27
Feb. 2005, ATW3 (BORH); ex., 4 Mar. 2005,
ATW34 (BORH); trail from Ginseng Camp
to Camel Trophy, alt. 1000 m,1 Mar. 2005,
ATW21 (BORH).
The status of the specimen above is still
uncertain. At the moment, it is identified as
an affinity to P. strobilifera because of its
distinctly petiolate leaves and flower structure
resembles to a collection by Burtt & Martin
B4873 in Smith (1985).
8.8 Plagiostachys brevicalcarata Julius &
A.Takano
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, near to stream
bank at the entrance of nature trail, alt. 400500 m, 8 Mar. 2005, ATW50 (BORH).
Perrenial herb, up to 3.5 m tall. Lamina
ca. 90 × 10 cm, oblanceolate, glabrous on
upper surface except midrib, pubescent,
densely hairy below, base attenuate, apex
acuminate-caudate, ca. 2.5 cm long; petiole to
2.5 cm long, densely hairy on upper surface,
and sparsely beneath; leaf sheath glabrous;
ligule ca. 4 mm long, shortly bilobed, apex
rounded, ciliate. Infructescens 15–20 cm long,
3-branched, dorsal longer than lateral branch,
penetrate through leafy stem, ca. 10 cm from
ground level. Capsule glabrous, globose to
subglobose, dull green (mature).
This plant is widely distributed in Sabah.
A few other collections have been seen at
SAR (e.g. Hewit series 141 and Lai et al.
S7116). It can be found either in primary or
secondary forest. It resembles P. glandulosa
in its striate leaf sheath, petiolate leaves, and
glabrous, deep red immature fruit. However, P.
13
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
brevicalcarata can be distinguished by having
its lamina pubescence only on the lower
surface, and inflorescence branching to three.
8.9 Plagiostachys sp.1
Maliau Basin. Trail from Camel to Giluk
Waterfall, alt. 800 m, 3 Mar. 2005, ATW26
(BORH).
This plant is less than 1 m tall, leaves
narrowly elliptic, ca. 21 × 4 cm, acuminate
at apex, ca. 2.5 cm long, leaf base cuneate,
pubescent on both surface; petiole short less
than 1 cm, hairy; ligule bilobed, ca. 2 mm long,
hairy. Infructescence penetrates laterally ca.
12 cm above ground level. Immature capsule
apple green colour, glabrous and globose.
This plant resembles to P. albiflora in
its fruits colour, and being glabrous, but
the mucilaginous nature of its inflorescence
separates it from the latter species. Its
bracteoles structure, which is partially decay,
is similar to P. breviramosa, but specimen
ATW26 is unbranched, and the capsule is not
flask-shape.
Riedelieae W.J. Kress
The tribe Riedelieae that proposed by Kress
et al. (2002) encompasses five genera,
namely Burbidgea, Pleuranthodium, Riedelia,
Siamanthus and Siliquamomum. This tribe
shared the characteristics of Alpinieae, and
only differs in having fleshy rhizomes, the
presence of extrafloral nectarines on leaf
blades and the capsule is silique-like, opening
by longitudinal slits.
9. Burbidgea Hook.f.
Burbidgea is formerly placed under Alpinieae
and was transferred to Riedelieae recently. It
has fleshy rhizomes and silique-like capsule,
which is opening by longitudinal slits. This
genus is characterised by narrow labellum,
which held erect against the stamen, and the
flowers are plain yellow-orange, unmarked.
9.1 Burbidgea cf. schizocheila Hackett
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, on rotten tree
trunk over the river, alt. 480-500 m, herb,
slightly tufted, to 40 cm tall, fruits green, 13
July 2001, Pereira, Postar, De Wilde et al.
SAN144370 (SAN).
This plant is easily identified in its more
robust habit and distinctly petiolate leaves, as
compared to B. stenantha.
Zingibereae Meisn.
The genera embedded within the tribe
Zingibereae have plane distichy leaves that
are parallel to rhizome. It is distinguished
from Globbeae in having trilocular ovary with
axial, basal or free columnar placentation, and
labellum are usually not connate to filament.
10. Boesenbergia O. Kuntze
A small herb with shoots single to many, leaves
are characterised by two-ranked and arranged
bracts. According to Smith (1987) each bract
subtended single boat shape bracteole and
flower. The flowers bloom from apex to base,
and usually with a saccate labellum, never
flat.
10.1 Boesenbergia cf. pulchella (Ridl.) Merr.
Maliau Basin. Trail from Bambangan Camp
to Maliau Falls, 4º46’ N, 116º55’E, alt. 550
m, 6 Oct. 2000, Poulsen 1652 (SAN); 2.5 km
above Maliau Falls, G. Rara Reserved, mixed
dipterocarp forest over sandstone, alt. 530 m, 9
Apr. 1996, Hay 12037 (SAN); Ginseng Camp,
mixed dipterocarp forest, wet shaded area, alt.
630 m, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW9 (BORH).
Terrestrial herb, to 40 cm, tubers ca. 5 ×
2 cm. Lower sheath purple to speckled purple.
Petiole green, lamina obovate (broadest just
above the middle), plicate, plain green, base
unequally cordate, pale yellow, young leaves,
purplish tinged below. Fertile bracts green, no
flowers observed.
14
The specimen Hay 12037 is to 40 cm
tall as in Poulsen 1652 where the height is
reportedly very uncommon. Furthermore, the
solitary flower is white and red colour, while
petioles speckled dark red as opposed to green
in the latter. The specimen ATW9, however,
can reach to 60 cm tall, and all parts are green,
while the flowers are white with red at the tips
of labellum.
10.2 Boesenbergia aff. aurantiaca R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, flat area, alt. 300
m, 3 May 2000, Henry MB325 (SAN).
This plant resembles to Boesenbergia
aurantiaca from its yellow (or pale orange)
flowers, and the lamina is pubescence, with
long and pale brown hairs on both surfaces.
However, the hairs are sparsely distributed and
become denser on lower surface as opposed to
the velvety leaves of B. aurantica. Furthermore,
the petiole of the former is pubescence with
long sparsely hairs, a characteric which is not
found in the latter species.
10.3 Boesenbergia cf. parva R.M.Sm.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, virgin forest,
nature trail, near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E, alt.
600 m, 29 Mar. 2002, Poulsen 1833 (SAN).
This plant is closely resembles that of B.
parva in its small stature, less than 30 cm, the
elliptic (ca. 10 × 3 cm) and plain green leaves,
and the floral colour. Furthermore, its leaf
sheath is reddish which is similar to the latter
species. More materials are needed to confirm
the identity of this species.
10.4 Boesenbergia aff. parva R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Lake Linumunsut, 18 Oct. 2001,
Sidkan MB1066 (SAN).
In its small, glabrous, and elliptic
leaves, ca. 10 × 3 cm, this plant resembles
to Boesenbergia parva, but it has dark green
leaves, and longer petiole (5–8 cm long).
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
Specimen Sidkan MB1066 (SAN) is similar to
B. ornata by its longer ligule (1–1.5 cm long),
but it differs from the latter species by having
white flower, and the labellum is yellow
centrally and pink at base.
10.5 Boesenbergia aff. variegata R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Ginseng Camp, mixed
dipterocarp forest, 27 Feb. 2005, ATW8
(BORH).
The collection above grow in small
clump, ca. 15 cm tall, lamina dark green above
and purple underneath, lanceolate, corrugate.
This plant resembles B. variegata but the latter
species has more rounded leaf shape and less
purple on the lower surface.
10.6 Boesenbergia sp. 1
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, primary
dipterocarp forest, alt. 300 m, 12 July 2001,
Pereira, Postar, De Wilde et al. SAN151243
(SAN).
Tufted herb, up to 30 cm tall. Leaves ellipticoblanceolate, 22(–30) × 4 cm, pubescence
with scattered long hairs and become denser at
midrib on lower surface, glabrous above, acute
at apex, leaf base attenuate, darkish brown on
dry specimen. Inflorescence densely hairy on
the rachis and at base of bracteole; bracteole
narrowly elliptic, subtend only one flower, and
distichously arranged. Capsule oblong, 10 × 3
mm, sparsely long hairs, calyx remain above,
densely hairy around the base.
10.7 Boesenbergia sp. 2
Maliau Basin. 21 July 2000, MB386 & MB398
(SAN).
The collection above was formerly
identified as Alpinia fraseriana Oliv.
(Hazebroek et al., 2004) but renamed to
Boesenbergia here.
15
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
11. Hedychium J. König
Hedychium is a medium-sized gingers and
sometime epiphytic. The genus is well
distinguished by the many-flowered terminal
inflorescence, cylindrical with closely
imbricating bracts, narrow petals, bilobed
labellum and often long linear filament.
11.1 Hedychium cf. muluense R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. In the western part, entrance,
kerangas forest, alt. 890 m, 18 Mar. 2001,
Linus et al. MB824; 18 Aug. 2000, Linus et al.
MB557, MB581 & MB559 (SAN).
Epiphytic plant, to 30 cm tall. Leaves
four, sessile, leaf base attenuate and acute at
apex. Flowers yellow-orange.
11.2 Hedychium cf. cylindricum Ridl.
Maliau Basin. In the western part, near rim,
mossy forest, 15 Mar. 2001, Sidkan MB807;
Rafflesia Camp, forest ridge, alt. 515 m, 23 Apr.
2000, Edwards & Sidkan MB213 (SAN).
Epiphytic plant, to 25 cm tall. Leaves
elliptic, with petiole 0.5–4 cm long, ligule
1–2.5 cm long.
12. Scaphoclamys Baker
Scaphoclamys is characterised by spirally
arranged inflorescence, flowers in cincinni,
first bracteole lying directly opposite the bract,
and the anther thecae free at the base.
12.1 Scaphochlamys cf.
Schum.) R.M. Sm.
petiolata
(K.
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, riverine forest,
shaded near rotten wood, alt. 250 m, 15
July 2001, Postar, Ubaldus, De Wilde et al.
SAN144129 (SAN).
This collection is distinctly petiolate and
have elliptic-shaped leaves, making it fit to S.
petiolata. The white-flower form with a red
inside throat, differentiate it from Ibrahim’s
collection, HI501 from Tawau Hills Park,
which has white petals with yellow in the
midlobe of labellum. More collections are
needed to clarify the status of this species.
13. Zingiber Mill.
Zingiber is a monophyletic group (Kress et al.,
2002), which produces radical inflorescence
and characterised by having pulvinus petiole
and anther crest wrapped around the exerted
style.
13.1 Zingiber coloratum N.E. Br.
Maliau Basin. Lake Linumunsut, alt. 440 m,
24 Oct. 2001, Jeprin et al. MB1091 (SAN).
This species is ca. 0.5 m tall, ca. 4 leaves
per shoot, elliptic, pubescent on lower surface,
glabrous above, apex pungent, leaf base
cuneate. Inflorescence elongate to 15 cm long
and red colour. Flowers white and fruits red.
13.2 Zingiber cf. puberulum Ridl. var.
borneense R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Camel Trophy, alt. 910m, 2
Mar. 2005, ATW22 (BORH); trail to Giluk
Waterfall, ATW27 (BORH); trail from Agathis
Camp to Camel Trophy, mountainous top
ridge, alt. 1005 m, 8 Apr. 2000, Henry &
Sidkan MB66 (SAN).
This plant is reaching to 1.8 m tall, and
bearing one or two inflorescences per shoot.
Leafy stem, small in diameter, pubescent
with dense hairs, ligule shortly bilobe, ca.
3 mm long, pubescent. Leaves ca. 12 pairs
per shoot, narrowly oblong to lanceolate, ca.
25 × 4 cm, apex pungent, leaf base cuneate,
pubescent below surface, ciliate along margin.
Inflorescences ca. 13 cm long, fusiform,
purple-pink, bracts pubescent in the margin.
16
13.3 Zingiber sp. 1
Maliau Basin. Around Ginseng Camp, shady,
damp, surrounding areas, alt. 610 m, 27 Feb.
2005, ATW5 (BORH).
Terrestrial herb, 80-90 cm tall, rhizome
purle-blue. Leaves ca. 5 per shoot, glabrous
and shiny on upper surface, pubescence below,
apex pungent, leaf base cuneate, sessile.
Sheath distinctly bearing densely straw-colour
hairs, pulvinus also pubescence. This plant has
longer ligule, to 5 cm, membranous, brittle and
lobe ca. 1 cm. Inflorescence radical, to 25 cm
long, sterile, bracts hairy, pink.
Globbeae Meisn.
The tribe Globbeae is characterised by
unilocular ovary with parietal placentation,
and labellum is often connate to filament in a
slender tube.
14. Globba L.
The genus Globba is easily distinguished by
having flower with lip joined to the stamen
and long exserted, curved stamen. The anther,
with either one or two triangular appendages
along either margin, is a diagnostic character
of this genus.
14.1 Globba atrosangiunea Teijsm. & Binn.
Maliau Basin. Lake Linumunsut, slope, alt. 440
m, 0.5 m tall, flower red, 18 Oct. 2001, Jeprin
et al. MB1046 (SAN); Agathis Camp, virgin
forest, trail near camp, 4º42’ N, 116º54’E, alt.
600 m, epiphyte on log, bracts red, flowers
orange yellow, 29 Mar. 2002 (SAN); Agathis
Camp, flat area, alt. 500 m, 5 Apr. 2000, Jeprin
et al. MB44 (SAN); MB706 (SAN); 18 Aug.
2000, MB571 (SAN); Pakis Camp, upper
dipterocarp, alt. 800 m, 0.5 m tall, flower red
and yellow, 15 Mar. 2001, Linus et al. MB760
(SAN).
Globba atrosangiunea is easily recognised
from its broad brilliant red bracts and yellow-
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
orange flowers. It occurs throughout Borneo
and Sumatra.
14.2 Globba franciscii Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Lake Linumunsut, slope, alt.
440 m, herb 0.5 m tall, flower yellow, 18
Oct. 2001, Henry et al. MB1047 & MB1050
(SAN); ex., 18 Aug. 2000, MB574 & MB576
(SAN).
This species is easily recognised by having
long cincinni inflorescence, yellow-orange
flower, anther appendages spreading from the
middle of thecae, deeply bilobed labellum,
long cucullate dorsal petal and the glabrous,
lanceolate-caudate leaves.
14.3 Globba pendula Roxb.
Maliau Basin. Rafflesia Camp, near the river,
alt. 500 m, 0.5 m tall, flower orange, fruit
green, 26 Apr. 2000, Ming & Sidkan MB257
(SAN); Corridor Greek, near river, alt. 500
m, flowers orange, 25 Apr.2000, Edward
& Sidkan MB253 (SAN); Belian Camp,
secondary forest, relatively intact, close to
small rocky stream, 4º45’ N, 116º58’E, alt.
250 m, terrestrial herb, alt. 0.7 m, flowers
yellow, 27 Oct. 2001, Poulsen 1814 (SAN);
Lake Linumunsut, valley, alt. 440 m, 23 Oct.
2001, Sidkan MB1055 (SAN); trail to Giluk
Waterfall, near stream, on slope, shaddy and
damp place, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW12 (BORH).
This species is common to Borneo. It has
orange-yellow flower, often with a dark spot
at base of labellum. The specimen ATW12’s
inflorescence is not elongated as in the typical
G. pendula; this character is similar to other
collections from Danum (Smith, 1988).
14.4 Globba propinqua Ridl.
Maliau Basin. Agathis Camp, near the river,
flat area, alt. 500 m, 1 m tall, flower yellow,
5 Apr. 2000, Henry & Sidkan MB16 (SAN);
around Ginseng Camp, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW11
(BORH).
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
This species resembles to G. atrosangiunea
in having two appendages on each side of
the anther, but G. propinqua differs from the
latter by its green bracts, much longer lateral
staminodes and more deeply lobed labellum.
14.5 Gobba tricolor var. gibbsiae R.M. Sm.
Maliau Basin. Pakis Camp, upper dipterocarp,
alt. 810 m, 15 Mar. 2001, Webb MB442 (SAN);
trail to Giluk Waterfall, on ridge, surrounding
areas, 28 Feb. 2005, ATW18 (BORH).
This variety is easily identified by its white
flower with bright yellow-orange labellum and
anther.
14.6 Globba sp.
Maliau Basin. Belian Camp, damp forest, near
stream, alt. 300 m, herb 40 cm tall, flowers
orange and fruits light green, 11 July 2001,
Pereira et al., SAN151218 (SAN).
DISCUSSION
In this survey, the tribe Alpinieae is well
represented, with 45 species, including two
new records for Borneo, namely Elettariopsis
smithiae var. rugosa and Hornstedtia
scyphifera var. fusiformis, and three possibly
undescribed species. This is followed by
the tribe Zingibereae, with 13 spesies from
four genera. Tribe Riedelieae and Globbeae
are represented by only one and six species,
respectively. About 78% of the collected taxa
have so far been identified to species, and about
21% or 14 species are only to genus level.
There are many unidentified species in
our list, either due to insufficient materials
for identification such as flowers or some
of their characteristics did not fit to any of
the described species. These specimens are
believed to be new to science. Although many
systematic studies have been conducted for
gingers in Borneo (e.g., Smith 1985, 1986,
1988, 1989, 1990; Cowley 1998, 1999; Ibrahim
17
1992, 1995; Sakai & Nagamasu 1998, 2000a,
2000b, 2003; Poulsen, Mood & Ibrahim 1999;
Takano et al. 2003, 2004; Gobilik et al. 2003,
2004, 2005; Julius et al. 2005), there are still
many species that remain undescribed, and yet
to be documented particularly in Sabah and
Kalimantan.
Compared to other areas in Borneo, e.g.,
Danum Valley (11 genera and c. 36 spp.,
Magintan 2000), Tabin Wildlife Reserve (13
genera and ca. 46 spp., Gobilik 2002), Mt.
Kinabalu (12 genera and ca. 58 spp., Beaman &
Beaman 1998, Smith 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990), Mt. Mulu (15 genera and c. 50
spp., Smith 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987), Crocker
Range (12 genera and ca. 51 spp., Takano et
al. 2004, Julius et al. 2005), Lambir Hills (11
genera and ca. 44 spp., Sakai & Nagamasu
1998, 2000a, 2000b, 2003, Nagamasu &
Sakai 1996) and Kayan Mentarang (11 genera
and ca. 34 spp., Takano et al. 2003), with 66
species, Maliau Basin yields higher number
of gingers. This number make up to 44%
and 32% of the Zingiberaceae in Sabah and
Borneo, respectively.
Some important genera collected are
Elettariopsis, Etlingera, Hornstedtia and
Plagiostachys. The genus Elettariopsis is well
distributed in Peninsular Malaysia with five
known species. Elettariopsis curtisii Baker
is the first record of this genus in Borneo.
Elettaiopsis smithiae var. rugosa, which is
originally described from Penang, was also
found during the present study. So far, four
species of Elettariopsis are known from
Borneo. Elettariopsis aff. kerbyi, one of our
collections is remarkably similar to the type of
E. kerbyi, but differs in having longer petiole
which is not reported by Smith (1990). This
indicates further material is needed to decide
if the specimen above is within the variation of
E. kerbyi’s or represents a new taxa. It is likely
that there are more species to be described and
documented in the study area.
18
Currently, there are 12 species of
Hornstedtia described from Borneo. However
this number will increase soon as there are
over five species from Sabah that are waiting
to be described. Interestingly, H. scyphifera
var. fusiformis, which is formerly known
only from Peninsular Malaysia is also found
in Maliau Basin. This species might be
distributed in other parts of Sabah, Sarawak
and Kalimantan.
Etlingera, on the other hand, represents
the second largest genus of Bornean gingers
with 40 known species after Amomum (41
spp.). Sabah is less studied for the genus as
compared to Sarawak and Brunei. Another
species, E. inundata, which is originally
described from Sarawak is a second report for
Sabah. While, E. brachychila has a potential
to be an ornamental plant as its brilliant red
flowers and the red-purple colouration beneath
the leaves are an attraction for every ginger
enthusiast. At Agathis Camp itself, it has
been planted around the hut together with
several species such as Amomum coriaceum,
Plagiostachys strobilifera, P. brevicalcarata
and P. sp.1 either planted or grow naturally.
Ginseng Camp is a new site in MBCA,
which was opened for research purposes. The
vegetation in that area is mainly dipterocarps.
We found that Plagiostachys dominates in such
a huge area within a short walking distance
at this site, with three common species, i.e.
P. parva, P. aff. strobilifera and P. sp. 1. It
is also common along the trails system in all
the sites. The same condition was observed
in intact forests, such as Danum Valley and
Ulu Nalumad, Poring. Zingiberaceae is the
most important family contributing to ground
herbs (Magintan et al., 1999). The species
number of Plagiostachys in Maliau Basin is
almost equivalent to other areas, e.g. Crocker
Range (eight spp.) or Danum (seven spp.), but
the species composition between the areas is
significantly different. The common species
found in the study area is similar to that
ZINGIBERACEAE OF MALIAU BASIN
found throughout Borneo, i.e. P. albiflora, P.
strobilifera and P. aff. breviramosa.
Scaphochlamys, with 30 described
species, only has six known species in
Borneo. Sarawak and Brunei are the centre of
distribution of this genus with a record of five
species. Scaphochlamys petiolata is the only
species found in Tawau Hills Park by Ibrahim
(1992). Another specimen (SAN No. 144129),
collected from Belian Camp is fairly similar to
S. petiolata in having elliptic-shaped leaves and
distinctly petiolate. However, the species was
not verified due to limited collection available.
Furthermore, there is no spirit collection of
the inflorescence so identification was solely
based on herbarium labels.
CONCLUSION
This preliminary study has listed 65 species
in 14 genera of Zingiberaceae from the
Maliau Basin Conservation Area. Among
the collection, there are several unidentified
species that could be new to science. Further
studies are needed in order to understand
clearly the diversity of gingers in this area.
There are two important conclusions that
can be drawn from this study: (1) Maliau
Basin has a high number of ginger species as
compared to other areas in Borneo. (2) Based
on observation, the diversity of Etlingera and
Plagiostachys from Maliau Basin are closely
related to Sarawak, rather than the western part
of Sabah. It is interesting to pursue a study on
their geographical relationships in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the expedition
organisers, UMS, JICA and YS, who allowed
this study to be conducted. We also thank the
curator of SAN for allowing us to examine
their specimens of gingers. Finally, we would
like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr.
A. D. Poulsen for identifying the Etlingera
specimens.
AVELINAH JULIUS ET AL.
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