23/03/2024
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓
𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙠
Distribution/habitat: Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Endemic: Yes
Distinctive traits: 𝘉𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘬 grows on shady, moist, rocky slopes alongside a small creek in Bujon, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The new species resembles 𝘉𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 in having smooth and glossy stems, membranous, shiny leaves, oblong to oblanceolate lamina, acuminate apex, and a green o***y with pink wings. However, it is distinct in having short stems, broadly ovate stipules, leaves with acute bases and serrated margins, and capsule wings with slashed or jagged margins. 𝘉. 𝘢𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘬 has been observed to bloom and fruit during the months of April to June.
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Described by: Freddie Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Danilo Tandang, and Rosario Rubite
Etymology: Its species name, 𝘢𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘬, comes from the Bisayan/Cebuano word for “sliced” or “slashed,” referring to the margin of the capsule wings.
There are numerous medicinal plants and endemic species in the province of Surigao del Sur in southern Mindanao, but limited data on their identification and conservation are available. Discoveries and descriptions like this not only help fill the knowledge gap, but may also inspire other researchers to study these native plants.
Reference:
https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/webbia/article/view/15356