Taxonomic studies of Araceae in Myanmar IX: Sauromatum hetterscheidii sp. nov. (Aroideae)
TL;DR
The discovery of S. hetterscheidii highlights the exceptional botanical significance of Myanmar’s limestone karsts as centres of narrowly endemic plant diversity and emphasizes their continued importance for botanical exploration and conservation.
Abstract
Sauromatum Schott (Araceae: Areae) is a small genus of geophytic aroids distributed from tropical Africa to Southeast Asia. During botanical exploration of the Permian limestone karsts of Hpa-an Township, Kayin State, Myanmar, an unusual species of Sauromatum was discovered. Detailed morphological comparisons with all currently recognized species, together with examination of type material and relevant taxonomic literature, confirmed that it represents a species new to science, here described as S. hetterscheidii K.Z.Hein & Naive. The new species is readily distinguished by its staminate zone being approximately twice as long as the sterile interstice, a character unique within the genus. A complete taxonomic treatment is provided, including a detailed morphological description, comparisons with morphologically similar species, coloured plates to aid identification, notes on its distribution and ecology as well as a preliminary conservation assessment. The discovery of S. hetterscheidii highlights the exceptional botanical significance of Myanmar’s limestone karsts as centres of narrowly endemic plant diversity and emphasizes their continued importance for botanical exploration and conservation.