Friesodielsia lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku, 2023

Damthongdee, Anissara, Khunarak, Natthanon, Kaeokula, Suphaloek, Saengpho, Chanwut, Wiya, Chattida, Ue-aree, Phasit, Baka, Abdulromea, Aongyong, Kithisak & Chaowasku, Tanawat, 2023, Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand, Willdenowia 53 (1), pp. 45-55 : 50-51

Friesodielsia lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku , sp. nov. – Fig. 2–4 .

Holotype: Thailand, Narathiwat Province, Chanae District, May 2022 [in flower], Aongyong & Baka 57 ( CMUB [barcode CMUB003997901 ]; isotypes: B, CMUB, QBG).

Diagnosis — Friesodielsia lalisae is most morphologically similar to F. argentea and F. glauca . The new species differs from these two species by having a different sepal shape, longer inner petals and a higher proportion of inner petal to outer petal length. Furthermore, F. lalisae differs from F. argentea by having an obtuse to rounded (vs usually cuneate) leaf base and from F. glauca by having denser indumentum on young twigs and shorter flowering pedicels.

Description (square brackets indicate measurements from spirit material) — Woody climbers; young twigs tomentose with erect and appressed hairs. Petiole 3–5 mm long, tomentose with erect and appressed hairs, slightly grooved above; leaf blade chartaceous, 7.7–16.2 × 2.8–5.8 cm, elliptic to elliptic-obovate, seldom obovate, puberulous-tomentose with erect and appressed hairs above, puberulous-tomentose with erect hairs below, base obtuse to rounded, apex ± cuspidate, acute to acute-acuminate, rarely obtuse or rounded; midrib slightly sunken above, tomentose with mostly erect hairs, raised below, puberulous-tomentose with erect and appressed hairs; secondary veins prominent below, 12–15 per side, angle with midrib 37°–46° (at middle part of leaf blade). Flowers solitary, terminal developing to internodal, fragrant in vivo; pedicel 9–10 mm long, curly-tomentose, bearing 1 bract near pedicel midpoint (but a bit lower), ovate-triangular. Sepals free, [3–3.1 × 4.5–4.6] mm, transversely ovate, without visible veins on both sides, outside curly-tomentose on basal half, more sparsely so on apical half, margin curly-tomentose, inside tomentose with appressed hairs only near margin, remaining area glabrous. Petals ± yellow in vivo; outer petals 34 [46–47] × 6 [8] mm, narrowly ovate-triangular, outside puberulous-tomentose with mostly appressed hairs, margin tomentose with appressed hairs, inside glabrous, each outer petal with an excavation on ± basal half, apex of outer petals ± acute; inner petals 19 [23–25] × [5–5.5] mm, narrowly ovate, c. ½ as long as outer petals, outside puberulous with appressed hairs only along bilateral midline, remaining area glabrous, margin and inside glabrous, apex acute. Torus depressed subglobose, villous intermixed with tomentose (both with erect hairs) on area surrounding each carpel. Stamens c. 132 per flower, [1.5–2.1] mm long, connective apex ± truncate or with a slanted prolongation, covering thecae. Carpels c. 22 per flower, [2.6–3.8] mm long; stigmas ± elongated and irregular-shaped; ovaries villous with mostly appressed hairs; ovule 1 per ovary, basal. Fruit unknown.

Phenology and ecology — Flowering material was collected in May. The species appears to grow near streams in secondary forests adjacent to rubber-tree plantations at an elevation of c. 90 m.

Distribution — Endemic to Narathiwat, S Thailand.

Preliminary conservation assessment — So far, Friesodielsia lalisae is only known to occur in secondary forests adjacent to rubber-tree plantations. Its habitat is highly threatened by agricultural activities. Only two individuals in a single location were observed, one of which has been cut recently. The AOO (area of occupancy) based on this single location is estimated to be less than 10 km 2. Although more exploratory data seem crucial, we believe the category Critically Endangered: CR B 2ab(iii) based on IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee (2022) is appropriate for now and any conservation effort should be immediately initiated.

Etymology — The new species is named in honour of Lalisa Manobal, a famous Thai rapper, singer and dancer, whose motivation has greatly inspired the first author to overcome any obstacles during her Ph.D. study.

Figures

Fig. 2. Flower and floral organs of Friesodielsia lalisae – A: flower with one outer petal removed showing connivent inner petals; B: adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) sides of outer petal; C: adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) sides of inner petal; D: flower with petals, stamens and carpels removed showing adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) sides of sepals; E: flower with outer petals and one inner petal removed showing stamens surrounding carpels; F: flower with petals and stamens removed showing carpels and torus (side view); G: stamen, adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) sides; H: carpel. –All from Aongyong & Baka 57 (CMUB – spirit material).

Fig. 3. Holotype of Friesodielsia lalisae: Aongyong & Baka 57 (CMUB).

Fig. 4. Friesodielsia lalisae – A: flower bud; B: flower at anthesis; both from Aongyong & Baka 57 (CMUB). – Photographs taken at type locality: Thailand, Narathiwat Province, Chanae District, May 2022, by A. Baka.