Ficus talbotii King

Chantarasuwan, B., Sungkaew, S., Pruesapan, K., Baas, P. & Welzen, P. C. van, 2019, Ficus pongumphaii (Moraceae), a new species from Thailand, compared with the ambiguous species F. talbotii, Blumea 64 (2), pp. 108-114 : 114

Ficus talbotii King — Fig. 3a 1, b1, c1, d1 , 4a 1, b1

Material studied. M. F. Newman, T. Boonthavikoon, C. Hemrat, D. J. Middleton 1148; M. Nur SFN34388; T. C. Whitmore (KEP) FRI 15633 (see above for localities).

Surface view — Indumentum present, consisting of ellipsoid-capitate glandular hairs with 1- or 2-celled heads and simple septate and non-septate hairs abundant on the petiole. Cuticle smooth. Anticlinal walls straight on both surfaces. Radiating epidermal cells around lithocysts 5–8 on both surfaces. Stomata actinocytic to anomocytic, 25–28 µm long and 17–25 µm wide; giant stomata 30–38 µm long and 25–30 µm wide.

Transverse section — Cuticle 2–4 µm thick above the lamina, c. 4 µm above midrib and marginally 5–8 µm thick. Epidermis multi-layered on both sides, cells in outer layer smaller than in the inner layer. Stomata level with epidermis, inner and outer cuticular ledges present. Enlarged lithocysts present in comparable frequencies on both sides. Mesophyll dorsiventral; silicified cell groups present, especially in mesophyll. Palisade 2-layered. Midrib with two opposing arcs surrounded by fibre caps; subepidermal ground tissue sclerified abaxially. Petiole with a cylinder of separate bundles with fibre cap; peripheral ground tissue not sclerified. Pith bundles present in midrib and petiole. Veins vertically transcurrent; minor veins embedded in mesophyll. Marginal sclerenchyma strands absent. Druses present in mesophyll, the bundle sheaths around the veins, ground tissue parenchyma and phloem parenchyma of midrib and petiole; prismatic crystals (partly in cristarque cells) present in periphery of the bundle sheaths above and below the veins and in the parenchyma of midrib and petiole.

Figures

Fig. 3 Cross sections and cuticular macerations of the leaf laminas of Ficus talbotii King (left column) and Ficus pongumphaii Chantaras. & Sungkaew (right column). a1. Leaf margin without indumentum of F. talbotii; a2. leaf margin with indumentum of F. pongumphaii; b1. lamina of F. talbotii showing multi-layered epidermis on both sides and enlarged lithocysts on both surfaces; b2. lamina of F. pongumphaii showing multi-layered epidermis on both sides and enlarged lithocysts adaxially; c1. abaxial cuticular maceration of F. talbotii showing few hairs (black arrows); c2. abaxial cuticular maceration of F. pongumphaii showing many hairs; d1. petiole of F. talbotii with few hairs; d2. petiole of F. pongumphaii with an abundant hairs (a1, b1, d1: M. Nur SFN 34388, L; a2, b2, c2: R. Pooma et al. 3820, L; c1: M.F. Newman et al. 1148, L; d2: B. Chantarasuwan 180910-4, THNHM). — Photos by Bhanumas Chantarasuwan.

Fig. 1 Ficus pongumphaii Chantaras. & Sungkaew. a. Twig with leaves and figs; b. figs; c. fig in longitudinal section; d. staminate flower; e. stamen; f. sessile pistillate flower; g. pedicelled pistillate flower (B. Chantarasuwan 180910-4, THNHM). — Drawing: Pajaree Inthachup, 2015.

Fig. 4 Free hand paradermal leaf surfaces of Ficus talbotii King (left column) and Ficus pongumphaii Chantaras. & Sungkaew (right column). a1. Abaxial paradermal leaf surface of F. talbotii showing radiating epidermal cells around lithocysts (black arrows); a2. abaxial paradermal leaf surface of F. pongumphaii showing a few radiating epidermal cells around lithocysts (black arrows) and abundant hairs; b1. adaxial paradermal leaf surface of F. talbotii showing radiating epidermal cells around lithocysts (black arrows) and no indumentum; b2. adaxial paradermal leaf surface of F. pongumphaii showing radiating epidermal cells around lithocysts (black arrows) (a1, b1: M.F. Newman et al. 1148, L; a2, b2: P. Palee 278, L). — Photos by Bhanumas Chantarasuwan.