Breynia longistyla Welzen & Esser, 2022

Esser, H. - J., Stuppy, W. H. & Welzen, P. C. van, 2022, Three new species and several typifications of Breynia (Phyllanthaceae) from Malesia, Blumea 67 (2), pp. 132-138 : 132-135

1. Breynia longistyla Welzen & Esser , sp. nov. — Fig. 1

Typical is the well-developed style splitting into 3 infolding stigmas on top. Staminate flowers with coriaceous sepals,scales present and stamens vertically united. — Type: SAN ( J. B. Sugau, S. Dauni, L. Kuntil, S. Lideh) 149532 (holo L [ L 0784438 ]), Malaysia, Sabah, Pensiangan , Sapulut F. R., Gunong Maliat , N4°23' E116°57', alt. 1437 m, 21 Nov. 2006 .

Small tree, c. 5 m high, monoecious. Indumentum of simple hairs and asperities (hard papillae). Stem with asperities. Stipules triangular, 4–5 mm long, (early to) late caducous. Leaves distichous; petiole 2 –3 mm long, U-shaped in transverse section, with asperities; blade ovate-elliptic, 3.5–5 by 1.3–1.8 cm, 2.8–3 times as long as wide, symmetric, base (acute to) obtuse, margin entire, apex acute to subacuminate, surfaces without glands, drying blackish; venation distinct, pinnate, side veins in 6 –7 pairs, looped and closed near margin, midrib above with asperities, veinlets reticulate. Inflorescences bisexual, axillary fascicles of single to several bracteate flowers; bracts shorter than stipules, triangular, margin erose. Flowers actinomorphic, pedicellate, erect; calyx urceolate, 6-lobed, imbricate; petals, disc and pistillode absent. Staminate flowers: pedicel c. 1.2 mm long; calyx coriaceous, lobes short, with internal scale at lobe insertion that closes immature flower; stamens 3, united into central vertical androphore, anthers along androphore opening with extrorse lengthwise split, 2-thecate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel c. 1 mm long; calyx persistent, fused for c. 1 mm, lobes c. 0.25 mm long, distinct; ovary short-cylindrical, 3-locular, apically flat; style long, splitting into 3 stigmas, latter folded inward. Fruits capsules; calyx c. 2.5 mm diam, with free lobes 0.4–0.5 mm long; capsules c. 4 by 4.5 mm, subglobose, dehiscent in upward direction, smooth, glabrous, thin-walled and woody when dry, red; style c. 1 mm long, stigmas 0.2–0.3 mm long. Seeds c. 3.3 by 2 mm, sharply trigonous, smooth, with yellow to reddish sarcotesta.

Distribution — Only known from the type from North Borneo (Sabah).

Habitat & Ecology — Primary montane rainforest, hill slope.

Flowering and fruiting: November.

Note — Though not phylogenetically analysed, the species is part of Breynia subg. Breynia sect. Breynia , because of the dark colour of the dried leaves, the structure of the stamens and the short stigmas. Very typical for this species and unique in the genus is the long style. The fact that the stigmas are infolded and short is likely indicative that this species is moth pollinated like most other species in section Breynia .

Figures

Fig. 1 Breynia longistyla Welzen & Esser. a. Habit; b. upper leaf surface with asperities; c. lower leaf surface; d. leaf apex; e. fascicle with staminate and pistillate flower; f. stipule; g. bract; h. staminate flower with part of calyx removed showing androecium; i. staminate flower; j. pistillate flower; k. pistillate flower with part of calyx removed showing gynoecium; l. stigmas; m. fruit; n. dehiscing fruit opening especially septicidally; o. seed in side view; p. seed in front view (all: after SAN (J.B. Sugau, S. Dauni, L. Kuntil, S. Lideh) 149532, L). — Illustration by Esmée Winkel, 2020.