Juncus batrachium Veldk., 2014

Veldkamp, J. F., 2014, A new species of Juncus (Juncaceae) from Mt Kinabalu, Sabah - recent speciation after long-distance dispersal, Blumea 59 (2), pp. 142-143 : 142

Juncus batrachium Veldk. , sp. nov.

Junco bufonio similissimus, tepalis exterioribus multo longioribus (8.25–20 mm contra 3–8 mm),antheris filamentis 1–1.8-plo longioribus (contra 0.25–1) differt. — Typus: M . Hotta 3905 (holo L; KYO).

Eponymy. Because of its similarity to J. bufonius , the epithet is the Greek equivalent: ‘belonging to little frogs’ (βΑΤΡΑΧΙΟν) and is a name in apposition not to be declined. Juncus ranarius Nees ex Songeon & E.P. Perrier (1860) was already published.

Annuals, 0.06–0.4 m long, glabrous. Rhizome and stolons absent. Culms tufted, branching intra-vaginally at base, with many narrow close-set ribs (i.s.), marrow not interrupted, rooting at the decumbent nodes and producing new tufts. Basal sheaths dull, brown; blades flat, not septate, 2 –8.5 cm by 0.3–0.8 mm; cauline leaf blades flat, 4–26 cm by 0.3–0.9 mm. Inflorescences terminal, few-flowered. Flowers solitary or paired. Bract present; bracteoles 2. Pedicels 0.75–1.5 mm long. Tepals unequal, brown; outer ones falcately curved, 8.25–20 mm long; inner ones 5.25–7.5 mm long. Stamens 6; anthers 0.9–1.3 mm long, 1–1.8 times as long as the filaments. Capsules 3–5 mm long, 0.33–0.6 times as long as the outer tepals. Seeds 0.3–0.5 mm long.

Distribution — Only known from Mt Kinabalu, Sabah.

Habitat — Disturbed areas near tourist huts, 3200–3810 m altitude.

Specimens seen. Hotta 3905 (KYO,L),between Carson’s Camp and Panalaban (Panar Laban), 2700–3400 m, 16 Jan. 1969; Rao et al. 88 (SINU), Mt Kinabalu, 3810 m, 15 June 1976; Salick et al. 9023 (K),Laban Ratu, 3265 m (in Beaman & Beaman 1998:141, as ‘Panar Laban’), 2 Oct.1997; Smith , J.M.B. s.n. (K, KLU), Panar Laban, 3350 m ( Veldkamp 1982: 25; Wilson & Johnson 2001: 373), 12 Aug. 1967; Smith , J.M.B. 464 (KLU, L), Panar Laban, 3300 m, ( Veldkamp 1982: 26), 28 July 1978; Smith , J.M.B. 520 (KLU, L), Sayat-sayat Hut, 3670 m, ( Veldkamp 1982:26), 29 July 1978; SNP 2249 (Phillipps) (SNP), Panar Laban, 5 Aug. 1986.

Note — In Malesia, J. bufonius has been reported by Merrill (1922: 201: Merrill 7794) for Mt Santo Thomas, Benguet, Luzon, Philippines, at 1900 m along bridle trails in mossy forest. He was followed by later authors, e.g. Backer (1951) and Kirschner (2002). This collection was presumably lost in PNH, but duplicates are in BM and K according to Wilson & Johnson (2001: 374). The absence of later records suggests that the species has not persisted.