New Herb Species Discovered in Malaysia

Posted on July 10, 2013

A new species of perennial herb has been described from Peninsular Malaysia. Ridleyandra chuana is endemic to the region and only known from two small forest populations. Ridleyandra chuana has a woody usually unbranched stem crowned by an asymmetrical rosette of dark green leaves covered in fine hairs. The cone-like flowers are white with dark maroon purple stripes. The herb grows on moss-covered granite rock embedded in soil or on low moss-covered granite boulders.

Although the species is only formally being described now, it was first encountered as early as 1932 at Fraser's Hill, Pahang. However, it was only in 1999 when another population was discovered by L.S.L. Chua on Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang, that enough material was available for it to be described. The conservation status of Ridleyandra chuana is assessed as Endangered due to its restricted distribution. The new species is described and illustrated in the open access journal PhytoKeys.

Dr. Ruth Kiew, the author of this study, said in a statement, "The population at Fraser's Hill falls within a Totally Protected Area and consists of about 30 plants that grow in an undisturbed site away from tourist trails and is too remote to be affected by development. The other population consists of less than 100 plants at Gunung Ulu Kali, which is on private land in a hill resort that is severely threatened by road widening and associated landslips, by changes in microclimate due to edge effect as the forest becomes more and more fragmented and that is in danger of encroachment from future development. The chances of this latter population surviving is very slim. On the other hand, the rediscovery of the Fraser's Hill population after a hundred years illustrates the resilience of species to survive if the habitat remains undisturbed."

PLANTS