Orophea chalermprakiat, a new species in the subgenus Sphaerocarpon

NEWS - Researchers have described a new species of Orophea chalermprakiat growing in southern Thailand. A team of researchers from Chiang Mai University, Songkhla Rajabhat University, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, National Park Innovation Institute and several other organisations reported the new species in the subgenus Sphaerocarpon.

Orophea Blume (1825) consists of about 62 species distributed collectively in India, southern China, the islands of Southeast Asia to the Moluccas. The genus is a member of the Miliuseae, which has been subdivided into two subgenera: Orophea and Sphaerocarpon.

Members of O. subg. Orophea generally have alternate tertiary leaf venation and cylindrical-ellipsoidal to cylindrical monocarps, whereas members of O. subg. Sphaerocarpon generally exhibit reticulate tertiary leaf venation and rounded monocarps. At least eight species in Thailand.

The genus is mainly characterized by whorls of unequal petals, the inner petals are usually longer, clawed towards the base and usually fused at the anthesis. There are a reduced number of stamens and carpels per flower and the stamens are loosely arranged with small connective extensions that do not cover the thecae. Most Orophea species have various forms of glands in the inner petals.

At least eight species in Thailand. Members of O. subg. Orophea generally have alternate tertiary leaf venation and cylindrical-ellipsoidal to cylindrical monocarps, whereas members of O. subg. Sphaerocarpon generally exhibit reticulate tertiary leaf venation and rounded monocarps.

Original research

Anissara Damthongdee, Kithisak Chanthamrong, Suwannee Promsiri, Banchong Tongsang, Thani Jaisamut, Chattida Wiya, Aroon Sinbumroong, & Tanawat Chaowasku (2024). Orophea chalermprakiat (Annonaceae; Malmeoideae), a new species from southern Thailand. Phytotaxa 658 (3): 296-300. DOI:10.11646/phytotaxa.658.3.8

Crested blue ear (Cyanotis cristata)

Crested blue ear ( Cyanotis cristata ) is a species of plant in the Commelinaceae, a fleshy and strong herb, growing as a vine. Leaves 8 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, oblong, rounded or heart-shaped base, blunt or pointed tip, sparsely ciliated at the edge; sheath loose, up to 8 mm long, scaly. C. cristata has flowers 6-7 mm in diameter. Calyx tube 2 mm long, lobes 2-2.5 mm long, hairy. Corolla pale blue to purple, 6 mm long. Stamen filaments bearded, purple. Ovary rounded, hairy at the apex. Capsules 2-3 mm long, ovate. Seeds about 1 mm long, trigonous, 2 large holes on either side. This species grows in grasslands, degraded forest areas, wastelands, waterways and roadsides. C. cristata is found in wet rocky areas, moist soils, grasslands, ravines and riverbanks. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Liliopsida Order: Commelinales Family: Commelinaceae Subfamily: Commelinoideae Tribe: Tradescantieae Genus: Cyanotis Species: Cyanotis cristata

Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Broad-leaved dock ( Rumex obtusifolius ) is a species of plant in the Polygonaceae, herbaceous perennial, growing broadly, up to 150 cm tall, large, oval-shaped leaves with a heart-shaped base and rounded tip, large taproot with many branches extending to a depth of 150 cm. R. obtusifolius has leaves up to 30 cm long, 15 cm wide and green. Stems are long, hard, alternate, green or reddish in color and unbranched until just below the inflorescence. A main vein in the middle and green or reddish in color. Flat or wavy surface. The inflorescences consist of large clusters of racemes that contain small, greenish flowers that turn red as they mature. Seeds are reddish brown and dry. Broad-leaved dock grows in fertile soils, grasslands, waste lands, roadsides, ditches, coastlines and riverbanks, forest margins, forest clearing and agricultural land. The leaves are used as a salad to make vegetable broth or cooked like spinach. Dried seeds are used as a spice. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tr...

Thomas Sutikna lives with Homo floresiensis

BLOG - On October 28, 2004, a paper was published in Nature describing the dwarf hominin we know today as Homo floresiensis that has shocked the world. The report changed the geographical landscape of early humans that previously stated that the Pleistocene Asia was only represented by two species, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens . The report titled "A new small-bodied hominin from the Late Pleistocene of Flores, Indonesia" written by Peter Brown and Mike J. Morwood from the University of New England with Thomas Sutikna, Raden Pandji Soejono, Jatmiko, E. Wahyu Saptomo and Rokus Awe Due from the National Archaeology Research Institute (ARKENAS), Indonesia, presents more diversity in the genus Homo. “Immediately, my fever vanished. I couldn’t sleep well that night. I couldn’t wait for sunrise. In the early morning we went to the site, and when we arrived in the cave, I didn’t say a thing because both my mind and heart couldn’t handle this incredible moment. I just went down...

Dlium