AMORPHOPHALLUS GLIRUROIDES

PROTOLOGUE: Amorphophallus gliruroides Engl., published in Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 86 (1911).

Amorphophallus gliruroides Engl. n. sp. — Folium haud cognitum. Pedunculus 4–5 dm longus. Spatha oblonga ad tertiam partem usque vel ultra convoluta, circ. 1,2 dm longa, 3 cm lata. Spadicis inflorescentia feminea circ. 4 cm longa, 1,3 cm crassa, mascula 3 cm longa, 1 cm crassa, appendix valde elongata 3 dm longa, inferne 8–9 mm crassa, sursum attenuata, laevis. Staminum antherae compressae subsessiles 1,5 mm longae. Pistillorum ovaria semiglobosa depressa, stigmate sessili discoideo coronata.

DISTRIBUTION: N. Myanmar: Myanmar.

DISTRIBUTION NOTE: Historical: Upper Burma, Southern Shan State, Laikow Modern: Myanmar, Kayah State, Loikaw District, vicinity of Loikaw.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION:

Leaf unknown

INFLORESCENCE:

Peduncle 40–50 cm long. Spathe oblong, convolute for approximately the lower third or somewhat more, about 12 cm long and 3 cm wide. Female portion of the spadix about 4 cm long and 1.3 cm thick; male portion 3 cm long and 1 cm thick; appendix very elongate, 30 cm long, 8–9 mm thick below, tapering upward, smooth. Anthers compressed, subsessile, 1.5 mm long. Ovaries depressed-semiglobose, crowned by a sessile, disc-shaped stigma.

ETYMOLOGY:

Probably derived from Latin glis, gliris, “dormouse,” and Greek-oides, “resembling,” likely referring to the extraordinarily long, slender and tapering spadix appendix, suggestive of a dormouse’s tail.

NOTES:

1. No photos or illustrations of this species exist

REFERENCES:

1. Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Amorphophallus gliruroides Engl.

2. Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 86 (1911) — protologue.