Taxonomy and conservation status of Microchirita (Gesneriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A revision of Microchirita (C.B.Clarke) Yin Z.Wang (Gesneriaceae) in Malaysia is presented as a precursory paper for the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia account. The taxonomic treatment includes a key for identification, detailed descriptions of the species, information on seed morphology (illustrated by Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs), and a discussion on distributions, including maps, and the conservation status for each species.

Microchirita minor (Gesneriaceae), a new species from north-western Vietnam

“…Puglisi et al 2016;Puglisi and Middleton 2017;Rafidah 2019). The genus Microchirita grows exclusively in limestone karst habitats of tropical Asia, of which, Thailand is considered to be the centre of diversity of Microchirita with 29 species recorded (Puglisi and Middleton 2017), followed by Indonesia, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (Puglisi and Middleton 2017;Rafidah 2017;Middleton 2018;Vu 2018;Wei 2018;Fu et al 2022;Wei et al 2022;Wen et al 2022).…”

Microchirita hairulii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia

“…A.Weber & Rafidah] with three endemics, M.caliginosa (C.B.Clarke) Yin Z.Wang, M.ruthiae Rafidah and M.sericea (Ridl.) A.Weber & Rafidah (Rafidah 2017). Microchirita grows exclusively in limestone habitats and its species are also found in India, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, with Thailand as the centre of biodiversity with 28 species (Puglisi and Middleton 2017).…”