Ardisia krauensis, a new species of Primulaceae (Myrsinoideae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Ardisia krauensis, a new species of Primulaceae from Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. The new species is assignable into subgenus (§) Pyrgus on account of specialised lateral reproductive branches bearing a terminal inflorescence subtended by foliose bracts. Morphologically, the new species mostly resembles Ardisia rigida in having elliptic leaves. However, the new species can be distinguished by the combination of its lateral veins number, the inflorescence branching pattern, the rachis and flower colour, and the stigma shape. Ardisia krauensis is found in an entirely protected habitat, thus, it is assessed as Least Concern (LC)

Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from northern Peninsular Malaysia

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisia recurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisia recurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD)

Embracing biodiversity: A perspective on transforming engineering education for sustainable innovation

In a rapidly changing world marked by escalating environmental challenges, the imperative to integrate biodiversity knowledge into engineering education has never been more pressing. This perspective paper aims to explore the transformative potential of integrating biodiversity principles and practices into engineering curricula. Drawing upon interdisciplinary insights from environmental science, ecology, and engineering education, this paper advocates for a paradigm shift in engineering pedagogy to foster sustainable innovation. Through a lens of collaboration, creativity, and ethical stewardship, this paper explores how embracing biodiversity can empower engineers to address complex 21stcentury challenges while nurturing a deeper connection between human ingenuity and the natural world. By illuminating the pathways to integrating biodiversity into engineering education, this paper aims to inspire educators, researchers, and practitioners to embark on a journey toward a more sustainable future

Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from northern Peninsular Malaysia

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisia recurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisia recurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD)

Potential medicinal plants from Sungai Rawog Conservation Area: Documentation and a preliminary phytochemical screening on potential medicinal plants

Previous botanical surveys on vascular plants in Sungai Rawog Conservation Area (SRCA) have recorded 572 taxa, of which 124 are endemic to Borneo. Of these, only 18 taxa have been listed as known medicinal plants compared to the existing checklist used by the Indigenous people of Sabah. The number may not represent the total known medicinal plants in the studied area because some plants may have medicinal value yet to be explored. Thus, the present study aims to document and conduct phytochemical screening on selected potential medicinal plants from SRCA. The phytochemical detection for alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and saponin was performed using Mayer's reagent, the Shinoda test, the Ferric chloride colour test, and the Froth test, respectively. A total of 90 taxa from flowering plants and ferns have been screened for their phytochemical compounds and identified as having potential medicinal value. Of the 90 taxa, 89 were found to be positive for phenolics, 51 for saponin, 44 for alkaloids, and 28 for flavonoids. The findings could provide a basis for selecting high-potential plants from SRCA for future in-depth chemical and pharmacological studies

Capparis (Capparaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia, including a new species and two new varieties

As part of the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project, a species checklist of the genus Capparis in Peninsular Malaysia is presented here with a total of 11 species, two subspecies and four varieties. A new species and two varieties, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, are described and illustrated: Capparis kenaboiensis, C. scortechinii var. ruthiae and C. trinervia var. chungiana. Capparis kenaboiensis is known from a single site in Negeri Sembilan and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU); C. scortechinii var. ruthiae from Pahang is Vulnerable (VU); and Capparis trinervia var. chungiana is known from Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor and its conservation status is assessed as Near Threatened (NT). A checklist and updated key to the genus in Peninsular Malaysia are provided

Capparis (Capparaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia, including a new species and two new varieties

As part of the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project, a species checklist of the genus Capparis in Peninsular Malaysia is presented here with a total of 11 species, two subspecies and four varieties. A new species and two varieties, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, are described and illustrated: Capparis kenaboiensis, C. scortechinii var. ruthiae and C. trinervia var. chungiana. Capparis kenaboiensis is known from a single site in Negeri Sembilan and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU); C. scortechinii var. ruthiae from Pahang is Vulnerable (VU); and Capparis trinervia var. chungiana is known from Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor and its conservation status is assessed as Near Threatened (NT). A checklist and updated key to the genus in Peninsular Malaysia are provided

Ardisia whitmorei (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from north east of Peninsular Malaysia

Ardisia whitmorei Julius & Utteridge sp. nov. (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a member of Ardisia subgenus Stylardisia on account of the style protruding from the closed petals prior to anthesis, is herein described and illustrated as new species. This new species is easily distinguished by the combination of the inflorescences with a slender rachis branched to two orders, the corolla lobes are abaxially glabrous with only two gland-dots near the apex, and the brochidrodromous secondary veins with double loops near the margin

Ardisia Swartz 1788

Key to Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia in Peninsular Malaysia 1. Inflorescences strictly terminal on lateral leafy branches..................................................................................................................2 - Inflorescences lateral (axillary) and/or terminal on main stem or lateral branches...........................................................................5 2. Lamina coriaceous, rarely subcoriaceous, relatively small 2.5–6.5(–9) cm long, rarely up to c. 13 cm long................................................................................................................................. Ardisia rosea King & Gamble (1906: 150) - Lamina chartaceous, rarely subcoriaceous, larger (7–)9–16(–18) cm long.......................................................................................3 3. Inflorescences much branched, peduncle longer (1.5–) 5 cm long................................ Ardisia polysticta Miq. (Miquel 1861: 576) - Inflorescences usually unbranched, and if only 1–2 with peduncle(s) then these less than 1.5 cm long...........................................4 4. Leaf apex obtuse, sometimes acute, secondary veins closely spaced....................................................................... Ardisia crenata - Leaf apex long acuminate to acuminate-caudate, secondary veins laxly spaced......... Ardisia ridleyi King & Gamble (1906: 148) 5. Inflorescence strictly lateral (axillary) on main stem.........................................................................................................................6 - Inflorescence lateral (axillary) and/or terminal on main stem or lateral branches.............................................................................7 6. Lamina oblong-lanceolate, subcoriaceous, apex usually shortly acuminate rarely long and slightly caudate, 0.5–1(–2) cm long; pedicels longer and slender................................................................................... Ardisia sphenobasis Scheff. (Scheffer 1867: 65) - Lamina elliptic, coriaceous, apex long acuminate-caudate, 2–2.5 cm long; pedicels shorter and thicker................... Ardisia minor 7. Inflorescence lateral (axillary) and terminal on lateral branches..................................................................... Ardisia lankawiensis - Inflorescence lateral (axillary) on main stem and/or terminal on lateral branches............................................................................8 8. Lamina oblanceolate-elliptic, apex acuminate, densely, villous-pilose hairs on both surfaces; inflorescences terminal on lateral branches; hairs white................................................................................................................................................... Ardisia villosa - Lamina narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, apex acuminate-caudate, lamina soon glabrescent except the midrib; inflorescences lateral (axillary) on main stem and terminal on short lateral branch; hairs rust coloured............................... Ardisia recurvisepalaPublished as part of Julius, Avelinah & Utteridge, Timothy M. A., 2021, Ardisia recurvisepala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia, pp. 79-84 in Phytotaxa 480 (1) on page 83, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.480.1.7, http://zenodo.org/record/541483