Taxonomy,Distribution and economic importance of Xylocarpus species at Carey Island - The heritage island of Malaysia.

The genus Xylocarpus, belonging to the family Meliaceae is distributed in the tropics including mangrove habitat from Africa to Australia, Malaysia and India (Ridley, 1922). It is usually associated with Avicennia, Excoecaria, Acanthus, Rhizophora, Bruguiera,Sonneratia, Nypa and Ceriops. There are three species of Xylocarpus in Malaysia namely, Xylocarpus granatum, X. mollucensis and X. rumphii. They are considered important endangered mangrove species in Malaysia. X. granatum, commonly known as nyireh bunga, is important economically for wood carving. The inner bark is a source of dye for tanning, the oil from seeds is used for grooming hair, the fruits and seeds are used to treat diarrhea, and a bark decoction for cholera. It has been mentioned as the best and most beautiful cabinet wood. Its fine, glossy texture is suitable for furniture (Burkill, 1966; Primavera et. al, 2004). However, the population of the species is dwindling hence there is an urgent need to conserve the species. To date, there is no record on detailed morphological study of the species therefore it is one of the aims of the study to investigate the morphological characteristics of the species. Anatomical studies on the leaf were also carried out. Scanning electron microscope study revealed the presence of sunken, anomocytic-type stomata on the abaxial and adaxial surface of the leaf. Results from anatomical studies showed the presence of thick cuticle on both abaxial and adaxial surface of the leaf. Sunken stomata and thick cuticle are adaptations of mangrove species to reduce transpiration. Tannin cells were also observed in the leaf lamina. Regeneration of this species from tissue culture had been attempted, however, only callus formation was observed

Notes on some plant collections from Bachok and several forest reserves in Kelantan

A botanical survey of Bachok and various forest reserves at Jeram Linang, Jeram Pasu and Bukit Bakar was part of an expedition from 14–20 June 2008 carried out by the IOES (Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences) University of Malaya to survey and prepare an inventory of the biodiversity of the coastal region around Bachok, Kelantan. A total of 54 species from 30 families, consisting of seashore and mangrove plants were identified from the coastal area of Bachok and Semerak; while 89 species of flowering plants representing 44 families, a single gymnosperm, Agathis borneensis (Araucariaceae); and 15 genera and 23 species of mosses (from 10 families) were recorded in the three forest reserves. Several of the species collected were rarely found outside Kelantan. Satu survei tumbuhan di Bachok dan beberapa hutan simpanan termasuk Jeram Linang, Jeram Pasu dan Bukit Bakar, Kelantan adalah sebahagian ekspedisi survei biodiversiti kawasan pantai di sekitar Bachok Kelantan oleh IOES (Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences) Universiti Malaya pada 14–20 Jun 2008. Sejumlah 54 spesies daripada 30 famili tumbuhan pantai dan bakau dikenalpasti dari kawasan pantai Bachok dan Semerak; sedangkan 89 spesies tumbuhan berbunga (mewakili 44 famili), satu gimnosperma, Agathis borneensis (Araucariaceae); serta 15 genera dan 23 spesies daripada 10 famili lumut sejati telah direkodkan di kawasan sekitar Jeram Linang, Jeram Pasu dan Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar. Beberapa spesies yang dikutip adalah jarang ditemui di luar Kelantan

Tissue Culture, Anatomical and Morphological Studies of Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson

Comparative anatomical studies were carried out on in vivo plants of Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson and in vitro plantlets of the same age. To get the in vitro plantlets, explants were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of hormones. The explant sources of Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson were obtained from cotyledons, leaves, stems, roots and shoot tips that were placed under conditions of 16 hours light and 8 hours dark. The optimum media for regeneration was MS supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BAP and 1.0 mg/L NAA. Cotyledon explants were found to be the most responsive. Regeneration of complete plantlets was achieved from cotyledon explants after about 4 months in culture. Sectioning was done to study the characteristics of the respective vascular bundles, shape of cells, palisade cell layers, presence of oil glands, druse and cuticle layers. Vascular bundles of in vivo leaves were extremely well developed compared to those in in vitro leaves. The vascular bundle of the in vivo leaf showed well developed xylem. However, the xylem and phloem cells of the in vitro leaf were very poorly developed which is one of the features of in vitro plants. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were also carried out on the in vivo and in vitro plantlets to observe differences on the leaf surface

Phytosociology of aquilaria malaccensis lamk. And its communities from a tropical forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia

A phytosociological study on the floristic and vegetation communities of Aquilaria malaccensis was carried out in Sungai Udang Forest Reserve, Malacca, Malaysia. The main objectives of this study were to identify, characterize and classify the Aquilaria malaccensis communities which were naturally distributed in the Sungai Udang Forest Reserve. A total of 25 plots (40 m x 20 m) in size were constructed according to the line transect method. The vegetation sampling and data analysis were done. A total of 80 species belonging to 79 genera and 40 families were found from all the 25 plots in Sungai Udang Forest Reserve. The most abundant family was the Euphorbiaceae with 220 individual trees, followed by Myrtaceae and Anacardiaceae representing 212 and 197 individual trees, respectively. A community which was Aquilaria malaccensis - Artocarpus rigidus community with two new sub-community known as Palaquium gutta sub-community and Barringtonia racemosa sub-community were identified on the basis of statistical and phytosociological analyses. These community and sub-community also showed preference on different geographical and environmental factors such as soils and local relief. This study is useful in providing more information on the growth response of the mixed dipterocarp forest in the development of proper forest management

A phytosociological study on the community of Palaquium gutta (Hook.f.) Baill. (Sapotaceae) at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor, Malaysia

A phytosociological study on the flora and vegetation community of Palaquium gutta (Hook.f.) Baill. was carried out in Compartment 13 of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor. The main objectives of this study were to identify, characterize and classify the P. gutta community which is naturally distributed in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. A total of 10 plots (30×30 m in size) were constructed according to the line transect method. The vegetation sampling and data analysis were done according to the Braun-Blanquet approach. The results showed that there were 59 species belonging to 54 genera and 34 families in the form of herbs, shrubs, understorey trees and also canopy tree layers. The most common species in the study area were P. gutta and Endospermum diadenum (Miq.) Airy Shaw. The phytosociological study identified a community of Palaquium gutta-Endospermum. diadenum along with two sub-communities known as Dracaena sp. sub-community and Streblus elongatus sub-community. The results also showed that most of the species belong to the Euphorbiaceae. This indicates that the forest is a secondary forest

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies of passiflora species available in Peninsular Malaysia

Micromorphological characteristics of four Passiflora species were distinguished by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies. Stomata, trichomes, and epidermal surfaces’ structure of leaves of each species were observed using a scanning electron microscope

Some morphological and anatomical studies of leaves and flowers of Murraya paniculata (Jack) Linn. in vivo and in vitro

In the present study, various explants of Murraya paniculata (Jack) Linn., such as cotyledons, shoots and young stems were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) under 25±1°C with 16 h light and 8 h dark and also 8 h light and 16 h dark to obtain complete plant regeneration. In vitro flowering was observed from shoot explants cultured on MS supplemented with 0.5-2.0 mg L-1 Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and also on MS basal medium under similar conditions. The leaves and flowers obtained from both in vivo and in vitro conditions were examined and compared. Morphological studies such as leaf clearing, epidermal peeling were studied using light and scanning electron microscope. Macromorphological studies of the flowers produced from in vivo and in vitro conditions were also examined. Morphologically, there were no differences between in vivo and in vitro flowers except the flowers produced from tissue culture systems were smaller in size with protruding stigmas. Differences were also found in the number of layers of palisade cells and the presence or absence of epicuticle layer of the leaves. Leaves produced from tissue culture system were smaller in size with membranous texture. Stomata were present only on the abaxial surfaces of both in vivo and in vitro leaves but the stomata were raised above the epidermis in the latter. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Loxocarpus pauzii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia

A new species of Loxocarpus (Gesneriaceae) from Gunung Stong, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated

Codonoboea oreophila (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia

A new species of Codonoboea from Gunung Stong, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated

To which genus does the enigmatic Peninsular Malaysian Chirita elata (Gesneriaceae) belong?

The anomalous Chirita elata proves to belong to Codonoboea (Gesneriaceae), necessitating the new combination Codonoboea elata