Noorma Wati Haron

Morphological and Tissue Culture Studies of Platycerium coronarium, a Rare Ornamental Fern Species from Malaysia

Abstract The genus Platycerium consists of about 18 species, commonly found in tropical and subtropical forests. Among the different species, Platycerium coronarium, P. platylobium, P. ridleyi and P. wallichi are found in Peninsular Malaysia, and P. coronarium is considered the most attractive ornamentally. Platycerium coronarium is an epiphytic fern, bears a gigantic morphology and is native to tropical areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Guinea. Platycerium coronarium nests on the upper branches of the tallest trees in the forest. Due to having a uniquely-shaped fronds, they are famous for ornamental purposes, where they can be found in gardens, especially in tropical regions. Detailed morphological studies of this species are lacking. In the present work, data are reported aiming at defining both the macro- and micro-morphological characteristics of intact and in vitro P. coronarium. Data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed similar ultrastructures of both types of leaves, i.e., the presence of multicellular trichomes on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Sunken stomata were also detected on the abaxial surface of the leaves. In addition, tissue culture studies were done to obtain an efficient regeneration system as well as to serve as an approach for conservation. Successful regeneration of sporophytes from gametophyte explants were observed in MS medium supplemented with 1.0–1.5 mg/l GA3 and 30 g/l sucrose, at pH 5.8 under 16 hours light and 8 hours dark.

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

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

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.

Medicinal and Environmental Indicator Species of Utricularia from Montane Forest of Peninsular Malaysia

The carnivorous Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) is a small herb of multifarious wet habitats worldwide. Eleven of the 14 Peninsular Malaysian species range into the mountains. Distribution, disturbance adaptability and collection frequency were used to formulate their commonness category. Common (U. aurea, U. bifida, and U. minutissima) and fairly common (U. gibba and U. uliginosa) species are mostly lowland plants that ascend to open montane microhabitats, while the fairly common (U. striatula), narrow-range (U. caerulea pink form and U. involvens), rare (U. furcellata and U. scandens), and endemic (U. vitellina) species are restricted to mountainous sites. Common species that colonise dystrophic to oligotrophic man-made sites in late succession could serve as predictors for general health and recovery of wet habitats. Rarer species are often locally abundant, their niches situated around pristine forest edges. When in decline, they indicate the beginning of problems affecting the forest. Utricularia is reportedly nutritious, mildly astringent, and diuretic. Preadapted to nutrient-poor, waterlogged soils, U. bifida is suitable as an alternative for small-scale herb cultivation on low pH, wet poor soils usually deemed not suitable for any crops.