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Issue: Vol. 776 No. 1: 22 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-22
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.776.1.8
Page range: 67-73
Abstract views: 15
PDF downloaded: 0

Taxonomic studies of Araceae in Myanmar IX: Sauromatum hetterscheidii sp. nov. (Aroideae)

Diversity of family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications Research Unit; Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute; Mahasarakham University; Kantarawichai District; Maha Sarakham 44150; Thailand
Chit Win Sein Farm; Hpa-an District; Kayin State; 13011; Myanmar
Diversity of family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications Research Unit; Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute; Mahasarakham University; Kantarawichai District; Maha Sarakham 44150; Thailand
Center for Integrative Conservation and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Conservation of Tropical Rainforests & Asian Elephants; Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Mengla; Yunnan 666303; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
Monocots Areae Aroid biodiversity Kayin State Permian limestone tropical botany

Abstract

Sauromatum Schott (Araceae: Areae) is a small genus of geophytic aroids distributed from tropical Africa to Southeast Asia. During botanical exploration of the Permian limestone karsts of Hpa-an Township, Kayin State, Myanmar, an unusual species of Sauromatum was discovered. Detailed morphological comparisons with all currently recognized species, together with examination of type material and relevant taxonomic literature, confirmed that it represents a species new to science, here described as S. hetterscheidii K.Z.Hein & Naive. The new species is readily distinguished by its staminate zone being approximately twice as long as the sterile interstice, a character unique within the genus. A complete taxonomic treatment is provided, including a detailed morphological description, comparisons with morphologically similar species, coloured plates to aid identification, notes on its distribution and ecology as well as a preliminary conservation assessment. The discovery of S. hetterscheidii highlights the exceptional botanical significance of Myanmar’s limestone karsts as centres of narrowly endemic plant diversity and emphasizes their continued importance for botanical exploration and conservation.

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How to Cite

Hein, K.Z., Paing, C.S., Saensouk, S. & Naive, M.A.K. (2026) Taxonomic studies of Araceae in Myanmar IX: Sauromatum hetterscheidii sp. nov. (Aroideae). Phytotaxa 776 (1): 67–73. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.776.1.8