A NEW SPECIES OF VANGUERIEAE ( RUBIACEAE ) FROM LUZON , PHILIPPINES

Pyrostria triflora, a new species of the tribe Vanguerieae of Rubiaceae from the Philippines is described and illustrated. The new species is unique from other representatives of the genus by its strictly 3-flowered inflorescences and geographic distribution. Introduction Vanguerieae is a monophyletic tribe of Rubiaceae recognized by its swollen stylar knob for pollen presentation (Verdcourt, 1987; Verdcourt and Bridson, 1991). The group is widely distributed in tropical Asia, Africa, Madagascar and the Pacific thriving in various habitats and environments (Razafimandimbison et al., 2009). Infrageneric classifications within the tribe have been very difficult due to the unnaturalness of several genera, such as Canthium Lam., Pyrostria Comm. ex Juss. and Vangueria Juss. (Bridson, 1987, 1992). However, morphological and molecular phylogenetic works of various authors (Bridson, 1992; Lantz et al., 2002; Lantz and Bremer, 2004, 2005; Razafimandimbison et al., 2009) have resulted in the reinstatement of several genera [e.g., Afrocanthium (Bridson) Lantz and Bremer, Bullockia (Bridson) Razafim., Lantz & Bremer, Canthium sensu stricto, Keetia E. Phillips, Psydrax Gaertn. and Pyrostria Comm. ex Juss.] as well as establishment of clearer synapomorphies among these taxa. This taxonomic amendment has now in general resulted in morphologically clearly defined and monophyletic genera within the tribe. In an effort to revise the Philippine Vanguerieae (Arriola and Alejandro, 2013) owing to various nomenclatural changes within the tribe, we recollected all the endemic Philippine representatives of the Vanguerieae. An interesting specimen of Vanguerieae was collected in the mountain ranges of Ilocos Norte, Luzon, the Philippines. The plant material showed distinguishing characters of Pyrostria based on recent circumscription of the genus by Razafimandimbison et al. (2009) by having large connate peduncular bracts that enclose the young inflorescences, fleshy corolla with numerous moniliform hairs inside the throat and dioecious sexuality. After examination of various herbarium specimens (L, PNH and UST) and checking various databases, our specimen showed no exact match with the currently recognized species under Pyrostria. Further, combined molecular sequence data from ITS (nrDNA) and trnL-F (cpDNA) revealed a phylogenetic position of our material in the Pyrostria clade. Therefore a new species of Pyrostria is described and illustrated. Corresponding author. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the East, 2219 C.M. Recto Ave, Manila 1008, Philippines. Email: arriolaaxel@yahoo.com Northwestern University Ecotourism Park and Botanic Gardens, Airport Avenue, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Manila 1015, Philippines

In an effort to revise the Philippine Vanguerieae (Arriola and Alejandro, 2013) owing to various nomenclatural changes within the tribe, we recollected all the endemic Philippine representatives of the Vanguerieae.An interesting specimen of Vanguerieae was collected in the mountain ranges of Ilocos Norte, Luzon, the Philippines.The plant material showed distinguishing characters of Pyrostria based on recent circumscription of the genus by Razafimandimbison et al. (2009) by having large connate peduncular bracts that enclose the young inflorescences, fleshy corolla with numerous moniliform hairs inside the throat and dioecious sexuality.After examination of various herbarium specimens (L, PNH and UST) and checking various databases, our specimen showed no exact match with the currently recognized species under Pyrostria.Further, combined molecular sequence data from ITS (nrDNA) and trnL-F (cpDNA) revealed a phylogenetic position of our material in the Pyrostria clade.Therefore a new species of Pyrostria is described and illustrated.

Materials and Methods
This study was based on field observations and examinations of collected materials from Mount Palemlem, Adams Ilocos Norte in the Island of Luzon, the Philippines.Herbarium specimens and spirit collections (persevered in 70% ethanol) were submitted to the PNH and USTH.All measurements were taken using a graduated vernier caliper (Disston).Detailed examinations of all vegetative and reproductive parts were examined using the LW Scientific dissecting microscope.Available herbarium specimens (L, PNH and USTH) were examined and online database were checked for possible match of our materials.Shrub, 0.5−1.0m high; branches terete and glabrous.Leaves lanceolate, 2−8 × 1−3 cm, glabrous on both sides; apex attenuate; base attenuate; visible lateral nerves 5 or 6 on each side of the midrib; petiole 1−2 mm, glabrous.Stipules ovate to triangular, 3 × 1 mm, glabrous on both sides.Male inflorescence axillary on 0.8−1.0mm long peduncles, 3-flowered; peduncular bracts present, 3.5−4.5 mm long, triangular to broadly triangular, glabrous on both sides, enclosing the young inflorescence; pedicels erect, 4.5−5.0mm long at flowering, persistent.Male flowers: calyx glabrous; tube 0.8−1.2mm long; lobes broadly triangular, 0.2 × 0.4 mm.Corolla 4-merous, white, glabrous outside; tube tubular, 0.8−1.2mm long, moniliform hairs present at the throat; lobes broadly triangular, 2.0−2.5 × 1.0−1.2mm, recurved.Stamens attached to corolla tube adjacent to the throat; anthers narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.3 mm long, exserted.Style including stigmatic knob 3.0−3.9mm long; stigmatic knob 1 mm long, with a shallow cleft above, style not recessed into the stimatic head; disk glabrous.Fruits not seen.

Pyrostria triflora
Phenology: Flowers from April to June.Distribution and habitat: Pyrostria triflora thrives in lowland forest at 200-300 m of Adam, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
Etymology: The specific epithet was based on the strictly 3-flowered male inflorescence of the species.
Notes: Although Pyrostria triflora approaches the subsessile inflorescence of P. subsessilifolia (Merr.)Arriola & Alejandro (Alejandro et al., 2013), several features (size of leaf blades, leaf apex and base, and longer peduncular bracts) delineate the former from the latter.The inflorescence of our material approach that of the Madagascan Pyrostria pendula Lantz, Klack.& Razafim.(Lantz et al., 2007), however, P. triflora is exceptional from the Madagascan species with its strictly 3-flowered inflorescence and a different geographical distribution.