AMORPHOPHALLUS TONKINENSIS
PROTOLOGUE: Amorphophallus tonkinensis Engl. & Gehrm., published in Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 87 (1911).
Amorphophallus tonkinensis Engl. et Gehrm., n. sp., Das Pflanzenreich IV.23C: 87 (1911). Hinterindisch-ostasiatische Provinz: Tongking: Ke'So', im Gebirge Kiên Khê allat (R. P. Bon n. 4160, 5360. - Blühend und fruchtend im Mai 1889. - Herb. Mus. Paris); Lạt Sôn, auf den Felsen Quèn Bê' Can (R. P. Bon n. 3480. - Blatt im August 1887. - Herb. Mus. Paris).
DISTRIBUTION: China (SE. Yunnan) to N. Vietnam: China South-Central, Vietnam.
DISTRIBUTION NOTE: iNaturalist: Yunnan.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION:
Translated from protologue: Lamina of the leaf trisect, the primary segments about 3.5 dm long and dichotomous, the secondary segments pinnatipartite, the ultimate segments 0.3-1 dm long and 2-3 cm wide, lanceolate, very sharply acuminate, unequal, decurrent on the outer side, the collective vein set back from the margin.²
INFLORESCENCE:
Translated from protologue: Cataphylls enclosing the peduncle 2-2.3 dm long. Peduncle about 1.2-2 dm long and 0.5 cm thick. Spathe 1.8-1.9 dm long and about 1.5 dm wide, broadly ovate, acute. Spadix nearly equalling the spathe; female inflorescence 2-2.5 cm long and 1-1.5 cm thick; male 2.5-3 cm long and 2.5 cm thick above, obconic; appendix 1-1.1 dm long and 3-4 cm thick, ovoid-oblong, obtuse. Stamens sessile, 1.5 mm long, the thecae obovate, opening by confluent apical pores. Pistils 2.5 mm long; ovary subglobose, contracted into a style of about its own length, crowned by a cushion-shaped stigma. Berries up to 1.2 cm long and 0.5 cm thick, oblong, one-seeded.²
ECOLOGY:
One of the gatherings came from rocks. The species was found flowering and fruiting in May, and in leaf in August.²
PROPAGATION:
We have had relatively good luck rooting this species, both with early September and early October cuttings with 81.3% success in our best attempt.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Tonkin, the historical geographical name widely used in European literature for northern Vietnam, combined with the Latin suffix-ensis, “from” or “of.” The epithet therefore means “from Tonkin.” The name preserves the geographical terminology in use when the species was described; its recognized range today extends through northern and central Vietnam.
NOTES:
1. The species was described from northern Vietnam, from gatherings made by Father Bon and held in Paris.²
2. The berries carry a single seed each.²
3. The spadix nearly equals the spathe in length, and the appendix accounts for the greater part of it.²
4. The epithet preserves Tonkin, the name then in European use for northern Vietnam.²
REFERENCES:
1. Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Amorphophallus tonkinensis Engl. & Gehrm.
2. Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 87 (1911) — protologue.
3. Alan Galloway — Amorphophallus tonkinensis, alangallowaybotanicals.com.
4. Aroideana 19 (1996):P7 - 131
5. Propagation of Amorphophallus by Leaf Petiole Cuttings — Juniper Level Botanic Garden