AMORPHOPHALLUS YUNNANENSIS
PROTOLOGUE: Amorphophallus yunnanensis Engl., published in Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 109 (1911).
Amorphophallus yunnanensis Engl. n. sp., Das Pflanzenreich IV.23C: 109 (1911). Cataphylla late linearia, 1,5-3 dm longa et usque 3 cm lata. Pedunculus 2-2,5 dm longus. Spatha cymbiformis livido-purpurascens 1,8 dm longa, 6-8 cm lata. Spadicis inflorescentia feminea 1,5 cm longa et crassa, mascula paullum brevior et paullum crassior, appendix breviter et obtuse conoidea 4 cm longa et inferne 1,5 cm crassa. Ovaria subglobosa in stilum brevissimum stigmate capitato coronatum contracta. Flores masculi densissime congesti. Staminum filamenta brevissima, antherae transverse subquadratae. Monsungebiet, Nordwestmalayische Provinz: Tropisches Yünnan: Feuchte Plätze in Misch- und Coniferenwäldern am Ostabhang des Tali-Range (25° 40' N.) um 2600 m ü. M. (G. Forrest n. 4848. - Blühend im Juni 1906 - Herb. Edinburgh).
SYNONYMS:
HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS: Amorphophallus kerrii N.E.Br. in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1912: 43 (1912)
DISTRIBUTION: S. China (Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou) to N. Indo-China: China South-Central, China Southeast, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.
DISTRIBUTION NOTE: iNaturalist: Yunnan.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION:
Translated from protologue: Cataphylls broadly linear, 1.5-3 dm long and up to 3 cm wide. The leaf is not described.²
INFLORESCENCE:
Translated from protologue: Peduncle 2-2.5 dm long. Spathe boat-shaped, livid purplish, 1.8 dm long and 6-8 cm wide. Female inflorescence of the spadix 1.5 cm long and as thick, the male a little shorter and a little thicker; appendix shortly and bluntly conoid, 4 cm long and 1.5 cm thick below. Ovaries subglobose, contracted into a very short style crowned by a capitate stigma. Male flowers very densely congested. Filaments of the stamens very short; anthers transversely nearly square.²
ECOLOGY:
Found in damp places in mixed and coniferous forest on the eastern slope of the Tali range, at about 2600 m. It was gathered in flower in June.²
PROPAGATION:
Our four attempts with this species have yielded mixed results, ranging from 100% rooting from mid-September cuttings to 0% on two attempts with early October and early September cuttings. We feel the failure in early September was either due to poor quality cuttings or improper care while rooting.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Yunnan, southwestern China, combined with the Latin geographical suffix-ensis, “from” or “of,” literally “from Yunnan.” Although named for Yunnan, the species has a broader montane distribution extending into northern Thailand and northern Vietnam.
REFERENCES:
1. Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Amorphophallus yunnanensis Engl.
2. Pflanzenr., IV, 23C: 109 (1911) — protologue.
3. Alan Galloway — Amorphophallus yunnanensis, alangallowaybotanicals.com.
4. Aroideana 19 (1996):P7 - 131
5. Propagation of Amorphophallus by Leaf Petiole Cuttings — Juniper Level Botanic Garden