Tamijia
| Tamijia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Zingiberaceae |
| Subfamily: | Tamijioideae |
| Tribe: | Tamijieae |
| Genus: | Tamijia S.Sakai & Nagam. |
| Species: | T. flagellaris
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tamijia flagellaris S.Sakai & Nagam.
| |
Tamijia flagellaris is a species of flowering plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and the sole member of the genus Tamijia. Endemic to the island of Borneo, this understory herb is notable for its unique morphology and adaptation to shaded, lowland tropical forests. It was first described in 2000 by botanists Shoko Sakai and Hidetoshi Nagamasu.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
[edit]The genus name Tamijia honors Japanese botanist Tamiji Kawakami for his contributions to tropical botany. The specific epithet flagellaris (Latin: "whip-like") references the plant’s elongated, creeping stolons. Phylogenetic studies place Tamijia within the subfamily Alpinioideae, closely related to Amomum and Elettaria, though it lacks the aromatic compounds typical of many gingers.
Type specimen
[edit]The holotype was collected in 1995 from Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia, and is deposited at the Kyoto University Museum (specimen KYO-00050162).
Distribution and Habitat
[edit]Tamijia flagellaris is restricted to northern Borneo, occurring in Brunei, Sabah (Malaysia), and Sarawak (Malaysia). It inhabits lowland mixed dipterocarp forests at elevations of 50–300 meters, favoring shaded, well-drained slopes with sandy-loam soils. Unlike most Zingiberaceae, which grow in moist riverbanks, this species thrives in comparatively drier microhabitats.
Description
[edit]A perennial herb growing 30–60 cm tall, T. flagellaris has the following distinguishing features:
- Rhizomes: Slender, horizontal, and scaly, producing stolons up to 1 meter long.
- Leaves: 2–7 leaves per shoot, arranged distichously (in two vertical rows). Blades obliquely obovate (15–25 cm × 5–8 cm), glabrous except for short hairs near the midrib underside. Petioles 6–17 cm long.
- Inflorescence: Terminal or axillary spikes 5–10 cm long, bearing 3–8 yellowish-green flowers. Corolla tubular, 2–3 cm long, with a three-lobed lip.
- Fruit: Capsules oblong, 1.5–2 cm long, splitting open to release black, arillate seeds.
Ecology
[edit]The plant reproduces vegetatively via stolons and sexually through seeds. Pollinators are unknown, but its small, non-fragrant flowers suggest generalist insects. Seed dispersal is likely aided by arils, which attract animals.
Conservation
[edit]While not yet evaluated by the IUCN Red List, habitat loss from logging and oil palm expansion poses a threat. Populations are protected within Lambir Hills National Park (Sarawak) and Ulu Temburong National Park (Brunei).
Uses
[edit]No traditional or commercial uses are documented. Its ecological role in forest understory regeneration warrants further study.
References
[edit]Sakai, S.; Nagamasu, H. (2000). "Systematic studies of Bornean Zingiberaceae: III. Tamijia: A New Genus". Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 57 (2): 245–255. doi:10.1017/S0960428600000172.
Poulsen, A.D. (2006). Gingers of Sarawak. Natural History Publications (Borneo). pp. 89–90. ISBN 9838121126.
"Tamijia flagellaris S.Sakai & Nagam". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 1 July 2024.