Malaysia. Pahang, Merapoh District, Gua Gunting. 30 May 2013, Imin et al. FRI 78296 (holotype KEP! barcode 235330; isotype SING!).

Medium-sized, tufted epiphyte. Stems lax, pendulous, ca. 30 cm long, slender, terete, ca. 2.5–3 mm in diameter; branching dichotomously 4 times, branches equal. Leaves spaced 3–4 mm apart, arranged in two alternating subspiral whorls of three, ascending at ca. 40° to stem, sessile; lamina dark green, thin and papery, lanceolate, (7–)10 × 1.8–2 mm, base flat, cuneate, margin flat, entire, narrowed to a minutely apiculate apex, glabrous above and beneath; midrib distinct on both surfaces, prominent above, keeled beneath. Strobilus slender ca. 1 mm thick, branched once dichotomously near the base with a short stalk 8–14 mm long and branches ca. 20 mm long followed by a short 50–90 mm long section of stem with sterile leaves, terminating in a strobilus (20–)40–70 mm long. Sporophylls distinct from leaves, spaced along the axis, sessile, ovate, much smaller than leaves, 1.5–2 × 0.75–1 mm, keeled on outer surface, base rounded and concave around the sporangium, margin entire, apex acute. Sporangium broadly reniform, ca. 2 mm long and wide, creamy becoming yellow when mature. Spores isotetrahedral with convex margins, polar axis ca. 20 µm, distal surface minutely foveolate.

Figure 1. 

Phlegmariurus iminii. A habit B strobilus C tip of strobilus with sporangia and sporophylls D portion of leafy stem E distinct midrib on upper leaf surface F section of leaf to show keel G top view of sporangium and sporophyll H spores. (Drawing by Mohamad Aidil Noordin from Imin et al. FRI 81470).

Figure 2. 

Holotype specimen (Imin et al. FRI 78296) of Phlegmariurus iminii Kiew.

This new species belongs to the Phlegmariurus phlegmaria group of species in being a medium-sized epiphyte with pendent stems, flat leaves broadest at base with a distinct midrib and sporophylls much smaller than vegetative leaves. Amongst Peninsular Malaysian species, it is different from P. phlegmaria (L.) T.Sen & U.Sen and P. salvinioides in its narrower, sessile leaves, 7–9 × 1.8–2 mm, positioned at 40° to the stem (vs. broader, subpetiolate leaves 5–15 × 2–5.5 mm, perpendicular to the stem) and in its unbranched strobili (vs. much branched). While the distinction between P. phlegmaria and P. salvinioides (Herter) Ching tends to intergrade, P. iminii is distinct without any specimens of these two species resembling it. It is similar to P. pinifolius (Trevis.) Kiew in its narrow, sessile leaves but its leaves are less crowded and positioned at 40° to the stem (vs. crowded and perpendicular to the stem) and its strobili are short and unbranched (vs. long and branched from the base). It also superficially resembles P. banayanicus (Herter) A.R. Field & Bostok from the Philippines but that species has broader leaves narrowed to the base (usually 8–10 × 2–3 mm) that are perpendicular to the stem and has branched inflorescences. Phlegmariurus iminii is distinct from all these species by a combination of its narrow, sessile leaves positioned at 40° to the stem and its straight, short, unbranched strobili with sporophylls that are not strongly appressed to the stem (Table 1).

In Peninsular Malaysia, it is at present known only from the type locality, Pahang, Merapoh District, Gua Gunting. Ashley R. Field (pers. comm.) notes that the species is a target for plant collectors and it is in cultivation from parts of Thailand and other parts of Peninsular Malaysia from a variety of habitats, although we have not been able to locate it in commercial nurseries in Malaysia.

Critically Endangered (A1d, B2ab[iii,v]). Its only confirmed locality is a single karst limestone hill that lies outside the network of Totally Protected Areas and has been threatened by quarrying for cement and is surrounded by oil palm plantations that expose it to disturbance from agricultural activities, in particular by the practice of clearing vegetation by burning. The limestone flora occupies only 0.4% of land area but is biodiverse harbouring at least 14% of the Peninsula’s vascular flora (Chin 1977), so it is particularly vulnerable to disturbance (Kiew 1997). In addition, many of its species like Phlegmariurus iminii are known from less than five limestone hills (Kiew et al. 2017).

The type specimen grew on a tree on a steep slope, slightly shaded near the summit of a limestone karst hill.

Named after Imin Kamin, Research Assistant In-Charge of the lycophyte and fern collection in the Forest Research Institute Malaysia Herbarium (KEP), who discovered this species.

Malaysia. Pahang, Cameron Highlands, Gunung Beremban, trail from the Parit Falls to MARDI. 24 May 2007, Nor Ezzawanis & Zamri FRI 54517 (holotype KEP! barcode KEP139948; isotype KEP! barcode KEP139947).

Small epiphyte, tufted with (1–)6–7 stems. Stems pendulous or semi-erect, 11–22(–32.5) cm long, 1–2 mm diam., 1.2–1.7 cm wide across the leaves, green, branched once or sometimes twice towards the apex. Leaves crowded, spreading more-or-less at right angles to the stem, more-or-less in 6 rows, mid-green, soft, sessile, narrowly lanceolate to subulate, 8–10 × 0.75–1.5 mm, acutely narrowed to a sharp point at apex, margin entire, minutely revolute, glabrous above and beneath, midrib obscure above, prominent beneath. Strobilus green or yellowish-green, in pairs, each branching dichotomously once or twice, sometimes unbranched, (7.5–)11–12(–22) cm long, ca. 3 mm diameter. Sporophylls similar in shape to leaves but smaller and more compact, transition to strobilus gradual. Sporophylls sessile, ascending, arranged in 4 rows, narrowly lanceolate, 3.5–5(–7) × 0.5–1 mm at base, abruptly narrowed above the sporangium and 0.25 mm wide, margin entire. Sporangium yellow, broadly reniform, ca. 1–1.5 mm across. Spores isotetrahedral with convex margins, polar axis ca. 20 µm, distal surface minutely fossulate-foveolate.

Figure 3. 

Phlegmariurus monticola. A habit B portion of leafy sterile branch C strobilus D spores. (Drawing by Mohamad Aidil Noordin from Ezzawanis et al. FRI 54517).

Figure 4. 

A Phlegmariurus monticola B Peninsular Malaysian form of P. sqaurrosuss.l. (Photographs Imin Kamin).

It belongs to the Phlegmariurus squarrosus group in that its sporophylls are similar in shape, although smaller, than the leaves. Phlegmariurus monticola is immediately distinct from P. squarrosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve & D.Löve s.l. that in Peninsular Malaysia is morphologically relatively uniform by a combination of its tufted, shorter stems 11–32.5 cm long (vs. single-stemmed at the base and (20–)40–55(–200) cm long), leaf midrib obscure above and prominent beneath (not distinct above and faint beneath), strobili more slender ca. 3 mm wide, that are in pairs and usually branch dichotomously once or twice (vs. strobili 4–5 mm wide, single and always unbranched). In addition, their distributions do not overlap; P. squarrosus is a lowland species growing on trees usually at less than 300 m elevation, while P. monticola is a montane species occurring at 1400–2100 m elevation. It also superficially resembles P. prolifera (Blume) A.R Field & Bostok in its slender strobili ca. 3 mm wide and sporophylls arranged in four rows, but it differs in its shorter, narrower leaves (8–10 × 0.75–1.5 mm (vs. leaves 10–15 × 1.5–2 mm) and its narrowly lanceolate sporophylls 0.5-1 mm wide (vs. triangular-ovate sporophylls 1.5-2 mm wide).

Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan, Perak and Pahang).

Least Concern. It is found in most accessible montane areas in the Main Range suggesting that it is likely to be more widespread. The montane forest above 1000 m is protected because of the restriction on clearing forest on steep slopes. However, this does not apply to hill resorts where forest is cleared for resort infrastructure and at Cameron Highlands for vegetable and flower farms (Kiew 1997). However, its populations need to be monitored because it is for sale in nurseries in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand (AR Field, pers. comm.) so collecting of plants from the wild may become a threat.

In Peninsular Malaysia, in light shade usually in lower montane forest, sometimes in upper montane forest, at 1400–2100 m elevation.

Latin, monticola - dweller in mountains.

In appearance, it is immediately distinct from P. squarrosus in being less robust, in being tufted with up to 7 stems, having shorter stems that are only about twice the length of the strobili and leaves with the midrib obscure above and prominent beneath; while Peninsular Malaysian individuals of P. squarrosus have single stems (not tufted) that are longer so their strobili are about a fifth or less the length of the stem and the leaf midrib is distinct above and faint beneath.

Kelantan: Gunung Chamar Imin et al. FRI 71786 (KEP, L); Sungai Kenerong Imin et al. FRI 68171 (KEP), Kueh et al. FRI 58410 (KEP). Pahang: Cameron Highlands Aishah 15 (KLU); Holttum SFN 23443 (SING), Holttum s.n. May 1936 (SING); Imin et al. FRI 68482 (KEP), Imin et al. FRI 71946 (KEP), FRI 74765 (KEP, L), Imin et al. FRI 87114 (KEP), Nor-Ezzawanis et al. FRI 54517 (KEP), Poore 1019 (KLU); Fraser’s Hill Henderson SFN 11507 (SING); Genting Highlands Lim et al. GHC 1 (KLU); Aishah 22 (KLU), Stone 15422 (KLU), Tan et al. FRI 77645 (KEP, TAIF). Perak: Birch’s Hill Burkill SFN 12739 (SING); Gunung Hijau Julius et al. FRI 53305 (KEP), Sinclair & Kiah SFN 38728 (SING).

Huperzia pinifolia Trevis., Atti Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat. 17: 247. 1874 ≡ Lycopodium pinifolium Blume, Enum. Pl. Javae. 2: 264 (1828), non Kaulf. (1824).

Java. Without collector, number, date or precise locality (lectotype here selected: L!, electronic image with barcode L 0057375).

Medium-sized epiphyte, tufted with 2–4(–6) stems. Stems pendulous, 10–20(–50) cm long, ca. 1.5 mm diam., branching dichotomously 2–3(–4) times, branches equal. Leaves crowded, at right angles to stem, sessile, glossy, mid-green, thinly coriaceous, narrowly lanceolate, 6–8 × 1–1.7 mm, slightly narrowed at base, margin entire, slightly revolute, apex narrowed to a sharp point, glabrous, midrib obscure above, faint beneath. Sporophylls smaller, dissimilar to leaves, transition to strobilus abrupt. Strobili light green, 2–9 cm long, slender, 1–1.5 mm diam., branched at base to form a pair of straight branches, sometimes further branched once or twice. Sporophylls crowded, not arranged in 4 rows, sessile, green, base broadly ovate and partially covering the sporangium, narrowed abruptly above the sporangium to a short point, ca. 1.5 × 0.7 mm, margin entire, keeled outside. Sporangium discoid, ca. 1 mm diam.

Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), the Philippines, Indonesia (Sumatra to New Guinea). Hassler (2018) also records it from Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. In Peninsular Malaysia, collected from Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang.

Least Concern.

Not common, in upper hill dipterocarp to lower montane forest, in light shade, on trees on hill sides at 800–1250 m altitude.

Latin, -folius = leaf; referring to the similarity to leaves of Pinus.