A. atropurpurea Engl.

Endemic to northern Luzon, known only from Mt Polis, and an unspecified locality in Bontoc Subprovince. Nansei-shoto (Okinawa, Iriomote), Philippines (N. Luzon). (2)

Habitat

The species is found in open mossy forest along highways between Ifugao and Bontoc at higher elevations. (1)

Systems

Terrestrial

Diagnostic

The female zone partly adnate to the spathe, the large ovaries and purple, rather inflated spathe limb appear diagnostic. (2)

Taxonomic Notes

Alocasia atropurpurea was described by Engler and published in 1920. The species resembles A. odora but differs in its peltate leaves, purplish inflorescence, and large ovaries. (1)

First published in Pflanzenr., IV, 23E: 132 (1920) (2)

Morphology

Moderately robust herb; petiole to ca. 50 cm long, sheathing in the lower third; blade membranous, ovato-sagittate, ca. 40 cm long , very shallowly peltate; anterior lobe ca. 30 cm long x 30 cm wide at base, with about 4 primary lateral veins on each side of the anterior costa diverging at ca. 45-70°, secondary veins flush on both sides of the blade, arising from the primary veins at ca. 70° and then deflected to the amrgin, not or hardly forming interprimary collective veins; posterior costae diverging at an obtuse angle; posterior lobes ca. Half the length of the anterior, rounded, with little laminar tissue on the posterior side of the posterior costae, but this confluentacross the sinus; glands in the axils of the primary veins inconspicuous or absent; inflorescence arrangement (not known); spathe to ca. 14 cm long; lower spathe ca. 4 cm long, ovoid, asymmetric (due to partial connation with spadix); limb broadly oblong-lanceolate, cucullate, the basal ca. 1 cm deflected and somewhat inflated, then the rest erect, dark purple brown; spadix somewhat shorter than the spathe; female zone ca. 3 cm long, partly connate with spathe in lower third, tapering distally; ovaries globuse, rather large, ca. 2.5-3 mm diam. (dry); stigma strongly 3-4-lobed on a very short style; sterlie interstice slender, ca. 1 cm long, corresponding with spathe constriction male zone ca. 3 cm long x 1.3 cm thick (dry); synandria rhombo-hexagonal, ca. 2 mm diam., more or less capped by expanding synconnectivel appendix slightly longer than to about twice the length of the male zone, slightly constricted at junction with male zone, thence cylindric and distally abruptly tapering; infructescence unknown. (2)

Description

The species is found only at Mt. Polis between Ifugao and Bontoc, Luzon Island. The population is confined to one location in disturbed mossy forest near the national highway to Ifugao. Although the area is protected, the infrastructure of the national highway facilitates increased human disturbance and building the road also resulted in the loss of habitat. The species is collected for its flowers and the road now provides easier access to the area. (1)

Use and Trade

A. atropurpurea is a popular ornamental plant because of its colorful spadix. 75% of the whole population is utilized. (1)

Threats

Loss of habitat through conversion of mossy forest into a national highway poses a major threat as opening the area also facilitates increased human disturbance and provides easier access to collectors. (1)

More Description

(1920) Das Pflanzenreich 71 (3)

Original Text:

A. atropurpurea Engl. n. sp. — Foliorum petiolus teres modice validus 6—8 mm crassus, lamina tenuiter herbacea, ambitu late ovato-cordata, 3,6 dm longa, 2,8 dm lata; lobus anticus late ovatus, apice breviter abrupte acuminatus, 2,8 dm longus, basi usque ad 2,4 dm latus, margine levissime undulatus, nervis lateralibus primariis 5 prominulis angulo circ. 60—70° a costa media basi latiuscula sursum sensim evanescente patentibus, marginem versus leviter arcuatim adscendentibus percursus, lobi postici oblique oblongi rotundato-obtusi, sinu lato sejuncti quam anticus circ. 3 1/2-plo breviores, costis posticis angulo obtusissimo divergentibus, nervis lateralibus primariis latere exteriore 2—3, latere interiore 1—2. Pedunculus teres validiusculus, circ. 1,5 dm longus, 6 mm crassus. Spathae utrinque atropurpureae tubus ovoideus 3,5 cm longus, 2 cm diametiens, lamina oblonga apicem versus angustata, demum acutata, 1,4 dm longa, basi expansa usque ad 4,5 cm lata. Spadicis inflorescentia feminea cylindrica, 2 cm longa, mascula 3 cm longa, a feminea interstitio brevi angusto sterili sejuncta, appendix sterilis subclavata, sursum attenuata acuta, 4,5 cm longa.

Provinz der Philippinen: Luzon, Unterprovinz Ifugao, am Mt. Polis (C. Mc Gregor in Herb. of the Bureau of Science n. 19663 — blühend im Februar 1913 — Herb. Berlin).

Possible Translation:

A. atropurpurea Engl. n. sp. — The petiole of the leaves is slightly rounded, moderately strong, 6—8 mm thick, the blade thinly herbaceous, broadly ovate-corded, 3.6 dm long, 2.8 dm broad; frontal lobe broadly ovate, apex briefly abruptly acuminate, 2.8 dm long, side up to 2.4 dm at the base, very smoothly undulate, with primary lateral nerves 5 prominent at an angle of circ. 60—70° from the middle rib, wider at the base, spreading upwards, gradually disappearing, traversing the margin toward the slightly ascending arch, the rear lobes obliquely oblong, rounded-obtuse, with a broad sinus separated from the front. 3 1/2-pieces shorter, with very obtuse rear ribs diverging, lateral nerves leading to the outer side 2-3, the inner side 1-2. The rounded peduncle is somewhat stronger, 1.5 dm long, 6 mm thick. Spathe on either side a dark purple ovoid tube 3.5 cm long, 2 cm in diameter, an oblong plate narrowing at its apex, and finally acute, 1.4 dm long, expanded to 4.5 cm wide at the base. Female inflorescence cylindrical with rusty, 2 cm long, male 3 cm long, sterile female from a short narrow gap, sterile appendage subclavate, pointed upward, 4.5 cm long.

Province of the Philippines: Luzon, Ifugao subprovince, Mt. Polis (C. Mc Gregor in Herb. of the Bureau of Science n. 19663 — blühend im February 1913 — Herb. Berlin).

Fig. 1: page 132 of "Das Pflanzenreich 71"

References

(1) https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/133705/3872871

(2) http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:84129-1

(3) https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/56527#page/438/mode/1up

Herbaria

Specimen / Collection Number: K000291390 (Kew)

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, spathe and spadix

Type Status: Isotype

Collector: McGregor, R.C.

Date Collected: Feb 1913

Determiner / Identified By: Hay, A.

Determination / Identification Date: Nov 14, 1996

Biogeographic Region: Greater Luzon

Country: Philippines

Precise Locality: Luzon, Subprov. Ifugao, Mt. Polis

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia cucullata

Notes: None

Link: http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000291390

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: Bur. Sci. 19663 (Smithsonian)

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, spathe and spadix

Type Status: Isotype, Original publication and alleged type specimen examined

Collector: McGregor, R.C.

Date Collected: Feb 1913

Determiner / Identified By: Hay, A.

Determination / Identification Date: Jan 1997

Biogeographic Region: Malesia, Greater Luzon

Country: Philippines

Precise Locality: Luzon, Subprov. Ifugao, Mt. Polis

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia sinuata

Notes: Insect damage noted August 2014; apparently occurred before loan returned in March 2008 (photo made before loan was returned in 2008 shows no insect damage).

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: 65

Plant Parts: leaf blade

Type Status: Unknown

Collector: Field, W. D.; Loew, O. G.

Date Collected: Oct 14, 1945

Determiner / Identified By: Nicolson, D.

Determination / Identification Date: April 1968

Biogeographic Region: Eastern Asia

Country: Japan

Precise Locality: The Liu Kiu Islands. Koja. Okinawa Province.

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia cucullata

Notes: None

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: 65

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, spathe and spadix

Type Status: Unknown

Collector: Field, W. D.; Loew, O. G.

Date Collected: 1945

Determiner / Identified By: Nicolson, D.

Determination / Identification Date: April 1968

Biogeographic Region: Eastern Asia

Country: Japan

Precise Locality: The Liu Kiu Islands. Koja. Okinawa Province.

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia cucullata

Notes: None

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: 8176

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, inflorescence and infructescence

Type Status: Unknown

Collector: Walker, E. H.

Date Collected: June 19, 1966

Determiner / Identified By: Nicolson, D.

Determination / Identification Date: April 1968

Biogeographic Region: Eastern Asia

Country: Japan

Precise Locality: The Ryukyu Islands. Okinawa Island. Okinawa Project. Naha, Tawada's garden.

Cultivated: Yes

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia gageana

Notes: specimen shows variability of leaves on one plant

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: 8176

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, inflorescence and infructescence

Type Status: Unknown

Collector: Walker, E. H.

Date Collected: June 19, 1966

Determiner / Identified By: Nicolson, D.

Determination / Identification Date: April 1968

Biogeographic Region: Eastern Asia

Country: Japan

Precise Locality: The Ryukyu Islands. Okinawa Island. Okinawa Project. Naha, Tawada's garden.

Cultivated: Yes

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia gageana

Notes: specimen shows variability of leaves on one plant

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Specimen / Collection Number: 8176

Plant Parts: leaf with petiole, inflorescence and infructescence

Type Status: Unknown

Collector: Walker, E. H.

Date Collected: June 19, 1966

Determiner / Identified By: Nicolson, D.

Determination / Identification Date: April 1968

Biogeographic Region: Eastern Asia

Country: Japan

Precise Locality: The Ryukyu Islands. Okinawa Island. Okinawa Project. Naha, Tawada's garden.

Cultivated: Yes

Elevation/Altitude: Unknown

Initial ID: Alocasia gageana

Notes: specimen shows variability of leaves on one plant

Link: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/

Image Link

Herbaria Barcode: 00217730 (Harvard)

Plant Parts: Leaf and inflorescence

Type Status: unknown

Collector: M. Celestino

Date Collected: May 28 1948

Determiner / Identified By: Hay, A.

Determination / Identification Date: Jan 1997

Biogeographic Region: Greater Luzon

Country: Philippines

Precise Locality: Mt. Polis, Mountain Province, Luzon / Luzon Island, 6 km. east of Mount Pali (likely referring to Polis?)

Elevation/Altitude: 2042 m

Initial ID: Alocasia atropurpurea

Notes: Flower: Violet-brown

Link: https://kiki.huh.harvard.edu/databases/specimen_search.php?mode=details&id=144519

Image Link

In situ

PHILIPPINES: Luzon; Region: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); Province: Ifugao-Mountain prov. border Mt Polis;

Date: Jan. 5, 2007

Images: Leonardo L. Co

Link: http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Alocasia_atropurpurea&rank=binomial

Habit

Inflorescence

PHILIPPINES: Luzon; Region: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); Province: Ifugao-Mountain prov. border Mt Polis;

Date: Unknown

Images: Lanie Medecilo

Link: None

Habit

Stem or rhizome

Stem nodes

Leaf blade

Adaxial

Abaxial

Adaxial

Inflorescence

Inflorescence structure

Appendix

Male flowers

Female flowers

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