Rediscovery of Thismia clavigera (Becc.) F. v. M. (Burmanniaceae)

Abstract

The Burmanniaceous saprophyte originally described as Geomitra clavigera Becc., and known only from the type collection made in Sarawak in 1865, was rediscovered in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia, in November 1979. This second collection appears to match the original in all important respects, and permits a fuller description of the underground parts and seeds, and allows a fuller account of the staminal ring structure. A review of the generic characters indicates that the genus Geomitra should, however, be subsumed within Thismia Griff., and the species therefore is to be called Thismia clavigera (Becc.) F.v.M. Another recent, third, collection of this species, from North Sumatra, is discussed in an addendum.