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Ptyssiglottis kunthiana (Wall. ex Nees) B.Hansen. A. Flowering plant. B. Plant in habitat. C. Open fruits. D. Pollen grains. From Niissalo & Choo SING2020-935. (Photos: M. Niissalo).
Source publication
As part of a project to sample tissue from all native vascular plants in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, we collected material from four species that have not been previously recorded in Singapore. Of these, Nervilia singaporensis Niissalo has already been described as a new species, native to Singapore. Two species, Lepidogyne longifolia (Blume) Blume...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... original material of Lepidogyne minor could be traced. The cited collection Schlechter 19930 from what is now Papua New Guinea, 'Bergwälder bei Jaduna' [forests near Jaduna], c. 500 m, June 1909, was presumably destroyed in B. The neotype designated here is possibly an illustration of Schlechter 19930 as no other material is known. 214 (1989)). (Fig. 2-4). A scrambling forest herb with a loose rhizome which leads to upright stems to 50 cm tall. Stems thickened above the nodes. Leaves opposite, usually equal; blade oblanceolate, c. 13 × 5 cm, base narrow and rounded-auriculate, tip acuminate, margin sparsely crenate, green, with short strigose hairs near veins on the abaxial surface, and ...
Context 2
... original material of Lepidogyne minor could be traced. The cited collection Schlechter 19930 from what is now Papua New Guinea, 'Bergwälder bei Jaduna' [forests near Jaduna], c. 500 m, June 1909, was presumably destroyed in B. The neotype designated here is possibly an illustration of Schlechter 19930 as no other material is known. 214 (1989)). (Fig. 2-4). A scrambling forest herb with a loose rhizome which leads to upright stems to 50 cm tall. Stems thickened above the nodes. Leaves opposite, usually equal; blade oblanceolate, c. 13 × 5 cm, base narrow and rounded-auriculate, tip acuminate, margin sparsely crenate, green, with short strigose hairs near veins on the abaxial surface, and ...
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Citations
Societal Impact Statement
Cities present a unique challenge for conservation. While overall native biodiversity is reduced, remnant habitats in the urban matrix can be important refugia for native and endemic species. This study reviews the rediscovery of 173 presumed nationally extinct plant taxa and discovery of 155 new native plant records, including 22 new to science and five endemics, in the botanically densely‐collected tropical city‐state of Singapore. The findings of this study indicate that plant rediscoveries and new discoveries are still possible in cities and urban areas with remaining fragments of original forest reserved for species protection, and investment in comprehensive botanical surveys and taxonomic research.
Summary
The conservation of native species‐dominated forest fragments and investment into botanical surveys and taxonomic research have enabled the rediscovery of presumed nationally extinct plant taxa and discovery of new native plant records in the tropical city‐state of Singapore.
We compared national plant checklists of 2009, 2022, and the national Red Data Book (third edition in press) to enumerate rediscovered and newly discovered native vascular plant taxa in the last 14 years. We examined if these were from taxonomic specialist redetermination of only pre‐existing specimens or newly collected from field surveys, and if they were from particular sites and vegetation types, disproportionately represented by certain life forms and families, and predominantly threatened.
We documented 173 rediscoveries and 155 new records after 2009, including 22 new to science and five endemics. Most rediscoveries were newly collected from field surveys, but most new records resulted from redetermination of pre‐existing specimens. Native species‐dominated forest fragments were the most important sites for the first collection of new records or first re‐collection of rediscoveries. Trees and climbers were well‐represented among the rediscoveries and new records. Epiphytes were significantly under‐represented compared to their proportion in the presumed nationally extinct flora. Most rediscoveries and new records are nationally Critically Endangered but regionally and globally not assessed.
Our findings indicate hope for the persistence of rare native plant species and opportunities for conservation in cities.
