Microchirita in Peninsular Malaysia 
21 
Langkawi, populations of this species are safe from quarrying on the smaller islands. 
However, there also other threats, such as from environmental destruction caused by 
tourism infrastructure and other development activities. The major threats on Gunung 
Baling are also from quarrying. In neighbouring Thailand this species is common and 
widespread (Middleton, pers. comm.). 
Additional specimens examined. PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: Kedah: Gn. Baling, 25 
Nov 1941, Comer s.n. (SING); ibidem, 1 Nov 2008, Imin LRI 63180 (KEP); Gn. Keriang, 
6 Nov 2009, Rafidah LRI 64419 (KEP); Langkawi, Nov 1941, Corner s.n. (SING); ibidem, 
1979, Stone 14294 (KLU); Langkawi, Gua Cerita, 4 Nov 2009, Rafidah LRI 64399 (KEP); 
Langkawi, P. Langgun, 4 Nov 2009, Rafidah FR164397 (KEP); ibidem, 6 Nov 2009, Rafidah 
FR164419 (KEP); ibidem, Feb 1989, Tay 149 (SING); Langkawi, Selat Panchor Air, Ahmad 
Saktian Langgang Cl20 (KLU). Perlis: Bkt. Lagi, 16 Nov 1929, Henderson SFN 22816 
(SING); ibidem, 16 Nov 1929, Henderson SFN 22848 (SING); Gua Cenderawasih, 25 Nov 
1929, Haniff 7559 (SING); ibidem, 9 Jan 2007, Phoon FRI 53210 (KEP, SING); Wang Kelian, 
29 Nov 2000, Kiew RK 5149 (KEP, SING). 
Notes. Microchirita rupestris is not commonly found in Malaysia and has a narrow 
distribution, being found only west of the Main Range. The population from Gunung 
Baling, Kedah, was recorded with whitish flowers. Chirita glasgovii Ridl. is based 
on material collected at Waterloo, Perak but the type material is not distinct from 
Microchirita rupestris. An attempt was made to re-collect the species from a limestone 
area close to the type locality to confirm this decision but this was unsuccessful. 
4. Microchirita ruthiae Rafidah, Nordic J. Bot. 31: 612 (2013). - TYPE: Peninsular 
Malaysia, Kelantan, Jeli, Gunung Reng, 24 October 2009, Rafidah FRI 64385 (holotype 
KEP; isotypes E, SING). (Fig. 2B-H, 3G-H, 8) 
Caulescent, herbaceous, branched plant. Stems pale green or whitish green, flowering 
at c. 10 cm tall, erect or sub-erect to 30 cm, 6-8 mm diam., sparsely to densely hairy, 
internodes 3.5-6.5 cm long, hairs eglandular, whitish. Leaves opposite, decussate; 
petiole pale green, 5-15 mm long, hairs eglandular; lamina ovate or elliptic, 6.5- 
14.5 x 6-6.5 cm, dark green, yellowish green above, pale green to whitish beneath, 
thinly coriaceous, pubescent, base cuneate, sometimes unequal, margin serrate, apex 
acute; midrib sunken above, prominent beneath, lateral veins 6-7 pairs on each side 
of the midrib, hairy, intercostal veins reticulate. Inflorescence epiphyllous (axillary), 
1^1-flowered, flowering from petiole base; bracts absent; pedicels very pale green, 
shortly fused to the petiole, to 5-15 mm long, glandular hairy. Calyx pale green at 
base, dark green towards tip, clasping the corolla tube, lobes 8-10 mm long, 1-2 mm 
wide, apex acute, margin entire, hairy, outer surface glandular and eglandular hairy. 
Corolla tube very sparsely hairy outside, whitish, pale green, or sometimes dull purple, 
2-2.5 cm long, slightly curved, throat very pale green to whitish green, glandular 
hairs above the anthers, glistening; lobes faintly striped, whitish, sometimes very pale 
