Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 69(1): 1-31. 2017 
doi: 10.3850/S201009811600002X 
1 
Taxonomy and conservation status of Microchirita 
(Gesneriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia 
A.R. Rafidah 
Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 
52109 Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia 
rah dahar @fr im. go v. my 
ABSTRACT. A revision of Microchirita (C.B.Clarke) Yin Z.Wang (Gesneriaceae) in Malaysia 
is presented as a precursory paper for the Flora of Peninsular Malay sia account. The taxonomic 
treatment includes a key for identification, detailed descriptions of the species, information on 
seed morphology (illustrated by Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs), and a discussion 
on distributions, including maps, and the conservation status for each species. 
Keywords. Chirita, limestone, seed morphology, SEM 
Introduction 
The genus Microchirita (C.B.Clarke) Yin Z.Wang was raised by Wang et al. (2011) 
from Chirita section Microchirita C.B.Clarke based on molecular phylogenetic 
studies by Moller et al. (2009) and Wang et al. (2011). This change of status was 
also supported by Weber et al. (2011). Microchirita comprises approximately 28 
species in India (Western Ghats and NE India), southern China, Indochina, Myanmar, 
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo (Sarawak) and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, 
Bali and Sumba). The highest concentration of species is in Thailand (Weber et al., 
2011; Middleton & Triboun, 2013; Puglisi et al., 2016). Of the six taxa recognised in 
Peninsular Malaysia two are endemic, Microchirita ruthiae Rafidah and M. sericea 
(Ridl.) A. Weber & Rafidah (Rafidah, 2011). Microchirita species are herbs that usually 
grow in forest or on exposed rocks in the open or in light shade. In Malaysia, the genus 
is restricted to limestone areas (Henderson, 1939; Kiew, 2009). 
In preparation for the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia account, complete 
descriptions of all Malaysian Microchirita species were prepared. The aim of the study 
was to examine morphological characters in detail, including ones that in previous 
descriptions were incompletely described, through the observation of living plants and 
herbarium specimens. These characters include colour, stigma form, hairs on corolla, 
and seeds. Furthermore, the distribution and the conservation status of each species is 
assessed. Recommendations have been made regarding their long-term protection. 
