Zingiber ultralimitale, a new species from Sulawesi 
197 
upper bracts with apex recurved, subulate appendages 6-8 mm long (reminiscent of 
a reduced lamina), finely ciliate especially near margin and apex, glabrous inside. 
Bracteoles ± as long as bracts, longer than calyx, to 4.6 x 1.3 cm (when flattened), split 
to base, margins supervolute, translucent cream at base becoming green towards apex, 
with scattered hairs near margin and along veins, glabrous inside. Calyx c. 2.6 cm 
long, tubular with one incision in upper half, membranous, translucent cream, minutely 
three-toothed at the apex, pubescent at apex. Corolla tube c. 3.5 cm long, white at base, 
becoming pale yellow apically; dorsal corolla lobe narrowly ovate, slightly hollow, c. 
3.4 x 1.2 cm, pale orange-yellow; lateral corolla lobes narrowly ovate, c. 2.5 x 0.7 
cm, adnate c. 3 mm to base of labellum, pale orange-yellow. Labellum obovate, c. 
3.5 x 3-3.5 cm, central lobe c. 3.5 x 2-2.5 cm, bifid, incision c. 8 mm, the two halves 
slightly divergent and recurved, glabrous throughout, pale orange-yellow. Lateral 
staminodes (side lobes) petaloid, c. 2 x 0.8 cm, paler than labellum, and free from 
it. Stamen c. 3 cm long, filament distinct, c. 0.3 cm long, pale orange-yellow, anther 
c. 1.5 cm, crest 1.3-1.6 cm long (when stretched), wrapped around style, incurved, 
pale orange. Anther thecae open along their entire length, ± white. Style pale yellow. 
Stigma tubular with a downwards-facing, ciliate ostiole which holds a droplet, held 
by anther crest; epigynous glands 2, subulate, 4 mm long, pale yellow. Ovary c. 4 x 3 
mm, trilocular, sometimes incompletely so, with axile placentation, ovules c. 25-30, 
pale yellow-green. Fruit not seen. 
Distribution. Only known from the type locality in South Sulawesi. 
Etymology. The specific epithet ultralimitale means ‘on the other side of the border’, 
referring to the occurrence of this species east of Wallace’s Line. 
Ecology and habitat. Limestone cliffs and boulders in forest, lowlands at c. 300 m. 
During the first year of cultivation in Edinburgh, it was discovered that the species has 
a dormancy period during which it survives entirely underground. 
Phenology. Flowering in May-June in cultivation. Our field assistant, Firdaus, checked 
the populations at the type locality in June 2016 and found no leafy shoots. From this 
we infer that the onset of the dry season had already resulted in the plant becoming 
dormant. 
Conservation status. Vulnerable VU Blab(iii) (IUCN, 2001). Abundant at one locality 
along the road inside a national park but the extent of occurrence is estimated as 
<20,000 km 2 . It is known from <10 locations and there is a decline in extent and 
quality of the limestone habitats in Sulawesi. 
Additional specimens examined. INDONESIA: South Sulawesi: Bantimurung National Park, 
along Jalan Poros Maros-Soppeng, 5°2'32.4"S 119°44'9.4"E, 340 m, 23 January 2009, A.D. 
Poulsen et al. 2767 (BO, E); Bantimurung National Park, along Jalan Poros Maros-Soppeng, 
5°2'32.4"S 119°44'9.4"E, 340 m, 23 January 2009, living collection of Poulsen, A.D., Marlina 
