- Forest Biodiversity Division
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
52109 Kepong, Selangor, MALAYSIA - +60362797231
CHUNG, R. C. K. 2001. Taxonomic notes on the Bornean Helicia and Heliciopsis (Proteaceae). This paper is a precursor to the revision of the family Proteaceae for Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak in which 13 species of Helicia and seven... more
CHUNG, R. C. K. 2001. Taxonomic notes on the Bornean Helicia and Heliciopsis (Proteaceae). This paper is a precursor to the revision of the family Proteaceae for Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak in which 13 species of Helicia and seven species of Heliciopsis will be treated. A full description is given for the new combination, Heliciopsis mahmudii. Notes on Helicia petiolaris, Helicia sp. A, Heliciopsis montana and reinstatement of Helicia obovata as a species distinct from Helicia attenuata are provided. A table differentiating Helicia and Heliciopsis is given and an identification list is provided.
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the oldest forest reserve in Malaysia established in 1900, lies in the center of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city. Over time it has been reduced from 17.5 ha to 9.37 ha but still retains important biodiversity.... more
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the oldest forest reserve in Malaysia established in 1900, lies in the center of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city. Over time it has been reduced from 17.5 ha to 9.37 ha but still retains important biodiversity. Its lowland equatorial rain forest has never been logged and tall emergent species to 35 m tall and 124 cm diameter persist. Since 1900, 499 plant species (2 lycophytes, 25 ferns, 39 monocots and 433 dicots) have been recorded. This year-long survey refound 425 species, including the rare Tarenna rudis (Rubiaceae), a local endemic found only in Selangor state. The multi-layered structure of lowland dipterocarp forest (16 Diperocarpaceae species were recorded) is intact. However, with diminishing size, the edge effect is more pronounced with secondary forest species, from trees to herbs, becoming established. In 2009, declared as the KL Forest Eco Park, it is important for its biodiversity, history, accessibility to the public for recreation (forest walks), scientific study, education (natural history, bird-watching, etc), as well as serving as a green lung in the bustling city. Baseline data, such as this survey, enables scientific management that will maintain the forest structure and biodiversity. ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡
Research Interests:
A new species, Brownlowia latifiana (Malvaceae-Brownlowioideae), endemic to Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. This new species has most of its morphological characters that are related to those of the genus... more
A new species, Brownlowia latifiana (Malvaceae-Brownlowioideae), endemic to Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, is
described and illustrated. This new species has most of its morphological characters that are related to those of the genus
Jarandersonia. Therefore, a standard morphological taxonomic revision and morphometric analysis were carried out to
assess the status of Brownlowia latifiana. Results of the morphometric analysis based on morphological characters showed
that Brownlowia latifiana is embedded within the clades of Brownlowia but distanced from the clades Jarandersonia.
Brownlowia formed a distinct clade in the clustering tree well separated from the Jarandersonia. A distribution map and a
conservation assessment using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria are provided.
described and illustrated. This new species has most of its morphological characters that are related to those of the genus
Jarandersonia. Therefore, a standard morphological taxonomic revision and morphometric analysis were carried out to
assess the status of Brownlowia latifiana. Results of the morphometric analysis based on morphological characters showed
that Brownlowia latifiana is embedded within the clades of Brownlowia but distanced from the clades Jarandersonia.
Brownlowia formed a distinct clade in the clustering tree well separated from the Jarandersonia. A distribution map and a
conservation assessment using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria are provided.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Macroscopic and microscopic wood anatomy characteristics of Ceiba pentandra and three species of Bombax (namely B. anceps, B.ceiba and B.valetonii) were studied. The results indicated that Ceiba pentandra can be distinguished from Bombax... more
Macroscopic and microscopic wood anatomy characteristics of Ceiba pentandra and three species of Bombax (namely B. anceps, B.ceiba and B.valetonii) were studied. The results indicated that Ceiba pentandra can be distinguished from Bombax based on the density and wood anatomy characteristics. Wood anatomy characteristics that can be used to separate these two genera are the shape of vessel-ray pit, ray width, sheath cells and mineral inclusion. From the results obtained it shows that Bombax has significantly higher density compared to C. pentandra whilst C. pentandra has wider ray than Bombax. On the other hand, vessel-ray pits with much reduced borders to apparently simple: pits horizontal (scalariform, gash-like) to vertical (palisade) present in Bombax. Whereas, vessel ray-pits with much reduced borders to apparently simple: pits rounded or angular present in C. pentandra. Well marked sheath cells were observed in C. pentandra whilst less pronounced of sheath cells were found in Bombax. Prismatic crystals were found only in non-chambered axial parenchyma in C. pentandra. Whilst the prismatic crystals found in chambered and non-chamberd sometimes revealed in upright/square ray cells in Bombax.
Research Interests:
Malaysia has an estimated 15,000 species of vascular plants. Located in the Malesian region, its affinity is Sundaic, having common elements with Sumatra, Java and Palawan. The two halves of Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia extending from... more
Malaysia has an estimated 15,000 species of vascular plants. Located in the Malesian region, its affinity is Sundaic, having common elements with Sumatra, Java and Palawan. The two halves of Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia extending from mainland Asia and East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo have their own distinct floristic components. Peninsular Malaysia has about 8,200 species of vascular plants and Sabah and Sarawak have an estimated 12,000 species. The flora of Sabah and Sarawak is generally richer than that of Peninsular Malaysia. Due to historical reasons, the flora of Malaysia project is planned in a phased approach. The Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak project, initiated in 1991, represents the first systematic modern attempt to document some of the important plant families of these two states. It would take at least another ten years to complete this project. It is estimated that the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia project, initiated in 2005, will take at least 20 years to complete. To achieve these ambitions, there must be continual support in skilled manpower and fund allocations.
Research Interests:
Wood anatomy of the monotypic genus of Kostermansia and 13 species of Durio from Malaysia were studied. The results indicated that Kostermansia can be distinguished from Durio as opposed from the studies by other researchers who stated... more
Wood anatomy of the monotypic genus of Kostermansia and 13 species of Durio from Malaysia were studied. The results indicated that Kostermansia can be distinguished from Durio as opposed from the studies by other researchers who stated that Kostermansia is identical to Durio. Characters that can be used to separate these genera are wood density, vessel arrangement, ray height, ray width, the shape and size of intervessel pits, size of vessel-ray pits and mineral inclusion. The presence of prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma and occasionally in tile cells was observed in Kostermansia. On the other hand, in Durio the presence of prismatic crystals in chambered and non-chambered axial parenchyma was observed in 10 species studied, whilst the silica was absent. However, in the other three species which were D. griffithii, D. grandiflorus and D. excelsus showed present of silica, whilst crystal was absent. The silica in these three species present in the axial parenchyma, occasionally in tile cells and procumbent ray cells.
Research Interests:
Pulau Babi Tengah is a small granitic island, ca. 106 ha, lying off the south-east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Except for plantation of coconut trees in the early 1900s and deforestation by refugees during the Vietnamese civil war,... more
Pulau Babi Tengah is a small granitic island,
ca. 106 ha, lying off the south-east coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. Except for plantation of coconut trees in the
early 1900s and deforestation by refugees during the
Vietnamese civil war, 1975–1981, the island has not been
affected by human development and very few species
have been introduced. Recently, a tourist resort has
opened in the south and has initiated activities for the
conservation of biodiversity. As part of that commitment,
an exhaustive inventory of all terrestrial vascular plants
has been done. The flora contains 312 taxa with 252
genera and 101 families. Several rare species, known only
from this group of islands in Peninsular Malaysia, are
recorded, as well as four Peninsular Malaysian endemic
species. The most striking characteristic of Pulau Babi
Tengah is the rarity of the exotic element, which is
restricted to the anthropic areas.
ca. 106 ha, lying off the south-east coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. Except for plantation of coconut trees in the
early 1900s and deforestation by refugees during the
Vietnamese civil war, 1975–1981, the island has not been
affected by human development and very few species
have been introduced. Recently, a tourist resort has
opened in the south and has initiated activities for the
conservation of biodiversity. As part of that commitment,
an exhaustive inventory of all terrestrial vascular plants
has been done. The flora contains 312 taxa with 252
genera and 101 families. Several rare species, known only
from this group of islands in Peninsular Malaysia, are
recorded, as well as four Peninsular Malaysian endemic
species. The most striking characteristic of Pulau Babi
Tengah is the rarity of the exotic element, which is
restricted to the anthropic areas.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Malvaceae and Bombacaceae
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Malaysia and Bombacaceae
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project is to produce a complete, updated and comprehensive flora for all vascular plants based on original research. Of particular importance is nomenclature and typification, always a difficulty for... more
Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project is to produce a complete, updated and comprehensive flora for all vascular plants based on original research. Of particular importance is nomenclature and typification, always a difficulty for taxonomists working in the tropics where libraries are not comprehensive and type specimens are not always available. With the accumulation of data since Ridley’s time and the opportunity of examining living plants, the species descriptions will be more detailed and precise than those in either Ridley’s flora or the Tree Flora. The Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, which will include naturalized species but not cultivated plants, is estimated to number about 8,300 vascular plant species. This remains an estimate because there are new species still to be described and it is likely that some species will prove to be conspecific with already described species.
Research Interests:
A wood anatomy study was carried out on 10 Durio species. Three species, namely D. griffithii, D. grandiflorus and D. excelsus were included, and these species were previously placed in the genus Boschia. Findings have shown presence of... more
A wood anatomy study was carried out on 10 Durio species. Three species, namely D. griffithii, D. grandiflorus and D. excelsus were included, and these species were previously placed in the genus Boschia. Findings have shown presence of prismatic crystals in chambered and non-chambered axial parenchyma in seven Durio species studied, whilst silica was absent. However, in the other three species (D. griffithii, D. grandiflorus and D. excelsus) silica was present, whilst crystal was absent. The presence of this mineral inclusion in these three species was not good taxonomic character at generic level and cannot be used to distinguish Boschia from Durio. Therefore, Durio is suggested to be maintained based on findings in this study. There is no diagnostic wood anatomical characteristic that can be used to differentiate species in Durio. As a conclusion the wood anatomy alone does not aid in delimiting species in Durio.