Science

New Plant Species, Plagiostachys lourdesiae, Discovered in the Philippines



Rudolph Valentino A. Docot, a Filipino scientist and a faculty of Far Eastern University (FEU) has discovered a new plant species called the Plagiostachys lourdesiae (Zingiberaceae). FEU revealed on the first day of October this year that the said species is named after the University’s Chair Emeritus Dr. Lourdes R. Montinola.

The Plagiostachys lourdesiae

The Plagiostachys lourdesiae was discovered by Mr. Docot in 2018 in Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur. He was then granted a Wildlife Gratuitous Permit for conducting a study called the “Establishment of Far Eastern University Herbarium (FEUH): Floristic Assessment in Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape, Zamboanga del Sur”.

A photo of Plagiostachys lourdesiae by Rudolph Valentino Docot

Source: Rudolph Valentino Docot| DENR Zamboanga Peninsula

“Plagiostachys lourdesiae (Zingiberaceae) is most closely related to Plagiostachysescitorii. It is a terrestrial herb growing loose clumps. It is red in color and around 10cm in size. It is classified under the vulnerable category.”

– DENR Zamboanga Peninsula, November 16, 2020

The FEU Research Team conducted their first botanical survey at Mount Timolan Protected Landscape on November 29 to 30 of the year 2018 wherein most of the specimens collected were from the ginger family Zingiberaceae.

Through a tedious process of botanical research, the team has confirmed that Plagiostachys lourdesiae is a new species. It was also been found out that it is endemic to the province of Zamboanga del Sur and Agusan del Sur.

The study about this discovery was published in the Nordic Journal of Botany which is an international journal for the scientific study of plants and of fungi.

Message from DENR

Source: Rudolph Valentino Docot| DENR Zamboanga Peninsula

“Indeed, Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape is a Key Biodiversity Area, not only in terms of flora, but fauna as well. Yet, there are still many more to discover from this protected area and ecotourism spot.

DENR enjoins researchers to rigorously pursue new discoveries of flora and fauna in the protected area because Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape may have many more new species left undiscovered.”

– DENR Zamboanga Peninsula, November 16, 2020

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Source: DENR Zamboanga Peninsula, Far Eastern University (FEU)

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