A book on the Melastoma plant or what is commonly known as ‘senduduk’ is now available to the public.

Titled ‘The Genus Melastoma of Borneo’, the book by Senior Research Botanist at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Dr Wong Khoon Meng, documents 41 species of the plant, including 31 new species.

Dr Wong, when met at the book launch here yesterday, said that 40 species are actually endemic to Borneo island.

“There are 41 species of Melastoma in the book and these are all the species that we have been able to recognize on the island of Borneo,” he said.

On the contents of the book, Dr Wong said that it is strictly taxonomic, supported by information on ecology as well as other attributes such as distribution in different habitats and so on. He said that the research took a little over three years to do.

“This is not the biggest genus of plants known but the size of it, 41 species as we have found today is a little bit surprising because previously under 10 species of plant have been known for Borneo, so there is a quantum jump from 10 to 41,” he said.

Meanwhile, managing director of Natural History Publications (Borneo) which published the book, Datuk CL Chan, said, “it is an unusual book revealing 41 species of a pretty roadside plant genus in Borneo of which 31 are new to science and described for the first time in this book.

“Dr Wong, a renowned tropical botanist, has spent several years researching into these amazing plants and worked out its complex taxonomy in this beautiful book which reveals the incredible biodiversity of Borneo and Sabah that remains so much more to discover.

The book launch was officiated by Tan Jiew Hoe, board member of Gardens by the Bay Singapore and president of the Gardening Society of Singapore.

Tan, in his speech, pointed out that he is happy to see Sabah retaining much of its forest cover and he thanked the state government and its agencies as well as departments for their continued hard work to safeguard and protect the ‘jewels’ of the state.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by The Borneo Post

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]