Mapania debilis
Content
Description
Leaves subcoriaceous or coriaceous, linear, slightly narrowed towards the conduplicate base, very gradually narrowed up-wards to the very slender, triquetrous, aculeate-scabrous tip, with the midnerve prominent beneath and some lateral nerves somewhat prominent above, with aculeate-scabrous margins throughout their length, glaucous, up to 90 cm by 5-10 mm;
Inflorescence capitate, when in flower seemingly consisting of a single spikelet, ovoid to subglobose, containing 3-5 very densely packed spikelets, 10-13 mm long.
Flowers as long as the glumes;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present (Sarawak present), E. Borneo present, Mt Dulit present, Mt Matang present, Mt Poi present, N. Borneo present, W. Borneo present, W. Kutei present, near Sandakan present
Malesia: Borneo (Sarawak: Mt Poi, Mt Matang, Mt Dulit; N. Borneo: near Sandakan; E. Borneo: W. Kutei; also collected by TEYSMANN in W. Borneo, without definite locality).
Notes
Both M. debilis and M. gracilipes are known from a single, rather poor collection only. M. flagellaris was separated from them on account of the coriaceous leaves with much longer acumen. As the length of the acumen in the specimens with thicker leaves is variable, and the leaves of M. gracilipes are intermediate in texture between those of M. debilis and M. flagellaris, I think the three should be united, at least provisionally, until more material will be available.