NOTES ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EURYCOMA SPP. AND ITS STATUS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
ABSTRACT: A study had been carried out on the genus Eurycoma Jack that
aimed to ascertain the diagnostic characteristics of the two species that occur
in Peninsular Malaysia. Samples were collected from 15 localities comprising of
forest reserves and plantations throughout Peninsular Malaysia covering the 5
regions i.e. northern, western, eastern, southern and central. The sampling was
done to capture the morphological variations from different habitat. In
general, morphologically both species were very similar. They could be clearly
distinguished using their fertile parts. Eurycoma longifolia Jack had long,
drooped inflorescences while in E. apiculata A.W. Benn was usually short,
pointed upwards. Small differences were also noted on the leaflet of E.
apiculata where the apex of the leaflet was often abruptly pointed while its
base was rounded with conspicuous petiolule. On contrary, E. longifolia leaflet
apex was usually subacute with its base asymmetrical and decurrent to its petiolule.
In addition, anatomical transverse section of E. longifolia leaflet midrib
outline and margin were dissimilar with E. apiculata by having convex abaxial
surface and blunt tip margin compared to the slightly arc-shape abaxial and tapered
margin in E. apiculata. The abundancy of Eurycoma spp. had decreased.
Author: TAN AI LEE, NURNIDA
MOHD KAMAL, TAN HOOI POAY, IZLAMIRA ROSLAN
Journal Code: jpbiologigg150015
