Journal article
Rinorea niccolifera (Violaceae), a new, nickel-hyperaccumulating species from Luzon Island, Philippines
Edwino S Fernando, Marilyn O Quimado, Augustine I Doronila
PHYTOKEYS | PENSOFT PUBLISHERS | Published : 2014
Abstract
A new, nickel-hyperaccumulating species of Rinorea (Violaceae), Rinorea niccolifera Fernando, from Luzon Island, Philippines, is described and illustrated. This species is most similar to the widespread Rinorea bengalensis by its fasciculate inflorescences and smooth subglobose fruits with 3 seeds, but it differs by its glabrous ovary with shorter style (5 mm long), the summit of the staminal tube sinuate to entire and the outer surface smooth, generally smaller leaves (3-8 cm long × 2-3 cm wide), and smaller fruits (0.6-0.8 cm diameter). Rinorea niccolifera accumulates to >18,000 µg g(-1) of nickel in its leaf tissues and is thus regarded as a Ni hyperaccumulator.
Grants
Funding Acknowledgements
This study is part of the Program on the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Mining Areas through Phytotechnologies which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). Permission to collect plant specimens for scientific research was covered by Gratuitous Permit Nos. 199 and 211 issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) of the Philippines. The Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation is gratefully acknowledged for allowing access to their mining concession and for help with providing on-site transport logistics. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.