Systematic study of wild musa spp. (Musaceae) and its varieties in Sarawak

A systematic study of wild Musa spp. (Musaceae) and varieties in Sarawak based on morphology and anatomy characteristics was conducted. The study was conducted from September 2004 to October 2005 which covered many of the accessible remote areas of Sarawak. The objectives of this study are to document the distributions of species, to develop field keys based on morphology and anatomy and to discover and describe new taxa. The distributions of the species were recorded manually with positions of reference points determind using GPS. Descriptions of the species were based on the IPGRIIINIBAP - ClRAD descriptors and modification of Argent's method. Seven major characteristics were focused during this study viz. plant appearances, leaves, fruit bunches, male buds, flowers, fruits and seeds. This study revealed that Sarawak is rich in wild Musa species. One hundred and fifty one specimens were collected. Thirty one taxa have been identified which were represented by sixteen species and four unidentified taxa. Three new species (M sakai ana Meekiong, Ipor and Tawan; M juwiniana Meekiong, Ipor and Tawan sp. nov. and M putei Meekiong, Ipor and Tawan sp. nov.) and two new varieties (M acuminata Colla var. sematanensis Meekiong, Ipor and Tawan var. nov. and M borneensis Becc. var. hermaphrodHlora Meekiong, Ipor and Tawan var. nov.) were described. Three species were recorded with large number of variants; M acuminata, M borneensis and M campestris with six, five and three varieties respectively. Distributions of wild Musa species in Sarawak were widespread particularly on the hilly or montane areas. Limbang Division was the richest with 14 taxa, followed by Miri and Kuching with 13 taxa each. The field keys based on 18 ­19 based on morphological and anatomical characteristics were developed