DISTRIBUTION, MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION AND NEW VARIETY OF BACCAUREA ANGULATA MERR.(PHYLLANTHACEAE)

Abstract

Baccaurea angulata (belimbing merah) is an endemic species of Borneo. Fruits of Baccaurea angulata are usually utilized as food and local medicine, but up to now the information about its distribution and variation is very scarce. The objectives of the research were to map the distribution, describe the morphological variation, and analyze the phenetics of B. angulata in Natuna Island and Indonesian Borneo, Kalimantan. B. angulata was explored in Natuna Island and four Provinces of Kalimantan (West, East, Central, and South). The distribution was mapped using ArcGIS version 10.3. The distribution pattern was analyzed using the Morishita index. Morphological data of stem, leaves, flower and fruit were used to analyze the phenetics of B. angulata using Simple Matching coefficient, to construct a dendrogram using UPGMA method. B. angulata is randomly distributed in the West and Central of Kalimantan, also in Natuna, but it has a clumped pattern in South and East Kalimantan. The presence of B. angulata in the Ceruk and Limau Manis villages in Natuna Island with local name belimbing besi is a new record. B. angulata is morphologically variable in several characters, i.e. stipule margin, petiole surface, pistillate peduncle colour, and fruit shape. Phenetic analysis based on 20 characters grouped all individuals into three groups with similarity index of 53% according to the shape and fruit taste. The individuals of B. angulata with oval fruits are proposed to constitute a new variety, namely B. angulata Merr. var. globulus Gunawan.