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Pichinia disticha S.Y.Wong & P.C.Boyce

Introduction & Overview

Common and Scientific Names

  • Scientific Name: Pichinia disticha S.Y.Wong & P.C.Boyce
  • Common Name: No widely used common name

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Pichin limestone hills, Sarawak, Borneo
  • Features: Distinctive distichous (two-ranked) leaf arrangement and lithophytic habit

Taxonomy & Classification

  • Genus: Pichinia
  • Botanical Background: Named for its type locality (Pichin, Serian, Sarawak); described by Wong & Boyce in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore (2010).

Natural Habitat & Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Known only from Pichin, Serian, Samarahan Division, Sarawak, Borneo.
  • Environment: Perhumid evergreen limestone forest (100–250 m asl) and lithophyte on exposed rock faces in wet tropical biome.

Morphological Characteristics

Leaves

  • Distichous, oblong‑lanceolate, chartaceous
  • Pale olive-green adaxially, glaucous abaxially
  • Persistent, free ligular petiolar sheath

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

  • Solitary, erect spathe (~8 cm), caducous limb
  • Conico‑cylindric spadix with basal adnate attachment
  • Pollen extruded in strings

Growth Habit

  • Lithophytic subshrub
  • Creeping-to-erect rhizome
  • Monoeuphyllous modules

Cultivation & Care

Light Requirements

  • Bright, indirect light
  • Avoid direct sun

Watering & Humidity

  • Keep substrate moist 
  • Allow top layer to dry
  • Humidity ≥60%

Soil & Potting Mix

  • Well-draining aroid mix (equal parts bark, perlite, peat)

Temperature & Fertilizer

  • 18–27 °C
  • Dilute balanced fertilizer monthly in growing season

Propagation Methods

Division

  • Separate rhizome into sections, each with ≥1 growth bud

Stem Cuttings (if applicable)

  • Cuttings with ≥1 node
  • Root in water or moist perlite

Seeds

  • No data on seed propagation for this species

Common Pests & Diseases

Typical Issues

  • Spider mites, mealybugs
  • Root rot

Treatment Recommendations

  • Wipe leaves
  • Organic insecticide
  • Repot in fresh mix
  • Reduce watering

Notable Traits & Uses

  • Unique shoot architecture enhances litter‑trapping on vertical rock faces
  • Highly prized by collectors for rarity and unusual distichous foliage

Conservation & Availability

Wild Population Status

  • Narrow endemic
  • Potentially vulnerable

Market Availability

  • Extremely rare
  • Seldom offered commercially

References & Resources

Further Reading

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