Barclaya kunstleri

Barclaya kunstleri is a species of aquatic plant native to Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore. It is disputed. By some, it is treated as synonym of Barclaya motleyi, but by others it is regarded as a separate species.

Vegetative characteristics
Barclaya kunstleri is an aquatic plant with slim, stoloniferous, villous, 2–4 cm long, and 0.5 cm wide rhizomes. The stolons can exceed 50 cm in length. The petiolate, ovate to circular, bright green leaves are 5–10 cm long and 6–10 cm wide. The green, pubescent to glabrous petioles are 5–10 cm long.

Generative characteristics
The nocturnal, 5–6 cm wide flowers are attached to 10–20 cm long peduncles. The outer tepals are 2.5–3.0 cm long, and the 3-4 inner tepals are 1 cm long. The flowers have 20-30 anthers. The stigmatic cup has 8-10 carpellary appendages. The globose to elongate, 1 cm long fruit bears echinate, ellipsoid, 1 mm long, and 0.5 mm wide seeds.

Cytology
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 36.

Vegetative reproduction
It can reproduce vegetatively through the formation of stolons.

Publication
It was first described as Barclaya motleyi var. kunstleri King by George King in 1889. Later, it was elevated to the status of a separate species Barclaya kunstleri (King) Ridl. by Henry Nicholas Ridley in 1922.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by Hermann H. Kunstler (1837-1887) in West Malaysia in July 1885.

Classification status
The status of this species is disputed. It is rejected by some, but accepted by others.

Etymology
The specific epithet kunstleri honours Hermann H. Kunstler.

Conservation
It is classified as data deficient (DD) under the IUCN criteria.

Habitat
It occurs in small mountain streams with sandy, or muddy substrates.