Barclaya rugosa

Barclaya rugosa is a species of perennial aquatic plant endemic to peninsular Malaysia.

Vegetative characteristics
Barclaya rugosa is an aquatic plant with densely villous, 2–8 cm long, and 1–2 cm wide rhizomes. The rugose, cordate, bright green, petiolate, leaves are 8–17 cm long, and 8–16 cm wide. The green petioles are 5–15 cm long.

Generative characteristics
The 5-6 cm wide diurnal flowers are attached to 10-15 cm long peduncles. The flowers have 40–50 anthers. The gynoecium consists of 9 carpels. The globose, 2 cm wide fruit bears ellipsoid, spiny, 2 mm long seeds. The floral fragrance has been characterised as pungent, fermenting, and as smelling of rotten meat.

Cytology
The diploid chromosome count is 2n= 36.

Vegetative reproduction
Stolons have not been observed.

Generative reproduction
The flowers are day blooming.

Publication
It was first described by Sofiman Othman and Niels Jacobsen in 2022.

Type specimen
The type specimen has been collected in West Malaysia on the 16th of August 1966.

Etymology
The specific epithet rugosa refers to the rugose leaves.

Conservation
It is classified as least concern (LC) under the IUCN criteria.

Habitat
It occurs in shadid habitats with streams, temporary pools, and marshy areas. Seedlings can grow submerged, but mature plants suffer under fully submerged conditions. They are genuinely emergent.

Pollination
It may be pollinated by flies.