REINWARDTIA Vol 13, No 5, pp: 421−432 421 asymmetrical leaf blade and capsular fruits. Rhyn- choglossum has alternate to nearly distichous leaf arrangement while Loxonia and Stauranthera have opposite leaves in unequal pairs. Different from other genera in the tribe is Monophyllea that bears a single large leaf developed from the macrocotyle- don (Weber, 2004a). Originally Rhynchoglossum was distributed in tropical Asia from India, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan and Indochina to New Guinea (Weber, 2004b) but Burtt (1962) included Klugia Schltdl. in synonymy of Rhynchoglossum thereby extending its distribu- tion to Central and South America from Mexico to Peru. The inclusion of Klugia as a synonym makes the distribution of Rhynchoglossum wider and dis- junct and raises questions about its history. Burtt (1998) suggested that Rhynchoglossum reached America from Asia via Africa from where it has since completely disappeared (or at least where no species are known). Weber (2004a; 2004b) assumed that the genus spread from Asia to America recent- ly, probably via transpacific trips or migrations of early Polynesians. This is also suggested by the cur- rent localities that are usually near former popula- tion centers of ancient dwellers along the Pacific coast. Brown (1839) proposed a new genus Antonia, an INTRODUCTION The genus Rhynchoglossum was established by Blume (1826) with one species, Rynchoglossum obliquum. The epithet Rhynchoglossum comes from the Greek Rhynchos meaning beak and glossa meaning tongue. The second part of the name clear- ly alludes to the broad, tongue-like lower lip of the corolla, the first part perhaps to the narrow corolla tube or to the pointed petal tips (Weber, 2004a). Rhynchoglossum species are fleshy herbs with an- isophyllous, decussate or alternate leaves with asymmetrical leaf blades and unilateral inflo- rescence. The genus is of little economic value but several Botanic Gardens and private gardens grow the plant as an ornamental (Skog, 1985). Its pre- ferred habitat is on wet and shady (especially lime- stone) rocks, in forest or in open vegetation or shady places, usually in the lowlands (Weber, 2004a). Rhynchoglossum is included in the so-called Epi- thematoid Gesneriaceae or in the tribe Epithemate- ae along with Whytockia W.W. Sm., Gyrogyne W.T. Wang, Epithema Blume, Monophyllaea R. Br., Loxonia Jack, and Stauranthera Benth. (Weber, 2004a). Generally these genera share unequal coty- ledons, unequal leaf arrangement at one node, an A REVISION OF RHYNCHOGLOSSUM (GESNERIACEAE) IN MALESIA Received June 26, 2012; accepted October 10, 2013 ABDULROKHMAN KARTONEGORO Herbarium Bogoriense, Botany Division, Research Center for Biology-LIPI, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, Bogor, Indonesia. E-mail: mykwini@gmail.com ABSTRACT KARTONEGORO, A. 2013. A revision of Rhynchoglossum (Gesneriaceae) in Malesia. Reinwardtia 13(5): 421–432. ― The genus Rhynchoglossum in Malesia has been revised. Five species are included: R. borneense, R. capsulare, R. klugioides, R. obliquum and R. spumosum. Rhynchoglossum obliquum is a widespread and common species while the other four are endemic to Malesia. Morphological descriptions, nomenclature, distribution, ecological information and notes are provided for all species. An identification key and a list of examined specimens are included. Key words: Endemic, Epithemateae, synonym nova, widespread. ABSTRAK KARTONEGORO, A. 2013. Revisi Rhynchoglossum (Gesneriaceae) di Malesia. Reinwardtia 13(5): 421–432. ― Mar- ga Rhynchoglossum di Malesia telah direvisi. Lima jenis telah diketahui termasuk: R. borneense, R. capsulare, R. klugi- oides, R. obliquum dan R. spumosum. Rhynchoglossum obliquum merupakan jenis yang tersebar luas dan umum ditemukan sedangkan empat jenis lainnya endemik untuk wilayah Malesia. Deskripsi morfologi, tatanama, distribusi, informasi ekologi dan catatan ditampilkan untuk semua jenis. Kunci identifikasi dan daftar spesimen yang digunakan juga disertakan. Kata kunci: Endemik, Epithemateae, sinonim baru, tersebar.