Camellia phuongchiana (Theaceae, section Piquetia), a new species from Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam

Quach Van Hoi^1,2, Hoang Thanh Truong³, Truong Quang Cuong⁴, Le Viet Hung⁵, Luong Van Dung⁶,      Vo Quang Trung⁷, Nong Van Duy⁸ and Anthony S. Curry⁹

¹ Technology, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh St. 116, Dalat, 66107, Vietnam; e-mail: quachvanhoi@gmail.com

² School of Natural Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, Sukhanova St. 8, Vladivostok, 690090, Russia

³ Forest Science Institute of Central Highlands and South of Central Vietnam, Vietnamese Academy of

   Forest Science, Dalat City, Lam Dong, Vietnam; e-mail: truonghoangthanhld@gmail.com

⁴ Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Tran Hung Dao St. 5E, Dalat, 66116, Vietnam; e-mail: forestek36a@yahoo.com

⁵ Gung Re Junior High School, Di Linh, Lam Dong, Vietnam; e-mail: leviethung4@gmail.com

⁶ Faculty of Biology, Dalat University, Phu Dong Thien Vuong St. 01, Dalat, 66106, Vietnam;

   e-mail: luongvandungdl@gmail.com

⁷ Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, Vinh Cuu, Dong Nai, Vietnam; e-mail: quangtrungkbt@gmail.com

⁸ Tay Nguyen Institute for Scientific Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology,

   Xo Viet Nghe Tinh St. 116, Dalat, 66107, Vietnam; e-mail: vanduyvshtn@gmail.com

⁹ ACurry|hortbot, 3 Ferguson Road, Springwood, NSW 2777, Australia; e-mail: anthonycurry55@gmail.com

Abstract:

A new species of the genus Camellia (Theaceae, section Piquetia), C. phuongchiana from Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species appears to be morphologically closest to C. honbaensis and C. piquetiana in the section Piquetia, but it differs in having more petals, with both petal surfaces densely pubescent; young branches sparsely pubescent; smaller leaves, with the leaf bases broadly acute or obtuse; longer petioles; and longer and thinner pedicels. Data on phenology, distribution, ecology, and conservation status of the new species are given, and a key to all species of section Piquetia is provided.

Keywords: Critically endangered, endemic, mixed evergreen broadleaf-bamboo forest, umbilicate hila.

Sources: Brittonia, XX(X), 2022, pp. 1–7