No.1 XIN HONG, ZHEN-LONG LI, STEPHEN MACIEJEWSKI (U.S.A.), FANG WEN & TRUONG VAN DO (Vietnam)

Didymocarpus puhoatensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Vietnam

PhytoKeys 94:87-93.

ABSTRACT

Didymocarpus puhoatensis, a new species from Vietnam is described and illustrated with photographs. The new species is morphologically similar to D. brevicalyx and D. epithemoides, but can be easily distinguished by a combination of characters. So far, five species have been recorded in the genus Didymocarpus from Vietnam.

Figure 1. Didymocarpus puhoatensis X.Hong & F. Wen A Habitat B Adaxial surface view of leaf blade C Adaxial surface view of leaf blade D Cyme with flowers, showing the bracts E Lateral view of corolla, showing the calyx consisting of a tube.

Figure 2. Flower of Didymocarpus puhoatensis X.Hong & F. Wen A–B Frontal view of corolla, showing the disc-like stigma C Top view of corolla D Upward view of corolla E Opened corolla, showing stamens and staminodes F Pistils without corolla.

Notes: This new taxon is an endemic species from Nghệ An Province: Quế Phong, Thông Thụ, Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. The species grows on limestone rocks in tropical monsoonforest with sufficient seasonal run-off water, at an elevation of 390 m a.s.l. The new species was discovered by Dr. Hong Xin, Dr. Wen Fang from the Gesneriad Conservation Center of China (GCCC), Mr. Stephen Maciejewski from the Gesneriad Society and Dr. Truong Van Do from Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VNMN) in 2014. Didymocarpus puhoatensis distributes much lower in altitude and the habitat is much hotter and more humid than otherspecies with stems of the genus.Its flowers are very big, its color is delightful, and it is the only one species of Didymocarpus which can survive in summer in Guilin. As you known, the maximum of Summer temperature can exceed 40℃in Guilin.