 |
| Ceropegia longicaudata Phonep. & Rodda. in Phonepaseth & Rodda, 2021. |
Abstract
A newly discovered species from central Laos, Ceropegia longicaudata, is here described and illustrated. It is compared with the morphologically similar species Ceropegia cochleata Kidyoo. Ceropegia longicaudata displays clear differences in the leaf pubescence and venation, length of the corolla lobe tips, colour of corolla lobe, and shape of staminal corona lobes. Ceropegia cochleata is newly recorded for the Flora of Laos. A key to the now three species of Ceropegia in Laos is also provided.
Keyword: Ceropegia cochleata, Ceropegia laotica, Ceropegieae, Khammouan, new species, Phoukhaokhouay National Protected Area
 |
| Ceropegia longicaudata Phonep. & Rodda. A. habit; B. open flower; C. longitudinal section of corolla; D. young flower bud; E. corona top view; F. corona side view; G. Pollinarium. Drawn by P. Phonepaseuth from P005 (FOF). |
 |
| Ceropegia longicaudata Phonep. & Rodda. A. habitat; B. habit; C. leaves adaxial and abaxial side; D. tuber; E. flower bud and open flower; F. longitudinal section of corolla; G. corona top view; H. corona from underneath; I. corona side view; J. pollinarium; K. dry flower (specimen). Photos by P. Phonepaseuth from P005 (FOF) |
Ceropegia longicaudata Phonep. & Rodda, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Ceropegia longicaudata is similar to C.
cochleata in having tuberous rootstock and linear
lanceolate laminas. It can be separated by glabrous
leaves without distinct nerves (vs. pubescent with
distinct nerves in C. cochleata), longer corolla lobe tips
(25–30 mm in C. longicaudata vs. 15–20 mm in C.
cochleata), colour of corolla lobe completely bright
green (vs. basally green with reddish brown apex), and
staminal corona lobes distally with recurved diverging
apices (vs. straight and converging).
Etymology. The specific epithet ‘longicaudata’
refers to long corolla lobes that characterize this species.
Distribution. Only known from Phoukhaokhouay
National Protected Area, in Laos. It is found at two
locations, the type locality in Vientiane Province (Fig, 5),
and from a locality 25–30 km eastwards, in
Bolikhamxay Province, where it was photographed by
Bertrand Laville in 2016
(theceropegiablog.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/anew-locality-for-Ceropegia-cochleata).
Ecology and habitat. This species rooted in very thin
soils over large sandstone boulders growing together
with grasses. The plants were climbing over grasses in
open areas partially exposed, at 270–300 m a.s.l.
Flowering August–September.
Vernacular name. ດອກຈິນດາພູເຂົາຄວາຍ ‘Dok
Chinda Phoukhaokhouay’ [Phoukhaokhouay jewelry
flower] (proposed here).
Phongphayboun Phonepaseth and Michele Rodda. 2021. Taxonomic Study of Ceropegia L. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) for The Flora of Laos: One New Species and One New Record from central Laos. Taiwania. 66(1); 93-100.
ພົງໄພບູນ ພອນປະເສີດ
