 |
| Beccarinda nhatii V.T.Bui, K.S.Nguyen & C.W.Lin, in Bui, Nguyen et Lin, 2025. |
Abstract
Beccarinda nhatii, a newly discovered species from Lao Cai Province in Northwest Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It exhibits morphological similarities to B. argentea, including elliptic-ovate leaf blades that are covered with subappressed strigose hairs abaxially, ovate bracts, a purple-tint corolla, and glabrous pistil. However, it can be distinguished from B. argentea by its entire leaf margin (vs. crenate to dentate or serrate), glabrous upper leaf surface except for the margin, which features a narrow (ca. 1 mm) zone densely covered with subappressed, curved strigose (vs. whole covered with spreading strigose), and a completely glabrous corolla (vs. sparsely pubescent on the outside). The global conservation status of this new species was tentatively proposed here as Critically Endangered (CR B2ab(iii,V;D)).
Keyword: Beccarinda argentea, Beccarinda tonkinensis, endemism, Gesneriad conservation, plant taxonomy
 |
| Beccarinda nhatii A. Habit. B. Petiole. C, C'. Portion of leaf, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. D. Bracts. E, E'. Flower, front and lateral views. F. Dissected and flattened corolla (stamens remove). G. Calyx, outside view. H. Stamens. I. Stamin, ventral view. J. Pistil. All drawn from the holotype, TVN-LC 007 by Che Wei Lin. |
 |
| Beccarinda nhatii A. Habitat and habit. B. Flattened flowering plants. C. Petiole, leaf and flower buds. D. Portion of leaf, adaxial surface. E. Portion of leaf, abaxial surface. F. Inflorescence. G. Corollas. H. Dissected and flattened corolla, showing stamens adnate to the inner surface of the corolla tube, with staminodes absent. I. Calyx, inside view. J. Stamens, front view of dorsal surface. K. Dissected and flattened stamens, ventral surface. L. Cross section of an ovary. M. Pistil. Photo A by T.V. Nhat, B–M by K.S. Nguyen, from specimens used for preparation of the holotype and isotypes. |
Beccarinda nhatii V.T.Bui, K.S.Nguyen & C.W.Lin, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Beccarinda nhatii resembles B. argentea (J. Anthony) B.L. Burtt (Anthony, 1934; Burtt, 1955) in having elliptic-ovate leaf blades covered abaxially with subappressed strigose hairs, ovate bracts and a glabrous
pistil. However, it differs from B. argentea in possessing
foliage with an entire (vs. crenate to dentate or serrate)
margin, glabrous (vs. spreading strigose) upper leaf blade
surface, and a corolla that is glabrous outside (vs. sparsely
pubescent).
Etymology: The specific epithet honors the first
discoverer and collector, Mr. Trieu Van Nhat.
Vernacular name: Beccarinda is rendered in
Vietnamese as “Nang cự đài”. In this case, the new
species is referred to as “Nang cự đài nhất”.
Van Thanh Bui, Khang Sinh Nguyen and Che Wei Lin. 2025. Beccarinda nhatii (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Lao Cai, northwest Vietnam. Taiwania. 70(4); 694-698. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.694 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2127 [18 October 2025]
