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| Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin, in Dinh, Nguyen, Duong et Lin, 2026. |
Abstract
Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is morphologically similar especially to S. montana in its erect habit, ovate-lanceolate leaves and the presence of gland-tipped trichomes on the pedicels and hypanthium. It can, however, be readily distinguished by having a quadrangular to obtusely quadrangular stem (vs. terete), acrodromous to subacrodromous venation (vs. pinnate), larger petals up to 16 × 7 mm (vs. up to 9.5 × 6 mm) and 7–8 mm long anthers (vs. ca. 6.5 mm). Sonerila taynguyenensis is also compared with S. tenue. Based on the available data and following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, S. taynguyenensis is tentatively assessed as Least Concern (LC).
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| Sonerila taynguyenensis (from the holotype). A and A': Flowering branches. — B and B': Portion of leaf, adaxial surface. — B”: Portion of leaf, abaxial surface. — C: Portion of stem and petioles. — D and E: Hypanthium close-up. — F–I: Different trichomes in indumentum of reproductive structures. — J and J': Flower, frontal and side views. — K–K”': Stamens, frontal and side views. — L: Bracts. — M–M”: Hypanthiums. — N: Vertical section of ovary. — O: Old capsule. |
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| Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–J from the holotype). A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Dak Rong Commune on 2 March 2025). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Flowering branches. — D and E: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — F: Stem, petioles and portions of leaf. — G: Inflorescences. — H: Flowers, frontal and side views. — I: Stamens. — J: Vertical section of ovary. |
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| Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–G from para-type NHC 20260118006). A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Kbang Commune, Gia Lai Province, 19 January 2026). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — D: Leaf, adaxial surface. — E: Leaf, abaxial surface. — F: Stem and petioles. — G: Cross section of ovary. |
Quang Diep Dinh, Cuong Huu Nguyen, Nam Van Duong and Che-Wei Lin. 2026. Sonerila taynguyenensis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), A New Species from the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 213-219. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0128 (24 August 2026)
