[Botany • 2026] Firmiana laotica (Malvaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Karst, Khammouane Province, central Laos and Five New Records for the Flora of Laos

 

Firmiana laotica Sengthong, Soulad. & Tagane,

in Sengthong, Tagane, Souladeth, Dang, Yamamoto, Souvannakhoummane, Kongxaisavath, Phengmala, Tanaka et Pham, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202523 

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Abstract

A new species, Firmiana laotica (Malvaceae), and five new records, Justicia oreophila (Acanthaceae), Aganosma wallichii (Apocynaceae), Colebrookea oppositifolia (Lamiaceae), Myristica yunnanensis (Myristicaceae), and Brachytome hainanensis (Rubiaceae) are reported for the flora of Laos. Voucher specimens, photographs, and ecological information in Laos are provided for each species.

Keywords: Central Laos, Firmiana laotica, flowering plants, Nam Kading NPA, Phou Hin Poun NP

Firmiana laotica Sengthong, Soulad. & Tagane.
A, habitat. B & C, habit. D, leafy twig. E, lower leaf surface. F, inflorescence. G, staminate flower. H & I, pistillate flowers. J, young fruits. All photos by Shuichiro Tagane.

Firmiana laotica Sengthong, Soulad. & Tagane, sp. nov. 

ປໍຜາລາວ

  Firmiana laotica is similar to F. fulgens (Wall. ex Mast.) K.Schum., but distinguished by leaf lobe apex (long-acuminate to caudate in F. laotica vs. acute to obtuse F. fulgens), lower leaf surface color (glaucous vs. not glaucous), depth of calyx lobes (lobed (1/3−)1/2 of calyx length vs. lobed 1/3–1/4 of calyx length), and number of stamens (15 in 5 groups of 3 vs. 20 or 25 in 5 groups of 4 or 5).

 

 Anousone Sengthong, Shuichiro Tagane, Phetlasy Souladeth, Van-Son Dang, Takenori Yamamoto, Keooudone Souvannakhoummane, Deuanta Kongxaisavath, Kajonesuk Phengmala, Nobuyuki Tanaka and Quoc Trong Pham. 2026. A New Species and Five New Records for the Flora of Laos. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica. 77(1); 23-34. DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202523 

 

ຂໍແນະນຳພືດຊະນິດໃໝ່ຂອງໂລກ ຈາກນິເວດພູຫິນປູນ (ບ້ານກອງລໍ ເຂດປ່າປ້ອງກັນພູໄຮ ແລະ The Rock at Phuphamarn ເມືອງຄູນຄຳ ແຂວງຄຳມ່ວນ)

ມີຊື່ວິທະຍາສາດ Firmiana laotica Sengthong, Soulad. & Tagane

ແລະ ໄດ້ໃຫ້ຊື່ລາວວ່າ ປໍຜາລາວ

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[Botany • 2018] Sciaphila lambirensis (Triuridaceae) • A new mycoheterotrophic plant from Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

 

Sciaphila lambirensis Suetsugu, 

in Suetsugu. 2018.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.201805

Borneo is known to harbor the greatest species diversity of the mycoheterotrophic genus Sciaphila (Triuridaceae) and is home to 11 species, including five endemics. Here, another undescribed Sciaphila species, Sciaphila lambirensis, which was discovered during a botanical survey in Lambir Hills National Park (Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia) is reported along with a detailed morphological account. Sciaphila lambirensis is similar to S. brevistyla in having six equal perianth segments with a swollen apex bearing long hairs in both staminate and carpellate flowers. However, it is easily distinguishable by the secund arrangement of the flowers and the pedicel slightly recurved at its apex. A key to the species of Sciaphila in Borneo is provided.

Key words: Lambir Hills National Park, mycoheterotrophy, new species, taxonomy 

Sciaphila lambirensis Suetsugu, sp. nov.

Kenji Suetsugu. 2018. Sciaphila lambirensis (Triuridaceae), a new mycoheterotrophic plant from Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica. 69(3); 175-180. DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.201805

[Botany • 2025] Spatholirion wuorum (Commelinaceae) • A New Species from Thai Nguyen Province in North Vietnam

  

Spatholirion wuorum C. W. Lin & C. H. Nguyen,

in Lin et Nguyen. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202420 

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Abstract

A new species of Spatholirion (Commelinaceae), S. wuorum, from North Vietnam is here described and illustrated. Spatholirion wuorum resembles S. cucphuongense in its dwarf habit and variegated leaves, but differs in having (sub)appressed sericeous or tomentose petioles (vs. retrorse velutinous), lamina sparsely pilose on the adaxial surface (vs. minutely appressed puberulous), the staminate part of the inflorescence a panicle (vs. raceme), and the sepals and petals whitish green or very pale creamy white tinged grayish mauve towards the apex (vs. uniformly dark indigo).

 

Keywords: biodiversity, Commelinaceae, endemism, Indochina, plant taxonomy, Spatholirion wuorum, tropical broad-leaved forest

Spatholirion wuorum C. W. Lin & C. H. Nguyen, sp. nov. 

 Spatholirion wuorum is somewhat similar to S. cucphuongense in being a dwarf rhizomatous herb with ovate, colorful leaves and a hairy inflorescence. However, S. wuorum differs in having appressed or subappressed sericeous stems and petioles (vs. retrorsely velutinous stems and petioles in S. cucphuongense), the adaxial surface of the lamina scattered erect pilose (vs. minutely appressed puberulous), the staminate part of the inflorescence a panicle (vs. a raceme), and the sepals whitish green or very pale creamy white tinged grayish mauve towards the apex (vs. dark indigo).

Etymology. The specific epithet honors the first author’s maternal family, the ‘Wu’ family, particularly his grandmother Hsiu-E Wu Chen (吳陳綉娥), grandfather Tsung-Chi Wu (吳宗琦), mother Yi-Ching Wu (吳怡靖), aunts Yi-Min Wu and Hung-Me Wu (吳怡敏 & 吳宏美) and uncles Hung-Kuan Wu and Hung-Cheng Wu (吳宏寬 & 吳宏正), who have always supported his interest in natural organisms and research.

Che-Wei Lin and Cuong Huu Nguyen. 2025. Spatholirion wuorum (Commelinaceae), A New Species from Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen Province in North Vietnam. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 76(1); 13–20. DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202420 [2025/03/07]

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[Botany • 2024] Primula shimokitana (Primulaceae) • A New Species from the Northernmost Honshu Island, Japan

Primula shimokitana Mas. Yamam.,  

in Yamamoto. 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202407

 Researchgate.net/publication/382738761

Reexamination of the primrose on the Shimokita Peninsula, northernmost Honshu, Japan, which has been treated as Primula modesta Bisset & Moore showed that it is closely related to P. sorachiana Miyabe & Tatew., endemic to Hokkaido, based on morphology and phylogenetic investigations. However, it can be distinguished from P. sorachiana by its smaller stature, flowering scape shorter than leaves, base of bracts non-saccate, larger and fewer flowers, and shallowly parted calyx lobes. Based on the results, the plants from the Shimokita Peninsula are described as a new species, P. shimokitana Mas. Yamam. 

Keywords: Aomori Prefecture, Primula modesta, Primula sorachiana, section Aleuritia, Shimokita Peninsula

Habit and habitat of Primula shimokitana.
 A, habit at flowering. B–D, habitat [B & C. Okoppe (type locality); D. Higashidoori].

All photos taken in 2023.

Holotype and morphology of Primula shimokitana.
 A. type specimens. B, leaves. C, calyx. D, pin flower. E, thrum flower. F, scape, bracts and pedicels. G, capsules.

Primula shimokitana Mas. Yamam., sp. nov. 

Similar to P. sorachiana Miyabe & Tatew. but distinguished by multiple characteristics, including smaller stature, flowering scape shorter than the leaves, base of bracts not saccate, larger and fewer flowers per inflorescence and shallowly parted calyx lobes.

 Etymology. The epithet ‘shimokitana’ refers to the locality where the type specimen was collected: Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. 

Japanese name. Shimokita-kozakura (nov.).

 Masaya Yamamoto. 2024. Primula shimokitana (Primulaceae): A New Species from the Northernmost Honshu Island, Japan. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 75(2); 37–49. DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202407

 Researchgate.net/publication/382738761_Primula_shimokitana_A_New_Species_from_the_Northernmost_Honshu_Island_Japan

[Botany • 2022] Ribes fujisanense (Grossulariaceae) • A New obligate epiphytic Species discovered in Central Japan

Ribes fujisanense S. Sakag. & Mit. Oishi,

in Sakaguchi, Oishi, Takahashi, Matsuo, Hirota, Suyama et Setoguchi, 2022.

  DOI: 10.18942/apg.202109 

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Abstract

Ribes fujisanense S. Sakag. & Mit. Oishi (Grossulariaceae), an obligate epiphytic gooseberry, is described here for the first time. It is narrowly endemic in the cool-temperate forests of Mt. Fuji and adjacent areas of central Japan. Ribes fujisanense is morphologically most similar to R. ambiguum Maxim., but is distinguished by the reddish apex of the calyx lobes, branchlets armed with prickles, petioles with long glandular trichomes and more deeply lobed leaf blades. Phylogenetic analysis based on genome- wide markers showed that the two species are considerably divergent, even though R. fujisanense fully overlaps the distribution of the wide-ranging R. ambiguum, indicating that they are biologically isolated species.

Keywords: epiphyte, Grossulariaceae, Ribes, SNPs, taxonomy

Ribes fujisanense S. Sakag. & Mit. Oishi, sp. nov. 

Similar to Ribes ambiguum Maxim., but distinguished by multiple characteristics including color of the calyx lobes (pale greenish with apex tinged reddish in R. fujisanense vs. entirely pale greenish in R. ambiguum), branchlets (armed with prickles vs. unarmed), trichomes on abaxial surface of petiole (long glandular vs. short non-glandular or rarely glabrous), and leaf blade (deeply lobed and tender vs. shallowly lobed and robust); phylogenetically independent from R. ambiguum; restricted to cool-temperate cloud forests (1,300–1,750 m a.s.l.) on Mt. Fuji and surrounding areas of central Honshu, Japan.

  

Shota Sakaguchi, Mitsuru Oishi, Daiki Takahashi, Ayumi Matsuo, Shun K. Hirota, Yoshihisa Suyama and Hiroaki Setoguchi. 2022. Ribes fujisanense (Grossulariaceae): A New obligate epiphytic Species of Gooseberry Discovered in Central Japan.   Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 73(1); 49-56. DOI: 10.18942/apg.202109

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 www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/apg/73/1/73_202109/_pdf/-char/en

  

[Botany • 2017] Trigonostemon honbaensis (Euphorbiaceae) • A New Species from Mt. Hon Ba, Southern Vietnam

 Trigonostemon honbaensis Tagane & Yahara,  

in Tagane, Yahara, Dang, Toyama et Tran, 2017.

  Researchgate.net/publication/327069816

A new species, Trigonostemon honbaensis Tagane & Yahara (Euphorbiaceae), sp. nov., from Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. DNA barcoding data of the rbcL and matK regions is provided. Trigonostemon honbaensis is most similar to T. longifolius Baill. ex Müll.Arg., but distinguished by its less hairy leaves, truncate leaf base (attenuate to obtuse in T. longifolius), larger petals, shorter staminal column, and anthers lacking appendages.

Key words: Euphorbiaceae, Hon Ba Nature Reserve, new species, Trigonostemon, Vietnam

 Trigonostemon honbaensis Tagane & Yahara, sp. nov.
A, flowering branch; B, portion of abaxial surface of leave; C, top branch; D, inflorescence; E & F, staminate flowers. 

A–E: 23 February 2014. 

 Scale bars G = 10 cm; H = 5 mm; J & K = 0.5 mm.

  Shuichiro Tagane, Tetsukazu Yahara, Van-Son Dang, Hironori Toyama and Hop Tran. 2017. Trigonostemon honbaensis (Euphorbiaceae), A New Species from Mt. Hon Ba, Southern Vietnam. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 68(1): 39–44. 

  Researchgate.net/publication/327069816_Trigonostemon_honbaensis_a_new_species_from_Mt_Hon_Ba_southern_Vietnam

[Botany • 2016] Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Central Myanmar

 Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng, 

in Tanaka & Peng, 2016. 

DOI:  10.18942/apg.201608 

 Researchgate.net/publication/310463708

Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng (Begoniaceae), a new species from central Myanmar is described and illustrated. The presence of a rhizome, basal protandrous staminate flowers and distal pistillate flowers, 2-locular ovaries and placentas with two branches place it in sect. Platycentrum A. DC. It is somewhat similar to Begonia thomsonii A. DC., which was described from India, but is also in northern Myanmar. Begonia togashii, however, is distinct in having sub-symmetric basal leaves with a glabrous upper surface, 3-tepalled carpellate flowers and glabrous capsules. Thus far B. togashii is known only from Myanmar.

Key words: Begonia, Begoniaceae, new species, Myanmar, sect. Platycentrum

 Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng.
A, habit in cultivation; B, stipule; C, bract; D, staminate flowers showing variation in tepal number; E, carpellate flowers, front and side views; F, fruit; H, cross section of immature fruit showing two locules and axile placentation.

Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng, sp. nov.

Distribution. Known only from Mandalayand Shan State, central and eastern Myanmar.

Etymology. The specific epithet “togashii” honors Makoto Togashi, who explored Burma in1978.

Nobuyuki Tanaka and Ching-I Peng. 2016. Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae: Sect. Platycentrum), A New Species from Central Myanmar. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 67(3); 191–197.  DOI:  10.18942/apg.201608

  Researchgate.net/publication/310463708_Begonia_togashii_a_New_Species_from_Central_Myanmar

[Botany • 2019] Acranthera collina (Rubiaceae) • A Splendid New Species from the Serikin Area, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

 Acranthera collina C. W. Lin & C. H. Lee

in Lin & Lee, 2019

DOI: 10.18942/apg.201904  

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 Acranthera collina (Rubiaceae), a new species from Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, is described and illustrated. Acranthera collina resembles A. bullata Merr. but is easily distinguished by its ca. 10 pairs of lateral veins (vs. 13–15 pairs), 6-merous flowers (vs. 5-merous), golden yellow corolla (vs. red) and anthers ca. 5 mm long (vs. 10 mm long).

Key words: Acranthera, Borneo, new species, Rubiaceae, Sarawak

Fig. 2.  Acranthera collina C. W. Lin & C. H. Lee.
 A. Habit; B. Stipule; C. Bract; D. Corolla, face view; E. Calyx and ovary; F. Vertical section of ovary; G. Vertical section of corolla; H. Stamens; I. Stamens and style; J & J'. Stamens, ventral and side views; K. Style; L. Fruit.

Fig. 3.  Acranthera collina C. W. Lin & C. H. Lee.
 A & B. Habit and habitat; C. Stem, showing stipules; D. Inflorescence; E. Portion of adaxial leaf surface; F. Portion of abaxial leaf surface; G. Basal part of corolla; H. Vertical section of corolla; I. Stamens and style (left), side (center) and ventral (right) views of stamen; J. Ovary and calyx, also showing vertical section of ovary; K. Fruits; L. Vertical section of an immature fruit.

Acranthera collina C. W. Lin & C. H. Lee, sp. nov.

Acranthera collina resembles A. bullata Merr. (1937: 284) in having bullate obovate leaves, a short stature and an erect habit, but differs in having fewer lateral veins (10 or 11 pairs in A. collina vs. 13–15 pairs in A. bullata), 6-merous flowers (vs. 5-merous), golden yellow corolla (vs. red), and smaller anthers (ca. 5 mm long in A. collina vs. 10 mm long).

Distribution and habitat. Endemic to Sarawak. Currently known only from the Serikin area (Fig. 1); lowlands in mixed dipterocarp forest on riverbank and at base of limestone hills in semi-shaded and consistently humid areas, ca. 100 m elevation. 

Etymology. the epithet collina refers to the lowland mountains where Acranthera collina was collected.

Che-Wei Lin and Chi-Hung Lee. 2019. Acranthera collina (Rubiaceae), A Splendid New Species from the Serikin Area, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 70(3); 189–194. DOI: 10.18942/apg.201904  

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[Botany • 2018] Cerasus kumanoensis (Rosaceae) • A New Species from the Southern Kii Peninsula, Japan

Cerasus kumanoensis  T. Katsuki 

in Katsuki, 2018

 DOI: 10.18942/apg.201801 

A new species, Cerasus kumanoensis T. Katsuki (Rosaceae), sp. nov., is described from the southern Kii Peninsula, Japan. It is similar to C. jamasakura var. jamasakura and C. leveilleana because the corymbose inflorescences and extended peduncle are identical in these three taxa. However, C. kumanoensis is distinguished by several morphological and phenological characteristics, an earlier flowering period, narrowly ovate and smaller leaf blade (4–8 cm long, 1.8–3.6 cm wide) and glabrous petiole and pedicel.

Key words: Cerasus kumanoensis, flowering cherry, flowering period, Japan, Kii Peninsula

Fig. 1. Cerasus kumanoensis, sp. nov. 
A, shape of tree in full bloom (in Kumano on 9 Apr. 2017, TFA HAD-000288); B, hypanthium and calyx lobes [in Kozagawa on 21 Mar. 2017, TI00012970 (holotype)]; C–E, flower (C in Kumano on 9 Apr. 2017, TFA HAD-000295, D in Kushimoto on 21 Mar. 2017, FA HAD-000213, E in Kumano on 14 Mar. 2017, TFA HAD000190); F, mature fruit (in Kumano on 28 May 2017, TFA HAD-000295); G, leaves on short shoot (TI00012971).

Toshio Katsuki. 2018. A New Species, Cerasus kumanoensis from the Southern Kii Peninsula, Japan. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 69(2); 119-126. DOI: 10.18942/apg.201801

[Botany • 2017] Lagerstroemia ruffordii • A New Species (Lythraceae) from Vietnam and Cambodia

Lagerstroemia ruffordii   T. T. Pham & Tagane

in Pham, Tagane, Chhang, et al, 2017.

 DOI 10.18942/apg.201705 

Abstract

A new species of Lagerstroemia ruffordii T. T. Pham & Tagane (Lythraceae) from Vietnam and Cambodia is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to L. petiolaris in having petioles more than 0.9 cm long, but distinguished mainly by its narrower leaves, larger flowers and distinctly 6-ridged calyx tube. DNA barcodes of the two chloroplast regions of rbcL and matK and one ITS of nuclear ribosomal DNA are also provided.

Keywords: DNA barcoding, Indochina, Lagerstroemia, Lythraceae, new species

Fig. 2. Lagerstroemia ruffordii T. T. Pham & Tagane from Vietnam (A–F) and Cambodia (G–I).

A, Habit; B, trunk; C, Leafy twig (adaxial side); D, leafy twig (abaxial side); E, flower; F. fruits; G. fruiting branch: H, abaxial leaf surface; I, fruits.

 [Photographs by Pham T. T. on 29 March 2016 for Pham T. T. & Nguyen T. T. 16032901 (A–F) and by S. Tagane on 1 November 2016 for Tagane et al. 6971 (G–I)].

Vernacular name in Cambodia. Kval Yang (in Sen Monorom), Sralao Chu (in Khmer).

 Etymology. The specific epithet ‘rufford’ is derived from the Rufford Small Grants Foundation that supported this research.

Trang Thanh Pham, Shuichiro Tagane, Phourin Chhang, Tetsukazu Yahara, Phetlasy Souradeth and Thu Thi Nguyen. 2017. Lagerstroemia ruffordii (Lythraceae), A New Species from Vietnam and Cambodia. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotany. 68(3); 175-180. DOI 10.18942/apg.201705

[Botany • 2014] Three New Species of Annonaceae from West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo; Cyathocalyx tsukayae, Mitrephora imbricatarum-apicum & Orophea sagittalis

Fig. 1. A: Flower of Cyathocalyx tsukayae. About ×1/3. B: Fruit of C. tsukayae. About ×1/4.
C: branch with flower of Mitrephora imbricatarum-apicum. Scale = 1 cm. D: Closeup of flower of M. imbricatarum-apicum. Note recurved outer petals, and imbricate, but not cohering apexes of inner petals. Scale = 1 mm.
E: Flower of Orophea sagittalis. Scale = 1 mm. 

Three new species of Annonaceae; Cyathocalyx tsukayae, Mitrephora imbricatarum-apicum and Orophea sagittalis, are described based on materials newly collected from Betung-Kerihun National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. 

Keywords: Annonaceae, biodiversity, Borneo, Cyathocalyx, Mitrephora, new species, Orophea, West Kalimantan, wet tropics

Fig. 1. A: Flower of Cyathocalyx tsukayae. About ×1/3. B: Fruit of C. tsukayae. About ×1/4. C: branch with flower of Mitrephora imbricatarum-apicum. Scale = 1 cm. D: Closeup of flower of M. imbricatarum-apicum. Note recurved outer petals, and imbricate, but not cohering apexes of inner petals. Scale = 1 mm. E: Flower of Orophea sagittalis. Scale = 1 mm. F: Nectary pattern of adaxial surface of inner petal of slightly immature flower (pickled material). Scale = 1 mm.

Hiroshi Okada. 2014. Three New Species of Annonaceae from West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 65(1): 17–24.  http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110009816919/en