[Botany • 2025] Brachylophon sirindhorniae • A Revision of Brachylophon Oliv. (Malpighiaceae) Based on Morphology, Phylogenetics, and Palynology Reveals a New Species Endemic to Thailand

 

Brachylophon sirindhorniae Chaisongkram & Ruchis., 

 in Chaisongkram, Phromkhlibnin, Simachai, Suparat et Ruchisansakun. 2025. 

  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8;  

ต่างหูสิรินธร  || DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266904

Abstract

We present a taxonomic revision of Brachylophon (Malpighiaceae) in Thailand, Southeast Asia, based on herbarium collections and a field trip conducted in 2024. Two previously accepted species, B. anatomosans Craib and B. curtisii Oliv., are reported, alongside the new species, B. sirindhorniae Chaisongkram & Ruchis., described and illustrated for the first time. The new species is characterized by having white petals, pedicels 2–5 mm long; filaments 1.5–2.5 mm long; and mericarp 6–7 mm long. A detailed description, illustrations, and a comparison with closely related species are provided to aid in its identification. The discovery of this new species highlights the ongoing need for further exploration and taxonomic study of the genus in Southeast Asia to fully understand its diversity and distribution.

Keywords: Acridocarpeae, Endemic species, Flora of Thailand, Limestone, Malpighioideae

Brachylophon sirindhorniae Chaisongkram & Ruchis.
A.inflorescence, B.flowers, C.abranch with fruit, D.stipule,andE.dissected flower and a fruit.

Wanwipha Chaisongkram, Supannika Phromkhlibnin, Supakan Simachai, Thanakit Suparat and Saroj Ruchisansakun. 2025. A Revision of Brachylophon Oliv. (Malpighiaceae) Based on Morphology, Phylogenetics, and Palynology Reveals a New Species Endemic to Thailand.  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8; 313-323. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266904 [2025-10-20]

 

[Botany • 2024] Triaspis bicuarensis (Malpighiaceae) • A New Angolan Species from the Triaspis hypericoides complex based on Macromorphology and Palynology

Triaspis bicuarensis R.F.Almeida & Goyder, 

in Almeida, Antonio-Domingues, Gonçalves et Goyder, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04336 

 twitter.com/The_Al_meida

 

Abstract

Triaspis hypericoides currently comprises three accepted subspecies endemic to woodland savannas of southern continental Africa. After an unusual population belonging to this complex was collected in southwestern Angola, we re-evaluated the classification of this group. This study was based on the analysis of type specimens, protologues, field photographs and herbarium sheets of all subspecies within T. hypericoides. We reinstate T. canescens, T. hypericoides and T. nelsonii based on differences in leaf, flower and fruit traits. Additionally, the Angolan population is proposed here as a new species of Triapis endemic to the dry miombo woodlands of Bicuar National Park, Huíla Province, southwestern Angola. Triaspis bicuarensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from T. nelsonii by its alternate (versus opposite) leaves, ovate to widely ovate (versus widely ovate to very widely ovate) leaf laminas, rounded (versus sagittate) leaf base, flat (versus undulate) margins, sparsely white-tomentose (versus glabrous to glabrescent) abaxial leaf surface, petiole 4–8 mm long (versus 2–3 mm long), compound inflorescences in thyrses (versus corymbs) and bracteoles inserted below apex of peduncles (versus in the middle of peduncles). An identification key to all species belonging to this species complex is presented alongside a complete morphological description for the new species, photographic plates and comments on the distribution, ecology, palynology and taxonomy. These results underline the need for continued revisions of the taxonomy of the neglected African genera of Malpighiaceae.

Keywords: Angola, Malpighiales, Malpighioid clade, savanna, tropical Africa

Triaspis bicuarensis R.F.Almeida and Goyder, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species differing from T. nelsonii due to its alternate (versus opposite) leaves, with ovate to widely ovate (versus widely ovate to very widely ovate) lamina, rounded at base (versus sagittate), with flat margin (versus undulate), abaxially sparsely white-tomentose (versus glabrous to glabrescent), petiole 4–8 mm long (versus 2–3 mm long), flowers in thyrses (versus corymbs) and bracteoles inserted below apex of peduncles (versus inserted at the middle of peduncles).

Etymology: The epithet refers to the restricted distribution of the new species, known only from Bicuar National Park in Huíla Province, southwestern Angola.

Rafael Felipe de Almeida, Higor Antonio-Domingues, Francisco Maiato P. Gonçalves and David J. Goyder. 2024. A New Angolan Species from the Triaspis hypericoides complex (Malpighiaceae) based on Macromorphology and Palynology. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04336

  twitter.com/The_Al_meida/status/1773323873204744489

[Botany • 2024] Chlorohiptage vietnamensis (Malpighiaceae, Tetrapteroids) • A distinct New Genus endemic to Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data

Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, 

in Do, Lu, Le, Lam, Trinh, Deguine, Hoang et Almeida, 2024.

DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.115623

Abstract

Background and aims – Vietnam is one of the leading diversity centres for Asian Malpighiaceae, comprising 24 accepted species and three native genera (i.e. Aspidopterys, Hiptage, and Tristellateia). During recent fieldwork towards completing the taxonomic revision of Malpighiaceae for the Flora of Vietnam, we have collected specimens from two populations that could not be placed in any of the three native genera of this family. We performed morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies to test the generic placement of those specimens.

Material and methods – We sampled 27 genera (including the Asian Acridocarpus, Aspidopterys, Brachylophon, Hiptage, Stigmaphyllon, and Tristellateia, out of a total of 75) of Malpighiaceae representing all phylogenetic clades comprising paleotropical lineages (i.e. acridocarpoids, bunchosioids, tetrapteroids, malpighioids, and stigmaphylloids), the unusual specimen recently collected in Vietnam, and the two genera of Elatinaceae as outgroups. Maximum Likelihood analysis was carried out based on a molecular matrix alignment of the internal transcribed spacer marker (ITS). Comprehensive morphological analyses were also carried out based on the collected specimens and additional herbarium specimens.

Key results – Our molecular phylogeny strongly supported the unusual specimen from Vietnam placed as sister to Hiptage in the tetrapteroid clade. Key morphological traits differing these Vietnamese specimens from Hiptage were identified related to the floral bud imbrication, shape, colour, posture of sepals and petals, length of stamen filaments, number of styles, and shape of mericarps, allowing the proposition of a new monospecific genus.

Conclusions – Chlorohiptage vietnamensis is proposed as a new monospecific genus closely related to Hiptage but differing in several key morphological traits. A complete morphological description is provided alongside photographic illustrations and notes on its conservation, distribution, ecology, etymology, and taxonomy. Additionally, an updated identification key to the genera of the tetrapteroid clade is provided.

Keywords: Asia, Hiptage, Malpighiales, systematics, taxonomy, tetrapteroid

Comparison of morphological traits of Chlorohiptage T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, gen. nov. with Hiptage and Aspidopterys.
A–D. Chlorohiptage. A. Leaves with two basal glands. B. Close up of a thyrse. C. A flower without petals showing the androecium and gynoecium structure and eglandular calyx. D. Close up of a mericarp.
E–H. Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz. E. Leaves with two basal glands and marginal glands. F. Close up of a thyrse showing glandular calyces. G. Flower showing the androecium and gynoecium structure and petal with fimbriate margins. H. Close up of mericarp.
I–K Aspidopterys tomentosa (Blume) A.Juss. I. Leaves eglandular. J. Floral bud showing eglandular calyx. K. Flower showing the androecium and gynoecium structure and petals with margin entire. L. Shape of mericarp.

 Photographed and designed by Truong Van Do, Anh Tuan Le, and Rafael Felipe de Almeida.

Photographic plate of Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov.
A. Leaves with two basal glands (indicated by red arrows). B. Close up of a thyrse. C. Open flower. D. Shape of petals. E. Flower without petals showing the androecium and gynoecium structure and the eglandular calyx. F. Close up of a 3-styled gynoecium. G–I. Close up of the androecium structure. J. Immature mericarp. K. Shape of the mature mericarp.

Photographed and designed by Truong Van Do, Anh Tuan Le, and Rafael Felipe de Almeida

 (scale bars 1 mm).

Photos of Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov. from the original population in the natural habitat. A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Branch bearing thyrses. D. Close up of a thyrse. E. Branch bearing mature mericarps.

Photographed and designed by Truong Van Do and Anh Tuan Le.

Chlorohiptage T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, gen. nov.

 

Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from Hiptage by its floral buds valvate (vs imbricate), petals pale-green to yellowish-green (vs white to yellow) with margins erose and velutine (vs dentate to fimbriate and glabrous), stamens 9 long + 1 short (vs 9 short + 1 long), styles 3 (vs 1-2), shorter than filaments of the stamens (vs longer than filaments of the stamens), mericarps with 1 lateral wing, 3-lobed (vs 3 free lateral wings).

Etymology: The name Chlorohiptage is the combination of the Greek words “chlorós” (= green) and “hiptamai” (= to fly), referring to the unique green flowers of this Hiptage look-alike new genus.

Notes: Chlorohiptage is endemic to open subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forests and limestone-steeped mountains in Central Vietnam at ca 100–250 m.

Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov.

 

 Truong Van Do, Ngan Thi Lu, Anh Tuan Le, Mai Xuan Thi Lam, Xuan Thi Trinh, Jean-Philippe Deguine, Thao Thi Hoang and Rafael Felipe de Almeida. 2024. Chlorohiptage (Tetrapteroids, Malpighiaceae), A distinct New Genus endemic to Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 157(2): 125-136. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.115623

[Botany • 2023 ] Hiptage stenopterum (Malpighiaceae) • A New Species from northwest Yunnan (China) based on Molecular and Morphological Data

 

Hiptage stenopterum K.Tan & M.X.Ren,

in Zhang, Yang, Tan et Ren, 2023.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.106675

Abstract

Hiptage stenopterum K.Tan & M.X.Ren, a new species of Hiptage collected from a deep valley close to the Nujiang Gorge, northwest of Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological data. The new species was found isolated in an entrenched valley of the Laowo River, a tributary of the Nujiang River, at the northern edge of the distribution range of the genus. H. stenopterum shares some morphological similarities with the narrowly endemic H. incurvatum and H. lushuiensis. However, H. stenopterum is easily distinguished by its oblanceolate lateral wing of winged mericarp, 10 to 12 calyx glands, and branchlets densely rusty tomentose. The new species status is also supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosome internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), which showed distinct systematic boundaries from the most morphologically similar species, H. incurvatum and their morphological relatives, H. lushuiensis.

Key words: Flora of Yunnan, Hengduan Mountains, Hiptage, Malpighiaceae, taxonomy

Hiptage stenopterum 
A habit B flowering branch C flower in side view D flowers in frontal view E–G calyx glands (E calyx glands with secretions attracting ants) H young branch (showing densely rusty tomentose) I petals J winged mericarp K young leaf.

Photos A, B by M.X. Ren, E by T.T. Zhang, and C, D, F–K by K. Tan.

 Hiptage stenopterum K.Tan & M.X.Ren, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Hiptage stenopterum is most similar to H. incurvatum K.Tan & M.X.Ren by branchlets densely rusty tomentose (vs white to grey sericeous), leaf blades with 2 glands near the base (vs 10–16 glands), 10(-12) calyx glands [vs 4 (-6)], the posterior lateral wing oblanceolate (vs ovate), anterior lateral wings straight, lanceolate to linear (vs arcuate back to the middle, lanceolate).

Etymology: Its specific epithet reflects the long and narrow mericarp wings of Hiptage stenopterum.

Vernacular name: Chinese: 狭翅风筝果(xiá chì fēng zhēng guǒ). The name’ xiá chì’ means its long and narrow wings, and ‘fēng zhēng gǔo’ is the Chinese name of Hiptage.

Tong-Tong Zhang, Shu-Yun Yang, Ke Tan and Ming-Xun Ren. 2023. A New Species of Hiptage (Malpighiaceae) from northwest Yunnan (China) based on Molecular and Morphological Data. PhytoKeys. 232: 45-57. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.106675

[Botany • 2015 ] Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium (Malpighiaceae) • A New Species from Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium R. F. Almeida & Amorim,

in Almeida & Amorim, 2015. 

DOI: 10.1007/S12225-015-9601-X 

 Researchgate.net/publication/283643435 

Summary

Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium is described and illustrated and its distribution, conservation status, and taxonomy are presented. S. mikanifolium can be distinguished from S. auriculatum and S. macedoanum by its leaf laminas with lobate margins, and filiform glands on the apex of each lobule, sessile discoid glands between the lobules, a petiole apex with a pair of cupulate glands, yellow posterior petals with reddish veins, and the styles parallel and straight.

Key Words: Malpighiales, Ryssopterys, semideciduous forest, taxonomy

Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium R. F. Almeida & Amorim
A flowering branch; B detail of the abaxial surface of the leaf; C leaf; D detail of cupuliform glands at the petiole apex; E reduced leaves associated with the inflorescence; F detail of glands at the petiole apex; G umbels disposed in a dichasium; H detail of floral morphology; J stamen opposite the anterior sepal; K stamens opposite the anterior-lateral petals, anterior-lateral sepals and posterior-lateral petals (from right to left respectively); L stamens opposite the anterior-lateral petals, anterior-lateral sepals and posterior-lateral petals (from left to right respectively); M stamens opposite the posterior sepals (marginal stamens) and the posterior petal (central stamen); N detail of gynoecium with glabrescent ovary.

 DRAWN BY KLEI SOUZA.

Fig. 1. Stigmaphyllon auriculatum. A flowering branch; B detail of flower, frontal view;
Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium. C flowering branch; D detail of petiole showing a pair of glands; E detail of buds, lateral view; F detail of flower, frontal view; G posterior petal, frontal view; H detail of reproductive organs; I overview of the semideciduous forest in the Pedra do Elefante Environmental Protection Area, where S. mikanifolium is found.

 (Photographs A-B by L. Moura and C. Pessoa , C-H by C. N. Fraga, and I by R. Goldenberg).

Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium R. F. Almeida & Amorim, sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet refers to its the morphology which resembles that of an Mikania Willd. (Asteraceae) leaf.

Rafael Felipe de Almeida and André Márcio Amorim. 2015. Stigmaphyllon mikanifolium (Malpighiaceae), A New Species from Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Kew Bulletin. 70: 47. DOI: 10.1007/S12225-015-9601-X

  Researchgate.net/publication/283643435_Stigmaphyllon_mikanifolium_a_new_species_from_Espirito_Santo_State_Brazil