Thursday, July 2, 2015

[Botany • 2015] A Revision of Chuniophoenix (Arecaceae), Palm from China and Vietnam


 Chuniophoenix hainanensisC. nana & CsuoitienensisDistribution maps & Habit

Abstract

A revision of the Asian palm genus Chuniophoenix is given based on study of 22 herbarium specimens of wild origin from A, BH, FIPI, HN, IBSC, K, LE, MO, NY, and P. Three species are recognized, including a new one, Chuniophoenix suoitienensis.

Keywords: dioecy, Palmae, Vietnam, China, Monocots

FIGURE 2. Distribution maps; Chuniophoenix hainanensis (green dots). C. nana (red dots). C. suoitienensis (blue square).

FIGURE 4. Chuniophoenix suoitienensis.
A. Habit, Suoi Tien, Vietnam (Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659). B. Immature fruits, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659). C. Staminate flowers, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Nguyen Quoc Dung 3866). D. Pistillate flowers, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Nguyen Quoc Dung 3868) (C, D: images by Dr. Luu Hong Truong).

Chuniophoenix suoitienensis Henderson, sp. nov. (Figs. 4 & 5). 

Chuniophoenix suoitienensis differs from C. hainanensis in its 6–7 (versus 20–28) leaf segments and homogeneous (versus ruminate) endosperm, and from C. nana in its larger size and leaf sheaths split below the petiole to give a central cleft, and winged along the proximal margins. 

Type:— VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa: Dien Khanh District, Suoi Tien, 12.203N, 109.027E, ca. 50 m, 4 July 2010, A. Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659 (holotype, HN!; isotype NY!).

Distribution and habitat:— Southern Vietnam (Khanh Hoa) (Fig. 2) in disturbed forest along steep, rocky river margins at ca. 50 m elevation. 

Taxonomic notes:— Chuniophoenix suoitienensis appears to be dioecious. Based on notes made at the time of collection of the type specimen, inflorescences of presumed staminate plants have shorter peduncles to 10 cm long, elongate rachises, and 10–11 rachillae, these to 18 cm long. Presumed pistillate plants have longer peduncles 30–40 cm long, shorter rachises, and 3–4 rachillae, these to 15 cm long. 

Local names and uses:— la non. No uses recorded



Andrew Henderson. 2015. A Revision of Chuniophoenix (Arecaceae). Phytotaxa. 218 (2): 163–170. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.218.2.6