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.
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