Morphological and molecular characteristics of Panax sp. (Araliaceae) from Phu Xai lai leng mountain, Nghe An province, Vietnam

Seven sterile and young specimens of Panax sp. were collected in Phu Xai Lai Leng silicat mountain, the highest mountain  peak in central Vietnam. Morphologically, they resemble P. stipuleanatus and P. bipinnatifidus. However, they have stipules and leaflets that are not bipinnatifid. The ITS-DNA sequences of Panax sp. from Phu Xai Lai Leng are identical and exhibit a close relationship with P. stipuleanatus from Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province with strong bootstrap support (98%). Noticeably, these two taxa  are different by 2 nucleotides. A collection of standard specimens including inflorescence, infructescence, flowers and ripe fruits of Panax from Phu Xai Lai Leng is needed to determine its taxonomic status.

Notes on Adiantum juxtapositum (Adiantaceae) and Abrodictyum pluma (Hymenophyllaceae) for the Fern Flora of Vietnam

New original data on ecology and distribution of two rare ferns - Adiantum juxtapositum (Adiantaceae) and Abrodictyum pluma (Hymenophyllaceae) in Vietnam are provided. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and relevant taxonomic notes are also presented for both studied taxa

Hymenorchis phitamii (Orchidaceae)

Hymenorchis phitamii – new species for science discovered in southern Vietnam described and illustrated. From most closely related H. javanica it differs in emarginate orbicular lip and nearly straight (or hardly serrulate) tepals and leaves. The first record of the genus Hymenorchis in mainland Asia represents new remarkable addition to the orchid flora of Vietnam, as well as floras of Indochina and mainland Asia

The complete chloroplast genome of ornamental liana Sarcodum scandens (Fabaceae)

Sarcodum scandens is a tropical ornamental liana, distributed in southeastern Asia. The complete chloroplast genome was sequenced using the Illumina Hiseq X-Ten platform. The genome lacks an inverted repeat (IR) region, containing 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs genes and 4 rRNAs. The overall GC content is 34.1%. A phylogenetic tree based on the whole chloroplast genomes of 14 species indicated that S. scandens belonged to a monophyletic tribe Wisterieae, which was sister to Glycyrrhiza and nested in IRLC group of the subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae)

Studies on the Genus Bolbitis (Dryopteridaceae) from Vietnam and Laos

Volume: 101Start Page: 282End Page: 29

The Genus Calocedrus (Cupressaceae) in the Flora of Vietnam

Taxonomic review of the genus Calocedrus in Vietnam accompanied with modern available data on distribution, ecology and habitat conditions of its two aboriginal species is presented. Detailed illustrated description of recently discovered species C. rupestris endemic to rocky limestone mountains of northern Vietnam is provided. This rare species differs from wide-spread C. macrolepis in obtuse to broadly-obtuse leaf apex; small, subsessile, 4-scaled, broadly-ovate seed cones 4-5(6) x 2.5-3(3.5) mm with very short stalk 0.5-1(1.5) mm long, having 6-8(12) obtuse scales, and fertile seed scales with incurved rounded apex having rough, more or less flat surface without any mucro. Trees of C. rupestris were found as a co-dominant in relictual coniferous forests on rocky hills and ridges composed of highly eroded limestone. Relictual primary, highly endangered woods with this rare tree, as well as their floristic complex represent a unique plant diversity center of global significance. Urgent and effective protection of these areas should be of highest priority for nature conservation activity

Elevation Shift in Abies Mill. (Pinaceae) of Subtropical and Temperate China and Vietnam—Corroborative Evidence from Cytoplasmic DNA and Ecological Niche Modeling

The elevational shift scenario has been proposed as a model to explain the response of cold-adapted organisms to Quaternary climatic fluctuations in Europe and North America. However, the elevational shift model has not been well-explored in eastern Asia, which is more topographically complex than the other Northern Hemisphere biogeographic regions. Here, we evaluated the role of elevational shift in the closely related firs, or Abies Mill., of subtropical and temperate China. These firs are typical alpine trees with sensitivity to climate change. We tested the elevational shift hypothesis in firs of China using phylogeographic methods and ecological niche models. Our phylogeographic analyses comprised mitochondrial and chloroplast polymorphisms surveyed across 479 individuals from 43 populations representing 11 species. M1 of the 11 mitotypes and C1 of the 25 chlorotypes were inferred as the ancestral haplotype, and they had the widest distribution. The results of our phylogeographic survey revealed multiple centers of genetic diversity in distinct geographic regions and no latitudinal trend. Moreover, our results showed range expansions for seven taxa during the last glacial (64.9-18.2 or 32.5-9.1 kya), and this was consistent with the Quaternary fossil record of Abies in China. Taken together, our findings support a historical biogeographic pattern in firs of glacial expansions, probably through corridors at lower elevation, and interglacial fragmentations, through isolation at higher elevation peaks. Therefore, Abies in China probably undergoes elevational shift in response to climate change. Facing the forecasting global warming, the risk of several critically endangered firs was further enhanced as these species would have little escape space in situ to higher altitudes. According to our ENMs, we proposed an ex situ conservation strategy in the southern Hengduan Mountains region of south western China

Elevation Shift in Abies Mill. (Pinaceae) of Subtropical and Temperate China and Vietnam-Corroborative Evidence from Cytoplasmic DNA and Ecological Niche Modeling

The elevational shift scenario has been proposed as a model to explain the response of cold-adapted organisms to Quaternary climatic fluctuations in Europe and North America. However, the elevational shift model has not been well-explored in eastern Asia, which is more topographically complex than the other Northern Hemisphere biogeographic regions. Here, we evaluated the role of elevational shift in the closely related firs, or Abies Mill., of subtropical and temperate China. These firs are typical alpine trees with sensitivity to climate change. We tested the elevational shift hypothesis in firs of China using phylogeographic methods and ecological niche models. Our phylogeographic analyses comprised mitochondrial and chloroplast polymorphisms surveyed across 479 individuals from 43 populations representing 11 species. M1 of the 11 mitotypes and C1 of the 25 chlorotypes were inferred as the ancestral haplotype, and they had the widest distribution. The results of our phylogeographic survey revealed multiple centers of genetic diversity in distinct geographic regions and no latitudinal trend. Moreover, our results showed range expansions for seven taxa during the last glacial (64.9-18.2 or 32.5-9.1 kya), and this was consistent with the Quaternary fossil record of Abies in China. Taken together, our findings support a historical biogeographic pattern in firs of glacial expansions, probably through corridors at lower elevation, and interglacial fragmentations, through isolation at higher elevation peaks. Therefore, Abies in China probably undergoes elevational shift in response to climate change. Facing the forecasting global warming, the risk of several critically endangered firs was further enhanced as these species would have little escape space in situ to higher altitudes. According to our ENMs, we proposed an ex situ conservation strategy in the southern Hengduan Mountains region of south western China

Sinocrassula vietnamenis (Crassulaceae), New Species and New Generic Record in the Flora of Vietnam

New species, – Sinocrassula vietnamensis (Crassulaceae) discovered in the Northern Vietnam is described and illustrated. Standard citations of type specimens, description, name etymology, data on ecology, phenology and distribution, as well as short taxonomic remarks for the new species are provided. The species differs from its closest ally S. diversifolia in large well developed rosettes, hairy leaves, white flowers and long styles. The discovery of this species in Vietnam remarkably extends the geographical range of the genus southwards