Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.I Peng

Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Bui, Van Huong, Vuong, Truong Ba, Wynn-Jones, Bleddyn, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Maisak, Tatiana V., Krupkina, Ludmila I., Luu, Hong Truong, Nguyen, Khang Sinh & Nguyen, Van Khuong, 2024, Novelties in Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) with erect stems in the flora of Vietnam: A. quanii, a new species, and A. erecta, a new national record, Phytotaxa 640 (1), pp. 39-49 : 40-43

Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.I Peng in Liu et al. (2011: 367)

( Fig. 1 & 2 )

Type: — CHINA. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Napo Xian (County), alt. 800 m, in a valley on limestone hill, 10 November 2002, Yan Liu L 0782 (holotype IBK, isotype HAST).

Ecology and phenology: —Primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests on karstic limestone at elevations of 700–1300 m a.s.l. Occasionally common. Flowers in October–December.

Distribution: — Vietnam: provinces Bac Kan (Cho Don District), Cao Bang (Tra Linh District) and Ha Giang (districts Vi Xuyen and Quan Ba). China: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Jingxi Xian and Napo Xian) ( Liu et al. 2011, Vislobokov et al. 2021).

Conservation status: — Aspidistra erecta is presently known from several locations in China ( Liu et al. 2011, Vislobokov et al. 2021) and four locations in Vietnam with the total estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) less than 20000 km 2 and the area of occupancy (AAO) surely less than 2000 km 2. Taking into consideration severe fragmentation of all the known populations of this species and the continuing decline of habitat quality (iii), we preliminarily assign its conservation status as Vulnerable (VU) following the criteria B1ab(iii) + B2ab(iii) proposed by the IUCN (2023).

Notes: — Aspidistra erecta is a distinct species readily recognizable by its slender, ascending to erect stem up to 1 m high and rather small flowers with bent pistil. The Vietnamese specimens reported here closely meet morphologically the protologue of this species based on the Chinese populations ( Liu et al. 2011). One of them, Averyanov et al. VR 201, comprises fruiting material, which makes its identification somewhat preliminary. New records of this species reported here expand its known range by more than 120 km to the south. The presence of A. erecta in Vietnam was quite predictable, given the proximity of its locus classicus to the China-Vietnam border and the similarity of the limestone habitats of northern Vietnam to those in Guangxi. Indeed, all four Vietnamese populations are confined to karst formations, just like the type and the paratype gatherings. Flowers of A. erecta are surprisingly similar to those of A. marasmioides Tillich (2005: 321) . Averyanov et al. (2020c) tentatively synonymized A. erecta with A. marasmioides while reporting the fruiting specimen Averyanov et al. VR 201. However, these two species possess strikingly different growth form: A. marasmioides is characterized by exclusively plagiotropic shoots, which is typical for most species of the genus.

Specimens examined:— VIETNAM. Bac Kan Province: Cho Don District, Ban Thi Commune , terrestrial plant, in secondary forest on karst rocks, 29 November 2023, Bui Van Huong, Truong Ba Vuong, BVH s.n. ( VNM, VNMN, photos LE LE01124750 https://en.herbariumle.ru/?t=occ&id=208858) ; Cao Bang Province: Tra Linh District, Quang Vinh Municipality , about 21 km N of Cao Bang town, 22°51'N 106°14'E, 781 m a.s.l., growing in limestone rubble at the edge of steep evergreen primary forest, a species with erect slender bamboo-like rhizomes, leaves of this collection with small scattered white spots, 29 November 2018, Bleddyn Wynn-Jones, BWJ 16147 (private herbarium of B. Wynn-Jones, photos LE LE01073384 https://en.herbariumle.ru/?t=occ&id=16551) ; living plant from the same gathering in Crûg Farm Nursery, UK; Ha Giang Province: Quan Ba District, Bat Dai Son Nature Reserve, Can Ty Commune, Lung Vay Village , around point 23°06'02.6''N 105°03'04.5''E, 1200–1305 m a.s.l., karstic, highly eroded mountains composed of solid marble-like limestone, primary evergreen broad-leaved humid forest on steep rocky slopes near mountain tops, erect terrestrial herb with semi-woody stem to 40 cm tall among shady rocks, leaves uniform green, fruits brown, globular prickly-papillose, 5–7 mm in diameter, not common, 15 April 2018, L. Averyanov, Nguyen Sinh Khang, Chuong Quang Ngan, T. Maisak, VR 201 ( LE LE01054358 https://en.herbariumle.ru/?t=occ&id=4690) ; Ha Giang Province: Vi Xuyen District, Dong Van Karst Plateau—Du Gia National Park , Khau Ca forest , 22°50'51.95"N 105° 7'12.91"E, elevation 770 m a.s.l., 30 November 2016, Luu Hong Truong, Nguyen Anh Duc, Le Khac Quyet, HG31 ( HNU, SGN, photos LE LE01124770 https://en.herbariumle.ru/?t=occ&id=211192) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution map of Aspidistra erecta, A. globosa and A. quanii (the map is not aimed to show countries in their entire borders).

FIGURE 2. Aspidistra erecta. A. Flowering plant. B. Apical portion of stem. C. Leaves, adaxial and abaxial side. D, E. Flower bud and open flower, side view.F. Flower on shoot, front view. G. Flower, side and half-side views. H. Inflorescence bracts, abaxial side. I. Flower, front view (perianth lobes removed), showing stamens and stigma. J. Sagittal section of flower, front and side views. K. Perianth lobes, adaxial and abaxial surface. L. Peduncle and sagittally dissected flower (with perianth lobes removed), showing intact pistil. M. Stamen, front and side view. N. Pistil, side view. O. Pistil, view from above. P. Sagittal section of pistil. Bui Van Huong, Truong Ba Vuong, BVH s.n. Photos by Bui Van Huong, correction and design by L. Averyanov and T. Maisak.