Research Paper

Two new species, Sonerila ngoclinhensis and S. purpurifolia (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Hoang Phi Pham, Hao Wang, Leonid V. Averyanov, Quoc Bao Nguyen, Van Canh Nguyen, Van Nam Nguyen, Ba Vuong Truong, Che Wei Lin

Published on: 22 October 2026

Page: 744 - 752

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.744

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    Abstract

    Vietnam is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with high levels of plant endemism shaped by diverse geological formations, complex terrain, and extensive habitat heterogeneity. Ongoing botanical exploration in the country has led to the discovery of two new species, Sonerila ngoclinhensis and S. purpurifolia, which are described and illustrated here. Both species resemble S. namii, but can be clearly distinguished from it by several characters. Sonerila ngoclinhensis differs in having stems covered with white villous-hirsute trichomes, somewhat glossy leaf blades, suprabasal acrodromous or subpinnate venation, petals up to 13 mm long, and a style13–15 mm long. Sonerila purpurifolia differs from S. namii in having stems densely covered with villous-hirsute trichomes, petals 7–9 × 2–3 mm, and narrowly ovate anthers ca. 2 mm long. Data on distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status are provided for both described species.

    Keyword: Endemism, flora of Vietnam, Melastomataceae, plant taxonomy, Sonerila namii, tribe Sonerileae

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