Assistant Professor Dr. Wannachai Chatan, researchers from Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, discovered Bauhinia nakhonphano-mensis, a new liana species of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) from Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand.

Abstract: A new liana species of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae), namely Bauhinia nakhonphano-mensis, collected from the Phulangkha National Park, Nakhon Pranom Province, Thailand, is described and illustrated. It is easily recognized by the following combination of characters: tendrilled liana, entire leaves, acuminate or caudate leaf apices, oblong or elliptic floral bud, floral bud 25–35 mm long, raceme or panicle inflorescence, 10–13 mm long hypanthium, anther opening by longitudinal slits. Important comparative morphological characters with some closely related species are discussed.

Bauhinia nakhonphanomensis Chatan, sp. nov.

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http://species-id.net/wiki/Bauhinia_nakhonphanomensis

Bauhinia nakhonphanomensis A Habit B  Habit and inflorescences  C  Large and old stems forming flattened ‘Monkey-Ladders” D Old (green) and young (pinkish) leaves E tendril F Inflorescence with many reddish bracteoles G Inflorescence with many reddish bracteoles and reddish-green floral buds.

Type: THAILAND, Phulangka National Park, Ban Pheang District, Nakhon Phanom Province, N 17°57.087′, E 104°09.425′, alt. 170–240 m, 28 June 2012, W. Chatan 1337(Holotype: BK; Isotypes: MSUT).

Diagnosis: Bauhinia nakhonphanomensis is a tendrilled liana. It differs from other closely similar species by having entire leaves, acuminate or caudate leaf apices, oblong or elliptic floral buds, floral bud 25–35 mm long, raceme or panicle inflorescences, 10–13 mm long hypanthium, and anthers opening by longitudinal slits.

Flowering and fruiting: flowering April–July and fruiting unknown.

Distribution: This new species is endemic to Thailand and is known from only one location at Phulangka National Park,  Ban  Pheang  District,  Nakhon  Phanom  Province, Thailand.

Ecology: This species grows in a rocky and dense dry evergreen forest at an elevation of 170–240 m.  It climbs on small to tall shrubs, trees or on big stones.  Some plants grow along the river.

Vernacular name: Thao Khadailing. (เถากระไดลิง หรือ เสี้ยวภูลังกา)

Etymology: Bauhinia nakhonphanomensis is named after the type locality Nakhon Phanom Province, northeastern Thailand.

Chatan, W. (2013) A new species of Bauhinia L. (Caesalpinioideae, Leguminosae) from Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand. PhytoKeys 26: 1-5. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.26.6008

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