Aspidistra nitens (Asparagaceae, Convallariaceae s. str.), a new species from central Laos

Abstract

The paper describes a new species of Aspidistra discovered in Laos, namely A. nitens Aver., K. S. Nguyen et Tillich in addition to ten species (A. elegans, A. glandulosa, A. khangii, A. laongamensis, A. laotica, A. lurida, A. medusa, A. purpureomaculata, A. globulifera, A. subrotata) earlier reported in this country. The new species is most similar to A. maguanensis originated from Yunnan (China) but differs by short peduncle 5–9 mm long completely covered by 3–4 imbricate bracts, urceolate perigone tube with 8–10 free, unequal, white, narrowly ovate lobes, 8–10 stamens, and subsessile, oblate, purple, indistinctly 4–5-lobed stigma obscurely wavy along the margin. Short diagnosis, standard taxonomical description, type citation, epithet etymology, data on ecology, phenology, estimated conservation status, color illustrations, notes on the taxonomy of related species are provided for the described species. New nomenclatural combination, A. globulifera (Aver., K. S. Nguyen et Tillich) Aver., comb. et stat. nov. substituting the name A. semiaperta var. globulifera Aver., K. S. Nguyen et Tillich is published.