BOEHMERIA PILOSIUSCULA VAR. SUFFRUTICOSA ACHARYA, FRIIS & WILMOT-DEAR (URTICACEAE), A NEW RECORD FOR THE FLORA OF VIETNAM

Abstract

Boehmeria pilosiuscula has two varieties, including Boehmeria pilosiuscula var. pilosiuscula distributed in north-eastern and south-eastern India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Philippines, Indonesia and Boehmeria pilosiuscula var. suffruticossa distributed in China (Hainan, Taiwan), Myanmar, and Thailand. These varieties can be differentiated by length of female flower-bearing (≤ 2 cm with 3–10 cm long) and number of marginal teeth (up to 30 either side with more than 35 either side). Boehmeria pilosiuscula var. suffruticosa Acharya, Friis & Wilmot-Dear (Urticaceae) undetermined from the literature of Vietnam. It’s reported here for the first time. It was discovered during the botanical surveys in Muong Nhe Nature Reserve of Dien Bien province of Northwestern Vietnam. The taxon is morphologically similar to Boehmeria japonica and B. virgata subsp. macrophylla in its leaf shape and margin, and spikes usually less than 26 cm. This paper provides a detailed morphological description, distribution map, ecological information, and a color photoplate of this taxon.