A new species of Camellia Section Dalatia (Theaceae) from Vietnam

Abstract

A new species of Camellia L. (Theaceae) endemic to the Da Lat Plateau in southern Vietnam is described and illustrated: Camellia hongiaoensis Orel & Curry. The newly described species possesses mostly solitary, axillary or terminal flowers; bracts 5; sepals 3-5, transitional to petals (petaloids); petals 7-10; the outer whorl consisting either of sepals or petaloids is distinct, a random arrangement of petals in a tight and uneven spiral, numerous proximally fused stamens and gynoecium 4- or 5-carpellate.