Porandra microphylla Y. Wan (Commelinaceae) 340 Porandra microphylla Y. Wan (Commelinaceae): A NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORD FOR VIETNAM Vu Tien Chinh 1 *, Tran Thi Phuong Anh 1 , Bui Hong Quang 2 , Nguyen The Cuong 2 1 Vietnam National Museum of Nature, VAST, Vietnam, 2 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, VAST, Vietnam ABSTRACT: Porandra microphylla Y. Wan, is a new recorded species for the flora of Vietnam. This species was collected from Lai Chau and Vinh Phuc province of the country. Morphologically, P. microphylla is closely related to Porandra scandens D.Y. Hong, but differs by its smaller and abaxially glabrous leaves and oblong or subglobose anthers. Keywords: Commelinaceae, Porandra, P. microphylla, new record, Vietnam. Citation: Vu Tien Chinh, Tran Thi Phuong Anh, Bui Hong Quang, Nguyen The Cuong, 2016. Porandra microphylla Y. Wan (Commelinaceae): A new distributional record for Vietnam. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 38(3): 340-343. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v38n3.7486. *Corresponding author: tienchinhvu@gmail.com. INTRODUCTION The genus Porandra D. Y. Hong (Commelinaceae) was firstly described from China [3] based on two species (Thitimetharoch et al. 2003). While studying the genus in Thailand, Thitimetharoch et al. (2003) reported three species from the country, namely P. microphylla, P. ramosa and P. scandens [6]. They also reported distribution of P. scandens in Vietnam [5]. During our scrutiny of the unidentified specimens housed in the herbarium of Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (HN), we came across two accessions of Porandra which after careful examination of the morphological characters, identified as P. microphylla Y. Wan. This species was never been recorded from Vietnam, hence we are reporting this as a new record to the country. P. microphylla is closely related to P. scandens [2, 3] but it can be differentiated from the later in having oblong or subglobose anthers; and smaller and abaxially glabrous leaves (table 1). MATERIALS AND METHODS While scrutinizing the specimens housed at HN, we came across two interesting specimens belonging to the genus Porandra. After a thorough examination of the morphological characters, study of relevant literature and the type specimens we identified them as P. microphylla Y. Wan. Specimens housed in the virtual herbaria, such as PE, K & P were also studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Porandra microphylla Y. Wan, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 6(4): 153. 1986; Thitimetharoch et al., Thai For. Bull. (Bot) 31: 142. 2003. Type: China: Guangxi: Long'an, Longhushan Conservation Area, 16 June 1985, Y. Wan 85011 (Holotype: IBG; Isotype: GXMS!). Scandent herbs, slightly woody at base. Stems climbing, branched distally; internodes 2- 18 cm. Leaf sheaths 1.5-6.5 cm, densely puberulent on one side, mouth long-ciliate; petiole 3-10 mm; leaf blade narrowly elliptic- lanceolate, 6-12 × 1.5-3 cm, with a line of white-hirsute hairs near margin of adaxial surface, abaxially glabrous, base cuneate or obtuse, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescence a head ca. 1.5 cm in diam. Heads with 2-6 flowers; bracts broadly ovate, ca. 2.5 mm, sparsely pubescent. Sepals oblong, carinate, 5-6 × 2-3 mm, pubescent outside. Petals broadly elliptic, 5-6 × ca. 3 mm. Filaments ca. 7 mm, lanate with white hairs; anthers oblong or subglobose, 1-1.2 × ca. 1 mm, dehiscent by apical pores. Ovary sparsely TAP CHI SINH HOC 2016, 38(3): 340-343 DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v38n3.7486