Amorphophallus kienluongensis (Araceae), a new species from the Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam

Abstract

Amorphophallus kienluongensis is described as a new species from southern Vietnam. It is morphologically close to A. brevispathus Gagnep. (Thailand) and A. prolificus Hett. & A.Galloway (Thailand). However, it differs from both these species by a stigma with a central depression and an obconic male portion. So far A. kienluongensis is known only from the Kien Luong district of the Kien Giang province, southern Vietnam. The plant grows on limestone hills where its habitat is under threat owing to quarrying for cement manufacture. Therefore this species could be ranked as CR (‘critically endangered’) in the IUCN ranking.