Ritesh Kumar Choudhary

Molecular phylogenetics and systematics of Trigonella L. (Fabaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnL intron sequences

The genus Trigonella includes the widely cultivated T. foenum-graecum and a number of other medicinal and aromatic plant species distributed around the Mediterranean region. Sectional delimitation of Trigonella species is still based on morphology and interspecific relationships within the genus are not yet sufficiently resolved. Phylogenetic relationships in 22 species representing 11 of the 12 sections recognized within the genus Trigonella were analyzed using nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F DNA sequences. Within nuclear ITS region, ITS-II was found to evolve faster compared to ITS-I. Maximal phylogenetic resolution and support was obtained in the combined analysis of the two selected regions. Trees resulting from maximum parsimony as well as Bayesian inference of combined data provided evidence for Trigonella being monophyletic with high support but did not agree with the traditional subgeneric division. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicated three major lineages supported by apomorphies in inflorescence and stipule. The phylogram supported the sectional delimitation of sections Cylindricae, Vérae, Samaroideae, Pectinatae,Erosae and Callicerates. There is strong support to combine monotypic sections Pectinatae and Erosae into one. However, species belonging to section Foenum-graecum and Falcatulae clustered in different subclades, contrary to their current classification. Inflorescence type appears to be a useful character with taxonomic potential for phenetic implications at subgeneric and sectional level within the genus. Moreover, some legume and seed characteristics, considered important in existing taxonomy, appear to have arisen more than once in Trigonella and are homoplastic.

Capparis gialaiensis (Capparaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Capparis gialaiensis Sy, a new species of Capparaceae from Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically closest to C. longistipitata, but differs in length of thorns, filaments and gynophore, shape of the leaf and shape and size of petals. Color photographs, a table comparing the new species with closely allied species and a key are provided to facilitate species identification.

Capparis daknongensis (Capparaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Capparis daknongensis D.T. Sy, G.C. Tucker, Cornejo & Joongku Lee, a new species of Capparaceae from Dak Nong province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C. khuamak, but differs in having pruinose twigs, fewer stamens, longer filaments and gynophore, and a different fruit morphology.

Cordiglottis longipedicellata (Orchidaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Cordiglottis longipedicellata Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary, a new species of Orchidaceae from Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to C. pulverulenta, but differs in its floral morphology and in having a longer pedicel. Colour photographs, a table comparing the floral structure of the new species with supposedly closely allied species and a key are provided to facilitate species identification. The present paper is also the first report of the genus Cordiglottis in the Indo-Chinese region.

Dillenia Tetrapetala (Dilleniaceae), a New Species from HonBa Nature Reserve, Vietnam

A new species Dillenia tetrapetala Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary (Dilleniaceae) is described from HonBa Nature Reserve of the Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam. Detailed illustrations and taxonomic comments are provided along with a table listing the differential characters to the closely similar taxa. Phylogenetic analyses using nrITS region of ribosomal DNA and psbA—trnH intergenic spacer region of chloroplast DNA sequences were also performed and they supported the status of D. tetrapetala as a distinct species. The plant is considered endangered based on the IUCN red list criteria because of its restricted distribution.

Argostemma glabra (Rubiaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Argostemma glabra Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary, a new species of Rubiaceae from Khanh Hoa Province of Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to A. apiculatum, but differs in its creeping habit, 4–6 flowered inflorescence, bigger and triangular bracts, smaller peduncle, bigger and broadly triangular calyx lobes, and non-apiculate and smaller corolla. Color photographs, a line drawing and a taxonomic key are provided to facilitate identification.

Rungia khoii (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Northern Vietnam

Rungia khoii D.V. Hai, Y.F. Deng & Joongku Lee, a new species from Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to R. daklakensis and R. clauda, but differs in the shape of its leaves, stem, bracts, corolla and fruits, as well as by the different stamens and anther thecae.

Capparis bachii (Capparaceae), a New Species from Southern Vietnam

Capparis bachii Sy, R.K. Choudhary & Joongku Lee (Capparaceae) is described and illustrated based on a collection from Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. It is morphologically similar to C. diffusa but differs from it by having numerous flowers per umbel, numerous stamens per flower, larger gynophore, cordate leaf base, and presence of hairs on leaves.

Rungia daklakensis (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Rungia daklakensis D.V. Hai, Y.F. Deng & Joongku Lee sp. nova (Acanthaceae) is described and illustrated from Vietnam. It is morphologically closely related to R. pierrei, from which it differs by the bifariously pubescent stem, shape and pubescence of leaves, smaller spikes, much bigger sterile bracts, glabrous calyx and glabrous capsules. Colour photographs, description and an identification key to Vietnamese species of Rungia are provided.

Jasminum vietnamense (Oleaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Jasminum vietnamense B.H. Quang & Joongku Lee, sp. nova (Oleaceae) from Quang Nam province of Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to J. adenophyllum, J. fuchsiifolium and J. pierranum, but differs from them by having a comparatively smaller calyx tube, absence of domatia at vein axils of the leaf, and by considerably smaller bracts.