Nineteen new records of plant species including two new genera recorded from the Bhutan Himalayas

Abstract

Through the collection of herbarium specimens in Bhutan over the years, new plant species are discovered nearly annually. Thus, this paper reports two new genera and 19 new records of flowering plant species from Bhutan. The new genera include Eurycorymbus of the family Sapindaceae and Homalium of the family Salicaceae. The new records of plant species are Eranthemum erythrochilum (Acanthaceae), Hemidesmus indicus (Apocynaceae), Ilex umbellulata (Aquifoliaceae), Canarium strictum (Burseraceae), Ehretia acuminate (Boraginaceae), Vaccinium sikkimense (Ericaceae), Nothapodytes foetida (Icacinaceae), Machilus edulis (Lauraceae), Grewia asiatica (Malvaceae), Hibiscus fragrans (Malvaceae), Cipadessa baccifera (Meliaceae), Baccaurea javanica (Phyllanthaceae), Canthiumera glabra (Rubiaceae), Homalium napaulense (Salicaceae), Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (Sapindaceae), Acmella radicans (Asteraceae), Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae), Cleome rutidosperma (Cleomaceae), and Cuphea carthagenensis (Lythraceae). Morphological determinations of the genera and species were carried out at the National Herbarium (THIM) of the National Biodiversity Centre of Bhutan. Brief descriptions of the species, phenology, and photo plates are provided in this annotated checklist.

Full text

173
RESEARCH ARTICLE
https://doi.org/10.11110/kjpt.2022.52.3.173
Nineteen new records of plant species including two
new genera recorded from the Bhutan Himalayas
Rinchen DORJI*, Phuentsho PHUENTSHO, Kencho DORJI, Sangay TSHEWANG
1
,
Phuntsho WANGDI
2
, Kezang TOBGAY, Nima GYELTSHEN and Choki GYELTSHEN
National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Serbithang, P.O. Box 875, 11001 Thimphu, Bhutan
1
College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Punakha 13001, Bhutan
2
Phrumsengla National Park, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan,
Bumthang, 32001
ABSTRACT:
Through the collection of herbarium specimens in Bhutan over the years, new
plant species are discovered nearly annually. Thus, this paper reports two new genera and 19
new records of flowering plant species from Bhutan. The new genera include Eurycorymbus of
the family Sapindaceae and Homalium of the family Salicaceae. The new records of plant spe-
cies are Eranthemum erythrochilum (Acanthaceae), Hemidesmus indicus (Apocynaceae), Ilex
umbellulata (Aquifoliaceae), Canarium strictum (Burseraceae), Ehretia acuminate (Boragina-
ceae), Vaccinium sikkimense (Ericaceae), Nothapodytes foetida (Icacinaceae), Machilus edulis
(Lauraceae), Grewia asiatica (Malvaceae), Hibiscus fragrans (Malvaceae), Cipadessa baccif-
era (Meliaceae), Baccaurea javanica (Phyllanthaceae), Canthiumera glabra (Rubiaceae),
Homalium napaulense (Salicaceae), Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (Sapindaceae), Acmella radi-
cans (Asteraceae), Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae), Cleome rutidosperma (Cleomaceae), and
Cuphea carthagenensis (Lythraceae). Morphological determinations of the genera and species
were carried out at the National Herbarium (THIM) of the National Biodiversity Centre of
Bhutan. Brief descriptions of the species, phenology, and photo plates are provided in this
annotated checklist.
Keywords:
Bhutan, eastern Himalayas, new records, flowering plants
RECEIVED
8 June 2022;
REVISED
8 September 2022;
ACCEPTED
13 September 2022
INTRODUCTION
Today, Bhutan is distinguished by the world for its rich
biodiversity and effective conservation efforts, and the country
is home to numerous endangered flora and fauna. Bhutan itself
falls under the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. It is
also home to many endemic species of both flora and fauna.
The Himalayan country of Bhutan is renowned for its rich
biodiversity consisting of endemic, native, and endangered
flora and fauna which inhabit various ecosystems such as
tropical, subtropical, temperate, and alpine forest zones;
tropical/subtropical grasslands, alpine meadows, and screes.
Bhutan has recorded around 11,248 species within all
biodiversity taxa which includes 5,114 species from the
Kingdom Animalia, 5,369 from Plantae, 690 from Fungi, 55
from Chromista, and 20 species from Eubacteria and Protista.
There are around 144 endemic plant species. Around 136
species are threatened of which 64 species are endangered
(National Biodiversity Centre, 2019). A total of 70.46% of
the nation’s land is protected and the elevation ranges from
c. 100 meters above sea level (masl) to 7,570 masl at the peak
of Gangkhar Phuensum (Gyeltshen and Prasad, 2022).
Flora of Bhutan studies was not conducted until 1970 and
the journey of establishing the flora of Bhutan began when
the country flourished from the isolation from the outside
world. The Flora of Bhutan project was initiated in the 1970s
to generate comprehensive information on flora and its
diversity along with their distribution. Due to the country’s
nature of rugged terrains, the diversity listing was an enormous
task. The Flora of Bhutan reports 4,523 flowering plants
species with 1,416 genera and 266 families. It also reported
22 species of Gymnosperms with 15 genera and eight families
(Chhetri and Tenzin, 2012). However, the flora also includes
some species from nearby regions of Darjeeling and Sikkim,
Corresponding author
Rinchen DORJI
E-mail: rinchendoje@gmail.com
© 2022 the Korean Society of Plant Taxonomists.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/
4.0) which permits un rest rict ed non- commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited.
52(3): 173−183, 2022

174 Korean J. PI. Taxon. [Volume 52
India. Some of the species are still not recorded in the list of
Flora of Bhutan due to inaccessibility and limited capacities.
On the other hand, more new exotic or alien species are
encroaching on the country’s native habitats due to its
invasiveness and other means of invasive species pathways.
Currently, Bhutan recorded more than 16 species of invasive
alien plant species with 6 of them listed within the world’s
100 worst invasive species (Lowe et al., 2000 as cited in
Yangzom et al., 2018). However, due to climate change, a
number of species are observed in new habitats with some
changes in their phenology. Cultivated plants widely grown
in Bhutan are also recorded in the flora including exotic
species. In addition, as a result of further exploration and more
research in the country, numerous new species or new records
are constantly being added every year to the flora of Bhutan.
The Flora of Bhutan acts as the reference for the flowering
plants of Bhutan, and the specimen vouchers for the flora have
been deposited in various herbaria such as the National
Herbarium of Bhutan, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Herbarium, Kew Gardens Herbarium, Calcutta Herbarium,
University of Tokyo Herbarium, among others. Thus, this paper
aims to provide information on the new plant records discovered
during several herbarium collection expeditions in various parts
of Bhutan during the last five years. The specimens collected
are deposited at the National Herbarium of Bhutan under the
National Biodiversity Centre in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Materials and Methods
The specimens were collected through the collection from
the previously unexplored areas and the under-collected
species (Fig. 1). The new records of plants were reviewed
and species were determined using the Flora of Bhutan, other
literatures, and also specimens were consulted from various
herbaria. Similarly, thorough literature and databases review
of both international and national were conducted, where the
species identification keys, descriptions including the original
descriptions, illustrations, and photographs were reviewed.
Further, various online resources such as Flora of China (Wu et
al., 1994–2014), JSTOR Global Plant (https://plants.jstor.org),
GBIF website, iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org), Royal
Botanical Garden Edinburgh (E), (http://data.rbge.org.uk), World
Plants (https://www.worldplants.de/world-plants-complete-list/
complete-plant-list), and Bhutan Biodiversity Portal (http://
Fig. 1. Distribution of new plants in Bhutan.

2022] DORJI et al.: New records of plants from Bhutan 175
www.biodiversity.bt) were also used to validate the species
identity and other information.
Fresh specimens for the new records were collected from
the natural habitat following the proper herbarium specimen
collection protocol using the plant press, blotting paper, old
newspaper, butter paper, cardboard, secateurs, and other tools.
The coordinates of new records of species were recorded using
SW Maps, an android mobile app for mapping. The specimens
were further dried in the dryer (oven) and dry-mounted with
field data record label and deposited in the National Herbarium
(THIM) at the National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan (NBC),
Serbithang, Thimphu.
Results and Discussion
This paper reported 19 species of flowering plants that are
new to the flora of Bhutan. Among them, 4 species were non-
native and were recorded from southern Bhutan. The non-
native species recorded are Acmella radicans (Jacq.) R. K.
Jansen, Silene latifolia Poir., Cleome rutidosperma DC., and
Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J. F. Macbr. While Acmella
radicans and Cuphea cathagenensis are native to America,
Silene latifolia is native to temperate Eurasia and Northwest
Africa and Cleome rutidosperma is a native of tropical Africa.
While, Eranthemum erythrochilum, Hemidesmus indicus,
Canarium strictum, Vaccinium sikkimense, Nothaphodytes
foetida, and Machilus edulis are reported from Darjeeling/
Sikkim/West Bengal duars but with no location and vouchers
records from Bhutan in the Flora of Bhutan. Thus with the
collection of specimens and data, it is now confirmed as the
new record for Flora of Bhutan after a thorough examination.
Cipadessa baccifera is reflected to be present in Bhutan in
Flora of China, GBIF, and other websites originally based on
the Flora of Bhutan. However, the Flora of Bhutan reported
that it was probably cultivated in Darjeeling, India and it was
expected from Bhutan with no location or voucher information
from Bhutan. The species distribution ranges from Nepal to
south China, and west and central Malesia. The species was
not recorded as new, until it was collected as herbarium
specimens during a survey and inventory carried out on 4
December 2021 although many field experts encountered it
before but could not conclude as a new record.
Following the expedition and taxonomic search, the genus
Eurycorymbus and Homalium were identified and appeared
to be new genera that were not covered in the Flora of Bhutan
previously. The first known specimen of Eurycorymbus
cavaleriei (H. Lév.) Rehder & Hand.-Mazz. from Bhutan was
collected by Grierson & Long above Zimgaon in Mongar
district but was misidentified as Zanthoxylum cf. rhetsa (Roxb.)
DC. The genus Homalium is reflected in the Flora of Bhutan
with a lone species, and Homalium zeylanicum (Gardner)
Bentham is however not reported from Bhutan but from
Darjeeling in India. The genus Eurycorymbus of the family
Sapindaceae and the genus Homalium of Salicaceae are now
reported here as new genera to the Flora of Bhutan through
the taxonomic review. These genera were reported from the
warm-broad leaved forests in the sub-tropical zones of
Bhutan.
Acanthaceae
1. Eranthemum erythrochilum J.R.I. Wood, Edinburgh J. Bot.
51: 18, 1994 (Fig. 2A).––TYPE: INDIA. Buxa Bengal, 2 Feb
1979, J. S. Gamble 6648 (holotype: K000882625!).
Herbaceous, stem pubescent. Leaves subentire. Inflorescences
a solitary terminal, spike, 3–12 long. Bracts elliptic-obovate,
glandular pubescent all over. Calyx 10–12 mm. Corolla light bluish
when young to crimson, tube 27–39 mm long, lobes 7–11 × 5–
8 mm, anthers and style exserted.
Flowering: January to February.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Dagana, above the road
from Lhamoidzingkha to Dagana to the south of Durpini Bir,
Karmaling gewog, Lhamoidzingkha Drungkhag, elev. 551 m;
26
o
46'17.8''N, 89
o
52'32.7"E, 13 Jan 2020, Phuentsho et al.
BTN138 15425, 15426, 15427, 15428, 15429 (THIM).
Apocynaceae
2. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br., Hort. Kew., ed. 2 [W.T.
Aiton] 2: 75, 1811 (Fig. 2B).––TYPE: INDIA. 22.883478N,
79.616202E, 1813, Roxburgh (holotype: BM001014116!).
Small shrubs, stem terete and glabrous, purplish brown,
nodes flanged and slightly swollen. Leaves simple, obovate
to elliptic, lanceolate-oblong or linear, margin entire, apex
obtuse-apiculate to acuminate, base obtuse to cuneate. Flowers
generally greenish yellow shiny above, petiole 1–3.5 mm long.
Calyx lobes 2–3.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, lobes ovate to acute. Fruit
cylindrical divergently follicles. Roots system is thin, linear
and chief root produces few aspect branches (Purohit, 2019).
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Trongsa, Langthel, ridge
south of langyuel herder camp in Waichenchu valley, elev.
2,411 m, 27.32180233N, 90.46117223E, 25 Mar 2020,
Phuentsho BTN188, 16011 (THIM).
INDIA. Ruhuna National Park, Block I, Opposite
Karaugaswala, 10 Dec 1967, D. Mueller-Dombois and R. G.
Cooray 67121009, det. D. M. - D., det. Gretchen M. Lonta
(FLAS), Mar 2011, det. H. Huber, 11/14/1968.
SIRLANKA. Prope Ritigala, in Apricis, elev. 60 m, 18-3-
1973, Bernardi, 141312, det. A. H. M. Jayasuriya, Apr 1982,
det. Gretchen M. Lonta (FLAS), Mar 2011.

176 Korean J. PI. Taxon. [Volume 52
Fig. 2. Newly recorded plant species. A. Eranthemum erythrochilum from Dagana district. B. Hemidesmus indicus from Langthel, Trongsa.
C. Ilex umbellulata from Menchuna, Punakha. D. Canarium strictum from Zhemgang. E. Ehretia acuminata from Nyzerkha, Thimphu. F.
Vaccinium sikkimense from Thrumshingla Pass.

2022] DORJI et al.: New records of plants from Bhutan 177
Aquifoliaceae
3. Ilex umbellulata (Wall.) Loes., Nova Acta Acad. Caes.
Leop.–Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 78: 99, 1901 (Fig. 2C).––TYPE:
CHINA. Yunnan, Syemen, elev. 1,524 m, 15 Jun 1948, A. Henry
13486 (holotype: K000669343!), det. S. Andrews, 1988.
Shrubs or trees, evergreen, up to 25 m tall; young branchlets
brown or castaneous, glabrous, plicate, angular; older
branchlets gray, terete, plicate, with raised leaf scars; petiole
1–1.5 cm, adaxially sulcate, glabrous; leaf blade olivaceous,
opaque on both surfaces, oblong or ovate-oblong, 7–15 × (3.5–
)5–6 cm, papery, lateral veins 9–12 pairs, slightly raised
abaxially, base rounded or obtuse, margin entire, narrowly
recurved, apex abruptly acuminate or obtuse. Terminal buds
conical, small, and glabrous. Inflorescences cymes of order
3–5, umbelliform, solitary. Female flowers sterile anthers
sagittate; ovary ovoid, style present, stigma 4- or 5-lobed. Fruit
red, globose, 5–7 mm in diam.; peduncles 1–2 cm, slightly
stout, persistent stigma thickly discoid, center depressed,
rotate-lobed; laterally smooth, endocarp woody.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Punakha, Menchuna,
elev. 2,445 m, 27.51359N, 89.77027E, 21 Nov 2017, Kezang
Tobgay k.ty-510.
Burseraceae
4. Canarium strictum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 138, 1832 (Fig. 2D).–
–TYPE: Asia. P. W. Leenhouts (holotype: BM000798837!).
Trees up to 60 m, bark smooth, gray brown, resinous.
Leaves to ca. 40 cm, ovate or elliptic, 6–19 × 3.5–6.5 cm,
apex sometimes broadly acuminate or acute, base rounded
or subcordate, short petiolules, margin faintly undulate or
entire, glabrous above, rusty shiny pubescent beneath. Flower
filler form, pinkish white. Sepals 3, basally connate and
valvate; petals 3, white, arranged with induplicate-valvate
aestivation. Stamens 6, in one whorl, filaments were connate
at the base; anthers slightly basifixed and introrse with
intrastaminal, cupular nectary disc (Kumer et al., 2014). Fruits
obovoid to ellipsoid 2.5–4 × 1.5–2.5 cm, stone triangular
sometime.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Zhemgang, Trong,
Bermo, elev. 541 m, 27.1761833N, 90.65898743E, 17 Mar
2021, Phuentsho et al. BTN434, 16711 (THIM).
THAILAND. Lampang, Wahng Nua, Poi Luang National
Park Wahng Gayo Falls area, elev. 650 m, 25 Apr 1997, J. F.
Maxwell 97-425; Chiang Mai, Chom Thong, Doi Inthanon
National Park Mae Klang Luang (Karen) village, elev. 1,115 m,
18
o
31.927'N, 98
o
32.819'E, 5 May 2010, Pavlos Georgiadis 283.
Ethretiaceae (Boraginaceae)
5. Ehretia acuminata R. Brown, Prodr. 1: 497, 1810 (Fig.
2E).––TYPE: AUSTRALIA. Robert Brown 2916 (holotype:
BM001040652!).
Trees to 15 m tall; bark black-gray, laciniate; branches light
brown, smooth; branchlets brown, glabrous, with distinct
lenticels. Petiole 1.5–2.5 cm long, glabrous; leaf blade elliptic
to obovate or oblong-obovate, 5–13 × 4–6 cm, glabrous or
sparsely puberulent, base broadly cuneate, margin regularly
serrate with teeth curved upward, apex acute, apiculate. Cymes
paniculate, 8–15 × 5–8 cm, short pubescent or subglabrous,
axillary buds solitary, compressed. Flowers crowded, fragrant.
Calyx 1.5–2 mm; lobes ovate, ciliate. Corolla white,
campanulate, 3–4 mm; lobes spreading, oblong, longer than
tube. Stamens exserted; filaments 2–3 mm long, inserted on
upper part of base, 0.5–1 mm; anthers ovate, ca. 1 mm. Style
1.4–2.5 mm, branches ca. 0.5 mm. Drupes yellow or orange,
3–4 mm in diam.; endocarp wrinkled, divided at maturity into
two 2-seeded pyrenes.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Thimphu, Nyzerkha,
elev. 2,400 m, 27.38759N, 89.59494E, 23 Jun 2021, Kezang
Tobgay k.ty-540.
AUSTRALIA. Port Jackson, in collibus petrosis, F.L. Bauer
0049532; New South Wales, Williams’ River, 1802, R. Brown
2916 (K000998088).
Ericaceae
6. Vaccinium sikkimense C. B. Clarke, Fl. Brit. India 3:
451, 1882 (Fig. 2F).
Shrubs up to 25 cm tall, many-branched. Twigs angled,
young shoots pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 1–
3 × 1–1.7 cm, acute, base rounded, margins serrulate,
glandular, recurved, midrib and veins glandular beneath,
subsessile, secondary veins 4 or 5 pairs, ascending, with fine
veins inconspicuously raised abaxially, base cuneate or
broadly cuneate, margin plane, apex rounded, mucronulate.
Inflorescences axillary or terminal, racemose, 1.5–3 cm,
pubescent, ca. 6-flowered; ovate-orbicular. Pedicel ca. 6 mm,
glabrous. Hypanthium ca. 1.5 mm, glabrous; calyx limb
divided to 1/2; calyx lobes broadly triangular or undulate, 0.3–
0.6 mm. Corolla urn-shaped, 4–6 mm, pinkish, with red limbs,
densely spreading pubescent; lobes darker, very small,
recurved. Tubular anther tips c 1mm; dorsal spurs minute;
filaments hairy. Fruits not seen.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Bumthang, Ura,
Phrumsengla, elev. 3,715 m, 27.40163391N, 90.99606755E,
12 May 2022, Phuentsho et al. BTN625 (THIM).
INDIA. Lachen Sikkim, elev. 3,962 m, 9 Jun 1949, J. D.
Hooker (K000780578).
CHINA. Yunnan: 1917. G. Forrest 14337 (K000780629);
bor.-occid: Prope fines Tibeto-Birmanicas inter fluios Ludjiang

178 Korean J. PI. Taxon. [Volume 52
(Salween) et Djiou-djiang (Irrawadi orient. Super.), in jugi
Ulula, elev. 4,042.5 m, 27°52', 4 Jul 1916, H.O. Sleumer 6216,
1939 0043109.
Icacinaceae
7. Nothapodytes foetida (Wight) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot.
Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 247, 1940 (Fig. 3A).––TYPE:
SRILANKA. George Gardner 98 (holotype: BM000839366!).
Shrubs or small trees, 3–10 m tall; branchlets ribbed,
puberulous. Leaves ovate or elliptic, 16–18 × 10.5–13 cm,
shortly acuminate, rounded at base, tomentose beneath, soft
to touch; petioles 4–7 cm. Flowers not seen. Drupes ellipsoid,
black when mature with thin hairs.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Trongsa, Langthel,
Tongtophey, elev. 1,065 m, 27.323577N, 90.5862E, 13 Mar
2020, S. Tshewang et al. 15416, 15415 (THIM).
INDIA. 22.883478N, 79.616202E, H. Sleumer (BM000839365).
Lauraceae
8. Machilus edulis King ex Hook.f. Fl. Brit. India 5: 138,
1886 (Fig. 3B).
Trees, up to 13 m, branchlets thick; leaf scars prominent;
shoots and inflorescence silky villous. Leaves obovate-oblong
or sometime oblanceolate, 11–13 × 4–7 cm, subacute, acute
or acuminate, base attenuate, brownish villous beneath,
petioles 0.5–3.5 cm. Panicles 6–13 cm, pedicels stout, 1–
4 mm, pubescent. Fruit globose.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Zhemgang, Trong,
Tamala, elev. 2,018 m, 27.08593213N, 90.64148078E, 6 Nov
2020, Phuentsho et al. BTN368, 17564, 17564, 17565
(THIM).
INDIA. Sikkim: Mudulus water King, 1879, J. L. Lioter
(K000639250), det. Kosterman 1972, det. D. G. Long May
1983.
Malvaceae
9. Grewia asiatica L. Mant. Pl. 122. 1767 (Fig. 3C).
Tall shrubs, up to 4–5 m. The leaves are approximately 5–
18 cm long and broad. Leaves may be ovate, suborbicular,
acute, subacuminate or cuspidate, sharply and often coarsely,
double serrate, subglabrous above, hoary-tomentose beneath
and rounded or only slightly cordate at the base. Flowers
arranged in cymes of several together, individual flowers
yellowish in color with five large (ca. 12 mm) sepals and five
smaller (4–5 mm) petals. Flowers ca. 2 cm in diam., flower
buds broadly cylindric or clavate, peduncles axillary, usually
many, and long and slender. Bracts present beneath the
pedicles. Fruits globose, 1.0 to 1.9 cm in diam., 0.8 to 1.6 cm
in vertical height, and 0.5 to 2.2 g in weight and is edible
portion of plant.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Mongar, Gangola to
Lhuntse, Gyelpoizhzing, elev. 800 m, 27.27260N, 91.19989E,
19 Mar 2019, Kezang Tobgay k.ty-526.
U.S.A. Florida, Miami-Dade, Cult. Egypt. SES Bl. 1.
Homestead, 18 May 1942, S.J. Lynch 174, 38632.
VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa Prov., Dien Khanh Dist., Hon Ba
Mountains, Suoi Cat Village, road transect Suoi Cat Village
to peak at km markers 25-24, along Da Giang River, elev.
110 m, 12.132833, 109.021333, 26 Nov 2004.
Malvaceae
10. Hibiscus fragrans Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 195, 1832 (Fig.
3D).
Large scrambling perennial shrubs, stellate hairy
throughout. Leaves simple, alternate, unlobed, broadly ovate,
2–14 × 1.5–10 cm, acute in smaller leaves, acuminate in larger
leaves, base cordate, margin obscurely serrate, glabrescent;
petiole 1.2–7 cm, tomentose. Flowers not seen. Capsule ovoid,
4–4.5 × 2 cm, densely stellate hairy, peduncle 4–6 cm,
tomentose. Seeds small, hairy, reniform.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Trongsa, Langthel,
Bashaling, elev. 900 m, 27.35382N, 90.56388E, 9 Mar 2020,
S. Tshewang et al. 15419, 15420 (THIM).
VIETNAM. Ninh Binh Rpovince, Cue Phuong National
Park, 20.311333, 105.633, 14 Aug 2000, Cuong N.M. et al.
973 (L. 3914886), det. T. T. Dai, 1 Aug 2000.
Meliaceae
11. Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot.
Lugduno-Batavi 4: 6, 1868 (Fig. 3E).––TYPE: CHINA.
Guizhou, Sud Pin-Fan, Nov 1904, Cavalerie 1911 (holotype:
E00275635!).
Small trees. Young branches grayish-brown with numerous
lenticels. Leaves 11–41 cm; leaflets 4–7 pairs, ovate-elliptic,
3–9 × 2–4 cm, acuminate or acute, base obliquely cuneate,
margins entire or bluntly serrate in the upper half, sparsely
pubescent along the veins beneath. Young leaves sparsely
pubescent throughout. Flowers not seen. Drupes small, 5
lobed, purple when mature.
Fruiting: October–December.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Tsirang, Sergithang,
above Taksha Park Range Office, elev. 476 m, 27.18103667N,
90.07157174E, 4 Dec 2021, Phuentsho et al. BTN606, 18598,
18599, 18638 (THIM); below road Wangdue, elev. 717 m,
27
o
17'07.8″N, 90
o
00'07.9″E, 14 Nov 2011, R. Yangzom 36
(THIM04280); Chukha, Phuntsholing district, near old
hospital, elev. 300 m, 26
o
51'26.6''N, 089
o
23'18.4''E, 23 Feb
2012, Sonam Tshering 58, 04278 (THIM).

2022] DORJI et al.: New records of plants from Bhutan 179
Fig. 3. Newly recorded plant species. A. Nothapodytes foetida from Langthel, Trongsa. B. Machilus edulis from Zhemgang. C. Grewia
asiatica from Mongar. D. Hibiscus fragrans from Langthel, Trongsa. E. Cipadessa baccifera from Sergithang, Tsirang. F. Baccaurea
javanica from Lamoizhingkha, Dagana.

180 Korean J. PI. Taxon. [Volume 52
INDONESIA. Java province, 1 Jul 1944, Blume CL 41
(L0017141).
Phyllanthaceae
12. Baccaurea javanica (Blume) Müll.Arg., Prodr. 15: 465,
1866 (Fig. 3F).––TYPE: Andaman, Sumatra, -0.6, 100.15, 1
Nov 1999, H. Diepenhorst et al. 122 (isolectotype:
U0008284!).
Shrubs to trees 3–12 m tall, diameter at breast height (dbh)
up to 30 cm, branchlets glabrous, densely hairy when young.
Bark (light) brown to pale gray to yellowish to white to silvery
green, finely fissured; Leaves petiole 2–45 mm long,
(sub)glabrous, sometimes with a tuft of short hairs at base,
brown when dry; stipules 1–6 × 1–2 mm, densely hairy on
both sides, margin ciliate, hyaline; lamina obovate (to ovate),
2.9–20 × 1.2–9.5 cm, base cuneate; apex acuminate, up to 15
mm long; upper surface glabrous, sometimes granu-late; lower
surface glabrous, Staminate inflorescences axillary to just
below the leaves, many-flowered, flowers scattered along
inflorescence. Staminate flowers green to white to light yellow
to brownish; pedicel 1.2–4.2 mm long, sepals 4 (or 5), ovate,
apex recurved. Pistillate inflorescences axillary to just below
the leaves (to ramiflorous), solitary, flowers up to 1 cm diam.,
green; sepals 4, ovate to lanceolate. Fruits globose to
cylindrical, fleshy capsules. Seeds ellipsoid to slightly globose,
but laterally flattened.
Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Peninsular
Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi (Talaud Island).
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Dagana, Lamoizhyngkha,
elev. 570 m, 26.744405N, 89.862901E, 12 Jan 2020, Kezang
Tobgay K.ty-505.
Rubiaceae
13. Canthiumera glabra (Blume) K. M. Wong & Mahyuni,
Reinwardtia 17: 108, 2018 (Fig. 4A).––TYPE: INDONESIA.
Java, Mt. Salak, -6.4247, 106.5547, Blume CL (lectotype:
L0062935!).
Trees. Stipules triangular-ovate. Leaves opposite and
decussate on vertical stem axes but distichous on lateral
(horizontal) branches. Inflorescences axillary on lateral
branches, pedunculate, cyme-like or sub-umbellate, bracts
small and inconspicuous. Flowers bisexual; corolla subrotate-
urceolate to broadly cylindric, constricted just below corolla
lobes, glabrous or short-pubescent outside, corolla lobes
spreading in the open flower; stamens alternate with the
corolla lobes, style glabrous or pubescent, stigma globose
to club-shaped, with a slight basal recess. Fruits ellipsoid,
obovoid or obcordate-compressed. Seeds one in each
pyrene.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Degapela to Dagana,
elev. 1,230 m, 27.02396N, 90.04399E, 6 Feb 2017, Kezang
Tobgay K.ty-520; Tsangkha, Dagana, 19 Jun 2021, Kezang
Tobgay K.ty-570; Zhemgang, Buli, 23 May 2019, Kezang
Tobgay K.ty-550.
Salicaceae
Homalium Jacq., Enum. Syst. Pl. 5, 24, 1760.
Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, opposite or verticillate;
stipules caducous; usually petiolate; leaf blade pinnate-veined,
margin with glandular teeth, rarely entire. Flowers bisexual,
small, in terminal or axillary; bracts small, caducous or
persistent; pedicels slender in flower. Sepals and/or petals
often accrescent after anthesis. Calyx tube obconic. Petals
inserted at rim of calyx tube. Stamens inserted singly or in
groups before each petal; filaments free; anthers subglobose.
Capsule obconic, small, fruit a capsule. Seeds 1 to few.
Homalium is globally distributed.
14. Homalium napaulense (DC.) Benth.––TYPE: NEPAL.
1821 (Fig. 4B), Wallich (K000591527!, K000591528!).
Trees 3–15 m tall. Bark brownish, young branches grayish.
Branchlets puberulous. Leaves simple, alternate, elliptic-
lanceolate, 5–11 × 2.5–5.5 cm, acuminate, base cuneate,
margins crenate-serrate, petioles tomentose, 6–8 mm long.
Lateral veins end in gland tipped teeth of the leaf margin.
Inflorescences in dense axillary or terminal panicles, many
flowered. Flowers yellowish white turning brown when old.
Petals oblanceolate, ciliate. Calyx lobes oblanceolate, ciliate,
tube funnel shaped. Fruits not seen.
Specimen examined: BHUTAN. Wangdue Phodrang,
Samthang, Athang, elev. 708 m, 27.20108347N, 90.10890877E,
4 Dec 2021, Phuentsho et al. BTN598, 18597, 18596, 18595
(THIM).
Sapindaceae
Eurycorymbus Hand.-Mazz., Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
Math.-Naturwiss. Kl., Anz. 59: 104, 1922.
Trees, dioecious. Leaves paripinnate, alternate, estipulate;
leaflets serrate. Flowers unisexual, actinomorphic. Sepals 5,
thinly membranous, imbricate. Petals 5, spoon-shaped, shortly
clawed, scale absent. Disk annular, margin crenately lobed.
Stamens (male flowers) 8, sometimes 7, exserted; filaments
slender, conduplicate in buds; anthers ovoid, small. Ovary
(female flowers) obcordiform, 3(or 4)-lobed and 3(or 4)-
loculed; ovules 2 per locule, in pairs; style inserted between
ovary lobes, erect, filiform. Capsules deeply lobed into 3
schizocarps, usually only 1 or sometimes 2 developed, broadly
ovoid or broadly ellipsoid, loculicidal when mature; pericarp

2022] DORJI et al.: New records of plants from Bhutan 181
leathery. Seeds only 1 per fertile schizocarp, subglobose; testa
rigid, arillode absent; hilum small; embryo convolute.
Distributed in southeast Asian countries.
15. Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (H. Lev.) Rehder & Hand.-
Mazz., J. Arnold Arbor. 15: 8, 1934 Fig. 4C).––TYPE:
CHINA. Guizhou: Pin-Fa, 23 Jun 1903, Cavalerie 1094
Fig. 4. Newly recorded plant species. A. Canthiumera glabra from Drujaygang, Dagana. B) Homalium napaulense from Wangduephodrang.
C. Eurycorymbus cavaleriei from Mongar. D. Acmella radicans from Dagana. E. Silene latifolia from Serbithang, Thimphu. F. Cleome
rutidosperma from Phuntsholing. G. Cuphea carthagenensis Gongdu, Mongar.

182 Korean J. PI. Taxon. [Volume 52
(holotype: E00279822!).
Trees, up to 25 m tall, dark gray, branches terete. Petiole
11–31 cm long, axis pilose, blades oblong-lanceolate or
oblong-ovate, 6–10 × 1.5–4 cm, abaxially subglabrous, lateral
veins dense, slender, base cuneate, apex acuminate. Flowers
fragrant. Pedicels 1–4 mm long. Sepals ovate, 0.5–2 mm,
abaxially tomentose. Petals ca. 2 mm, abaxially villous.
Filaments ca. 4 mm, glabrous. Ovary tomentose. Fertile
schizocarps ca. 8 × 7 mm, tomentose. Seeds black; hilum
cinnabar.
Flowering and fruiting: May to October.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Mongar, above Zimgaon,
Shongar Chu, West of Mongar, elev. c 1,500 m, 27°17′, 91°04′,
4 Jul 1979, A.J.C. Grierson & D.G. Long 2470, THIM04245;
Mongar, Shermuhung, Serzhong, elev. 1,359 m, 27.37350365N,
91.33714123E, 13 Oct 2021, Phuentsho et al. BTN577, 18580,
18581, 18583, 18584 (THIM); Mongar, Tredangbe, elev. 680
m, 27.28700N, 91.15029E, Kezang Tobgay k.ty-525; Mongar,
Gangola, elev. 880 m, 27.27259N, 91.19994E, 23 Jun 2018,
Kezang Tobgay k.ty-522.
TAIWAN. Taimali Hsiang, Chihpen to Taimali, elev. ca.
200 m, 30 Oct 1993, Jenn-Che Wang et al. 8971, det. J. C.
Wang.
Asteraceae
16. Acmella radicans (Jacq.) R. K. Jansen, Syst. Bot.
Monogr. 8: 69, 1985 (Fig. 4D).––TYPE: BOLIVIA. Larecaja,
Vacinity of Sorata near Espanda, elev. 2,600 m, 1 Apr 1860,
G. Mandon 63 (holotype: 1898547!).
Herbs, erect, up to 60 cm tall. Stems terete, minutely
pubescent, with few ascending branches. Leaves simple,
opposite; petioles 1–1.2 cm long, sparsely pubescent; leaf
blades 0.4–1.5 × 3–5 cm, 3-nerved, ovate to widely oblong,
abaxially and adaxially isolatedly puberulous to pubescent,
apically acute, basally obtuse, marginally dentate or serrate
and minutely ciliate. Heads few to many, axillary or terminal,
3–8 × 6–8 mm, white, discoid, cone-like, occasionally sub-
globose, peduncles 1–7 cm long, slightly ciliate at the apex.
Flowers per head numerous, discoid, white to greenish white;
papillose, base bulbous; ovate, spreading, glabrous, marginally
entire, apically obtuse. Styles 1–1.5 mm long, arms short,
truncate, densely papillose. Stamens 4, 1.5 mm long,
syngenesious, anthers 0.5–0.6 mm long, brown-black, filaments
0.9–1 mm long. Fruit an achene, dimorphic, ellipsoid, obcordate,
with corky and densely ciliate at margins, marginal ones
trigonous, brownish-black, laterally compressed, 1.5–2.8 mm
long (Jena et al., 2020).
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Dagana, Karmaling,
Dorji Phu, elev. 489 m, 26.754468N, 89.867141E, 15 Jan
2020, Phuentsho et al. BTN145, 17567, 17568, 17569, 17570
(THIM).
Caryophyllaceae
17. Silene latifolia Poir., Voy. Barbarie 2: 165, 1789 (Fig. 4E).
Annual herbs, taproot woody. Stems erect, branched, to
70 cm, stem round internode 3–11 cm, leaves blade hirsute
on both surface; petiolate, blade oblong-lanceolate to elliptic,
apex acute. Flowers open dichasial cymes, bracteates; bracts
much reduced, lanceolate, herbaceous. Pedicels 1–3 cm.
flower unisexual, grow in cluster, tubular, becoming ovate in
pistillate flowers, margin dentate, hirsute and shortly
glandular-pubescent, lobes to 4 mm, broadly ovate with apex
obtuse, to lanceolate with apex acuminate; petals white
forming a corolla, petals 5 in flower, broadly obovate, stamens
equaling to slightly longer than calyx. Capsules ovate.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Thimphu, Chang,
Serbithang near Tenzin Sports Complex, elev. 2,408 m,
27.41766616 N, 89.65310086E, 4 May 2021, Phuentsho
BTN456, 16039, 16040, 16041, 16042 (THIM).
NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Centerbury (EP), 55.03
Whitecliffs, Springfield, Pecock Road, Bishops Gully Stream,
elev. 394 m, 43°20.27'S, 171°55.28'E, 13 Feb 2011, Sneddon,
Barry 11/017, 52 (SP104632), det. Sneddon, Barry, 20 Apr
2016.
Cleomaceae
18. Cleome rutidosperma DC. Prodr. 1: 241, 1824 (Fig.
4F).––TYPE: Locality unknown, G. Don 23 (BM000629009!).
Annual herbs, up to 1 m tall, stem erect. Roots fibrous.
Alternate leaves 3 palmatisect, palmately tri-foliate; rhomboid-
elliptic to lanceolate leaflets about 8–14 × 2–15 mm, acute to
acuminate apex, cuneate at the base, margins subentire,
glabrous above and pubescent beneath on the veins, petiole
slender up to 5 cm. Flowers in the axil of leaf, axillary and
terminal, up to 15 cm long, pedicels in flower up to 2 cm,
lanceolate sepals 4, petals 4, white, pink, lilac, violet or blue,
oblanceolate to elliptic lamina, acute or obtuse at apex,
apiculate. Fruits cylindrical, capsule 3–6 cm × 3–4 mm. Seeds
globular-reniform, orange-brown-black (Ghosh et al., 2019).
Seeds pod 0.5 to 5 cm long.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Chukha, Phuntsholing,
PHPA I transit camp campus, elev. 211 m, 26
o
52'9.974''N,
89
o
22'52.964"E, 15 Nov 2019, Phuentsho BTN076, 15374
(THIM).
SIERRA LEONE. H Smeathman (100570818).
U.S.A. Florida, Environs of the Shrine Club on old
Okeechobee Road, West Palm Beach, 4 Dec 1968, Paul M.
Cassen 458, det. H. H. Iltis, Jan 1969.

2022] DORJI et al.: New records of plants from Bhutan 183
Lythraceae
19. Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J. F. Macbr, Publ. Field
Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 8: 124, 1930 (Fig. 4G).
Perennial spreading herbs. Stem hairy. Leaves opposite,
ovate-elliptic, acute, cuneate at base, 1–3.5 × 0.5–2 cm, both
surfaces rough to touch, younger leaves nearly stalkless.
Flowers small, cymose or solitary in the axil of the leaves.
Petals 6, small, obovate, ca. 2 × 1 mm. Stamens 2–3 mm
long, linear-elliptical, pale purple in color, longer than floral
tube (Das et al., 2018). Capsules not seen.
Specimens examined: BHUTAN. Mongar, Gungdu, Daksa,
elev. 1,320 m, 27.02325693N, 91.16993305E, 10 Oct 2021,
Phuentsho et al. BTN565, 18614 (THIM).
U.S.A. Georgia, Dooly, S of State Hwy.27 and E of Flint
River (N of Lake Blackshear), 23 Jul 1987, Robert A. Norris
5398, 00008267; Florida, Hillsborough Co, N off Vernon Road
(Lutz-Lake Fern Road), ca. 3 mi. W of junction with FL 597,
R18E, Sec. 5, 28.1511, -82.4615, 10 Jun 1986, Wunderlin et
al 10203, 189581.
ORCID:
Rinchen DORJI (0000-0002-3960-1888); Phuentsho
PHUENTSHO (0000-0002-5373-2585); Kencho DORJI
(0000-0001-5563-3196); Sangay TSHEWANG (0000-0003-
1766-6311); Phuntsho WANGDI (0000-0001-5163-1169); Kezang
TOBGAY (0000-0001-6904-4202); Nima GYELTSHEN (0000-
0002-3227-006X); Choki GYELTSHEN (0000-0001-6790-
6278).
Acknowldegments
We warmly thank Dr. Karma Dema Dorji, Program Director
of the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Ministry of
Agriculture and Forests, for her constant motivation and
guidance. The authors would like to thank Centre’s colleagues
who always complimented in giving views and ideas on the
fieldwork and literature review. We are grateful to the
Department of Forests and Parks Services (DoFPS) for
allowing the team to explore the park and biological corridor
regions and the forestry personnels for providing information
on the distributions of the new species. The author would like
to thank wholeheartedly to Mr. Dawa Dorji Lama for
professional processing of the specimens. Our heartfelt
gratitude goes to the editors and anonymous reviews of this
article. We thank the Royal Government of Bhutan for the
financial support to conduct field trips.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
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