Thai Vinh Tran’s scientific contributions

Bamboos are widely distributed in a variety of habitats in the Central Highlands. Different researchers treat species differently, leading to ambiguous reporting of generic and infrageneric taxa. Following extensive research, this paper is an updated enumeration report on the bamboos that have been found there. The result has recorded 29 species of bamboo belonging to 15 genera. The Bambusoideae grow naturally in almost all regions, in an altitudinal range that extends from 200 m up to 2,160 m. Bamboo in the Central Highlands is distributed in three vegetation types: degraded natural forests in valleys and mountain gorges, along rivers (twenty-one species); primary forest, mixed with broadleaved trees (six species); and dry dipterocarp forest (two species).

New Camellia species in section Piquetia have recently been discovered. It is necessary to enumerate the number of species and update the specific characteristics of this section. Based on the study of more than 30 pieces of literature and a large number of specimens, a total of 15 species belonging to section Piquetia, including two new species, are identified. A taxonomic key to all species is provided, and typical characteristics of the section are also discussed. Information on the distribution, ecology, and conservation status of each species, as well as notes on the differences between closely related species, is also provided.