Two New Species of Neolitsea (Lauraceae), N. kraduengensis from Thailand and N. vuquangensis from Vietnam and an Analysis of their Phylogenetic Positions using ITS sequences

Abstract

Two novel species of Neolitsea (Lauraceae), Neolitsea kraduengensis Tagane & Yahara and N. vuquangensis Mitsuyuki & Yahara, are described and illustrated. Neolitsea kraduengensis occurs in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei Province, Northeast Thailand. Neolitsea vuquangensis is in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh Province, North Central Vietnam. Morphological differences of the two species from similar species are presented. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed from ITS sequences supports their distinctiveness. Two phenotypically similar species, Neolitsea aurata and N. vuquangensis, with dense golden yellow hairs on the leaf blades, are not sister to each other.