Aschistanthera phucanhensis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), a new species from Phu Canh Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh province, Northwest Vietnam

A detailed description and illustrations are provided for the new species, Aschistanthera phucanhensis, from Phu Canh Nature Reserve in Hoa Binh province, Northwest Vietnam, are presented in this work. This marks the second known species within the genus. The novel species is differentiated from its related species, the type species of this genus, A. cristanthera, by several characteristics.

These include the adaxial lamina surface being hirsute-hispid (vs. glabrous), with suprabasal veins (vs. basal), the hypanthium and sepals are covered with red hirsute-hispid or gland-tipped hirsute-hispid (vs. absent hairs), and the anther ventral cleft is cordate (vs. ventral cleft totally absent). According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, A. phucanhensis is assessed to be data deficient (DD).