Pistacia cucphuongensis Tran (1981: 24)

He, Chun-Mei, Nguyen, Thi Thanh Huong & Tong, Yi-Hua, 2025, Taxonomic notes on Pistacia cucphuongensis (Anacardiaceae) with its new distribution record in China, Phytotaxa 696 (1), pp. 93-99 : 95

Pistacia cucphuongensis Tran (1981: 24) ( Figs. 1 & 2 ).

Type: — VIETNAM. Hanamninh [now Ninh Binh Province]: Cuc Phuong, 10 January 1963, Tan Ban Nguyen 948 (holotype HN, HN 0000001291!).

Description: —Shrubs 1.5–3 m tall. Branchlets gray-white to dark gray, densely lenticellate. Leaves paripinnate (rarely impari-pinnate) with (5)6–12 subopposite or rarely alternate leaflets; petiole 5–9 cm long, base slightly swollen, together with rachis and petiolules often white-pruinose and pubescent; rachis adaxially centrally ridged, apex with an extension; leaflets opposite or subopposite, subleathery, oblong, oblong-lanceolate, or subrhombic, 3.8–10 × 2–3.5 cm wide, adaxially glabrous except the pubescent midveins, abaxially pubescent, base obliquely cuneate, apex obtuse or retuse; midvein adaxially impressed, abaxially raised; lateral veins 5–8 pairs, branching and anastomosing near margin; minor veins inconspicuous; petiolules robust, 2–3 mm long. Dioecious. Inflorescences axillary panicles, 4–5 cm long; rachis pubescent, sparsely so apically; inflorescence base with 2 large leathery bracts; branches dense, each branch with a bract; bracts externally gray-white tomentose; flowers small, purple-red, shortly pedicellate, pedicel ca. 0.5 mm; bracteole 1, ovate, concave, ca. 1.3 mm long, dorsally pubescent apically and marginally. Male flowers: tepals 5–7, ovate-triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long, apex acute, with a few to several long soft hairs; stamens 4–7; filaments very short; anthers short-cylindric, purple-red, 1–1.5 mm long, apex with a protruding connective; sterile pistil present. Female flowers: tepals similar to male flowers; staminodes absent; ovary globose, glabrous; style very short; stigma 3-lobed, reflexed, ca. 0.3 mm long. Drupe subglobose, 1-locular, 1-seeded; red at maturity.

Etymology: Đại diệp thanh hƯƠng mộc (Vietnamese, referring to its broad leaflets and aromatic properties); 大 叶ậē† (Chinese, large-leaved pistacia).

Phenology: —Flowering in October to February of the next year; fruiting in April to June.

Distribution, habitat and provisional conservation status: — Pistacia cucphuongensis is distributed in North Vietnam (Cao Bang, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh) and South China (Guangxi). It grows on limestone hills at elevations of 200– 900 m. Based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee 2024), we propose a provisional assessment of ‘Least Concern’ (LC), as it is a common species and has a wide distribution range.

Potential usage: —In China, especially in Yunnan Province, leaves of P. weinmannifolia are traditionally used for incense production, and its resin is used for medicine (Ming & Barfod 2008). Our field observations indicate that the crushed branchlets and leaves of P. cucphuongensis emit a similarly aromatic resin. Although no documented uses exist for P. cucphuongensis , its close phylogenetic relationship with P. weinmannifolia (Xie et al. 2014) warrants further investigation into shared phytochemical properties and potential uses.

Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Dahua County, Jiangjun Mountain, 23°44′55.95″N, 107°59′16.11″E, 239 m a.s.l., 3 February 2025, C. M. He & Y. H. Tong TYH-2909 ( IBSC); Daxin County, 28 October 2002, H. Wang 6710 ( PE, 02245126 & 02245127, image); Debao County, 16 November 1958, C. T. Li 602822 ( IBK, IBK 00155121); Debao County, Du’an Township, Fuji Village, 23°16'53.90"N, 106°26'0"E, 826 m a.s.l., 13 January 2017, Debao Expedition 451024170113005 LY ( IBK, IBK 00410204); Debao County, Longguang Township, Houshan, 23°10'42.88"N, 106°45'29.17"E, 591 m a.s.l., 26 June 2015, Debao Expedition 451024150626024 LY ( IBK, IBK 00410205); Debao County, Longguang Township, Dongsanli, 800 m a.s.l., 13 January 1956, Baise Expedition 1584 ( IBK, IBK 00406715; IBSC, 0641578; IBSC, 0423095; PE, 02245959, image); Debao County, Longsang Town, Longtan Village, 23°27'17.38"N, 106°52'45.27"E, 437 m a.s.l., 30 November 2016, Debao Expedition 451024161130023 LY ( IBK, IBK 00410207); Debao County, Yandong Township, Meixu Village, 23°16'40.10"N, 106°45'21.40"E, 612 m a.s.l., 2 December 2016, Debao Expedition 451024161202026 LY ( IBK, IBK 00410206); Jingxi County, Bangliang Forestry District, 650 m a.s.l., 12 November 2008, W. B. Xu 08449 ( IBK, IBK 00222340); ibid., 890 m a.s.l., 29 September 2007, W. B. Xu & Y. Y. Liang B 0090 ( IBK, IBK 00222344); ibid., 890 m a.s.l., 3 May 2008, W. B. Xu & Y.X. Zhu B 0649 ( IBK, IBK 00222346); Jingxi County, Dizhou Township, Guwen Village, Paiguonei Tun, 18 April 2011, Y. F. Huang & H. Z. Lü LHZJX 0193 ( GXMG, GXMG 0096869, image); ibid., 730 m, 22 November 2011, D.X. Nong 15-1 ( GXMG, GXMG 0096873, image); Jingxi County, Dizhou Township, Sili Village, Longjiang Tun, 800 m a.s.l., 19 October 2011, L. Y.Yu et al. YLY326 ( GXMG, GXMG 0096866); Jingxi County, Longbang Town, Qilong Village, 22°53′21.83"N, 106°24′5.11"E, 696 m a.s.l., 31 October 2020, Ping Yang et al. BL1176 ( IBK, IBK 00428810); Jingxi County, Jinlong Township, Jinlong Village, 690 m a.s.l., 20 January 1959, C. T. Li 602822 ( IBK, IBK 00155104 & IBK 00155118); Jingxi County, Longbang Town, Qilong Village, 22°53′21.83"N, 106°24′5.11"E, 696 m a.s.l., 31 October 2020, Ping Yang et al. BL1176 ( IBK, IBK 00428810); Jingxi County, Wuping Township, Xunma Village, 850 m a.s.l., 16 June 2010, W. B. Xu & Y. S. Huang ( IBK, IBK 00222338); Jingxi County, Wuping Township, Baisha, 865 m a.s.l., 23 September 2010, Y. S. Huang & L. Wu LYJX 0606 ( IBK, IBK 00224419); Long’an County, Longhu Mountain, 180 m a.s.l., 22 November 2011, J. C. Yang & Y. B. Liao LH1749 ( IBK, IBK 00307221); ibid., 465 m a.s.l., 29 March 2012, J. C. Yang & R. C. Peng LH2196 ( IBK, IBK 00308529); ibid., 30 October 1981, X. H. Lu & C. H. Huang 11943 ( GXMG, GXMG 0085959, image); Longzhou County, Jinlong Town, 20 December 1977, G.D. Tao15518 ( HITBC, 029846, image); Longzhou County, Nonggang Nature Reserve, 600 m a.s.l., 23 September 1979, Nonggang Expedition 10200 ( IBK, IBK 00155124); ibid., 540 m a.s.l., 2 March 2010, Y. S. Huang y0066 ( IBK, IBK 00215547); ibid., 400 m a.s.l., 19 April 2010, W. B. Xu & B. Pan 10225 ( IBK, IBK 00215550); Pingguo County, Taiping Town, Yanshan Village, Longjiu Tun, 24 May 2015, H. Z. Lü et al. 451023150524005 LY ( GXMG, GXMG 0179636, image); Pingxiang City, Baiyudong, 250 m a.s.l., 26 May 2008, Guangxi Expidetion 1219 ( IBK, IBK 00279827); Pingxiang City, Pingxiang Town, Lianjin Village, Liancheng Tun, 22°07'46.81"N, 106°46'01.56"E, 371 m a.s.l., 11 April 2015, Y. Y. Xie et al. 451481150411020 LY ( GXMG, GXMG 0176667, image); Tiandeng County, Longming Town, Dongnan Village, Gaotun, 22°56'46.32"N, 107°00'47.34"E, 693 m a.s.l., 27 October 2016, Y.D. Peng et al. 451425161027001 LY ( GXMG, GXMG 0184013, image). VIETNAM. Cao Bang Province: Ha Lang District, Dong Loan Municipality, vicinities of Ban Lung and Lung Phuc, about 50 km to E from Cao Bang town, 22°46'N, 106°44'E, 650–700 m a.s.l., 25 November 1998, L. Averyanov et al. CBL626 ( HN; LE, LE 01077800 & LE 01077793, image; MO, MO-4221158, image); Ha Lang District, Duc Quang Municipality, vicinities of Lung Hoai Village, about 43 km to E from Cao Bang town, 22°43′N, 106°40′E, 600–650 m a.s.l., 28 November 1998, L. Averyanov & P. K. Loc. CBL 746 ( LE, LE 01077790 & LE 01077791, image); Thach An District, Van Trinh, about 39 km to SSE from Cao Bang town, 22°21'N, 106°27'E, 600 m a.s.l., 3 December 1998, L. Averyanov et al. CBL839 ( HN); Tra Linh District, Luu Ngoc Municipality, vicinities of Lung Mu Village, about 14 km from Cao Bang town to the N, 22°47'N, 106°18'E, 800 m a.s.l., 13 December 1998, L. Averyanov, N. Q. Binh, N. T. Hiep, P. K. Loc & N.X. Tam CBL 1194 ( LE, LE 01077798, image); Trung Khanh District, Ngoc Khe Municipality, Pac Nga Village, 22°54'59"N, 106°31'44"E, 800–850 m a.s.l., 9 June 2004, L. Averyanov, P. K. Loc, P. V. The, N. T. Vinh HAL 5518 ( HN). Hai Phong City: Cat Hai, Cat Ba, 23 December 1986, Anonymous LX-VN 3345 ( HN, HN 0000001514, HN 0000001515 & HN 0000001516; LE, LE 01077772, image); ibid., 18 December 1986, Budasep et al. LX-VN 3233 ( HN, HN 0000001410; LE, LE 01077776, image); ibid., 800–850 m a.s.l., 4 January 1988, Budasep et al. LX-VN 3674 ( HN). Ninh Binh Province: Nho Quan District, Cuc Phuong National Park, 20°14'13.2"N, 105°43'4.8"E, 222 m a.s.l., 20 December 1999, N. M. Cuong, D. T. Kien & M. V. Sinh 769 ( MO, MO-5336636, image); ibid., 10 January 1963, N. T. Ban 948 ( HN, HN 0000001291); ibid., Nui Mac Mountain, 20°15'10.26"N, 105°43'1.74"E, 222 m a.s.l., 2 May 2010, Susan K. Pell et al. 1100 ( NY, 01415151, image). Thanh Hoa Province: Ba Thuoc, Co Lung, Eo Dieu, 20°25'56"N, 105°14'12"E, 800–850 m a.s.l., 23 September 2003, L. Averyanov, D. T. Doan, J. Regalado & N. T. Vinh. HAL 3334 ( HN); Ba Thuoc, Co Lung, Khuyn, 20°26'31"N, 105°14'55"E, 500–800 m a.s.l., 17 September 2003, L. Averyanov, D. T. Doan, J. Regalado, N. T. Vinh 3012 ( MO, MO-6711387, image). Quang Binh Province: Bo Trach, Tan Trach, about 1.5 km to SE of a Rem Village, 17°23'32"N, 106°12'46"E, 750–900 m a.s.l., 25 January 2005, L. Averyanov, P. K. Loc, P. V. The, N. T. Vinh. HAL 6151 ( HN; MO, MO-4221159, image).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Pistacia cucphuongensis (A–H): A. Habit; B. Male flowering branch; C. Female flowering branch; D. Leaves; E. Terminal extension of leaf axis; F. Male flower, showing sterile pistil; G. Female inflorescence, showing grey-white tomentose bracts; H. Abaxial surface of leaflet, showing pubescence. Pistacia weinmannifolia (I–J): I. Abaxial surface of leaflet; J. Leaves. Photographed by Yi-Hua Tong.

FIGURE 2. Distribution map of Pistacia cucphuongensis (black circled dots).