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).