Biology:Raphiocarpus hapii
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2026) |
| Raphiocarpus hapii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Gesneriaceae |
| Genus: | Raphiocarpus |
| Species: | R. hapii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Raphiocarpus hapii Nguyen, C.W.Lin & Aver., 2026
| |
Raphiocarpus hapii is a species of flowering plant in the family Gesneriaceae. It is endemic to central Vietnam, where it grows in evergreen broad-leaved forests.[1]
Description
Raphiocarpus hapii is a terrestrial perennial herb typically 20–30 cm tall, rarely reaching 50 cm.[1] The stems are pale green to olive green and densely covered with purplish-red hirsute hairs.
Leaves are opposite, petiolate, and unequal in size within each pair. The leaf blades are elliptic to lanceolate, with 5–7 pairs of lateral veins and a densely hairy surface.[1]
The inflorescences are axillary cymes bearing 2–7 flowers. The corolla is tubular, 1.5–1.8 cm long, and pale greyish-pink to dusky greyish-purple externally with maroon tinges. Internally, it is white with maroon to crimson coloration and has scattered hairs in the lower throat.[1]
The species has four stamens arranged in two pairs and produces a narrow, fusiform capsule measuring 1.8–2.5 cm in length.[1]
Taxonomy
Raphiocarpus hapii was formally described in 2026 based on specimens collected in Da Nang and Huế in central Vietnam.[1] It belongs to the genus Raphiocarpus, which comprises about 18 species distributed from southern China to Vietnam.[1]
The specific epithet hapii honors Truong Hoang Hap, the discoverer of the species.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to central Vietnam, specifically recorded from Da Nang and Huế.[1] It grows in primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests on sandstone substrates at elevations of 500–950 m.[1]
Plants are typically found in shaded, humid environments, often along ravines on mountain slopes.[1]
Ecology
Raphiocarpus hapii flowers in July and produces mature fruits by late September.[1]
The species occurs in small, localized populations and is associated with moist forest microhabitats.[1]
Conservation
Based on available data, R. hapii has been tentatively assessed as Data Deficient under the IUCN Red List criteria.[1]
Approximately 150 individuals have been recorded at the type locality in Da Nang, with an additional population of around 50 individuals in Huế. Further populations may exist in nearby mountainous regions, including potentially in Laos.[1]
Similar species
Raphiocarpus hapii closely resembles Raphiocarpus sinovietnamicus but differs in several key features:
- Smaller size (usually under 30 cm tall)
- Hirsute (hairy) stems and leaves rather than appressed hairs
- Fewer lateral leaf veins (5–7 pairs)
- Shorter corolla (1.5–1.8 cm vs. 2.8–3.2 cm)
- Shorter capsule (1.8–2.5 cm vs. 4.5–5.5 cm)[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Nguyen, K. S.; Lin, C. W.; Averyanov, L. V.; Ban, N. K.; Giang, V. H.; Bui, V. T. (2026). "Raphiocarpus hapii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from central Vietnam". Turczaninowia 29 (1): 50–56. doi:10.14258/turczaninowia.29.1.8.
Wikidata ☰ Q138848666 entry
 |  |
