VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new floral species belonging to Araceae family in the central province of Khanh Hoa.

The new species.

The scientific name of the new species is Arisaema honbaense Luu, Tich, G.Tran, D.Nguyen & V.Le. It was discovered by a research team from the Southern Institute of Ecology (SIE) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Khanh Hoa Province.

After making analysis and comparison, scientists said that this is the species of the Arisaema genus that has never been known. They have different morphological characteristics compared with the previously described species.

The findings were published in the journal Folia Malaysiana Vol.14 (1) 2013.

According to information posted on the website of the Academy of Science and Technology of Vietnam (VAST), Arisaema genus is often called "Cobra Lilies" in North America since its flower looks like the cobra head.

This genus includes about 150-200 species and subspecies, distributed mainly in Asia, in addition to North America and Northeast Africa.

In Vietnam, according to Pham Hoang Ho (Vietnam Plants, 2000) there are five species of Arisaema in Vietnam but later Gusman, G. & L. Gusman (2006) recorded up to 10 species in Vietnam.

In addition, Nguyen Van Du (Nguyen, 1998 & 2000 and Nguyen&Boyce, 2005) announced 4 more new species and recorded 7 other species with new distribution in Vietnam. In total, there are up to 18 species of the Arisaema genus have been found in Vietnam.

Na Son