No abstract

Two species of Camellia L. (Theaceae) are described here as new: C. curryana and C. longii. The new species were discovered in the southern Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and are endemic to tropical rainforest remnants that occur at altitudes between 1500 and 1700 m a.s.l. Camellia curryana possesses almost sessile, unevenly circular, two whorled, white‐cream and proximally yellowish flowers, proximally joined outer stamens, three styles and mature fruit that dehisces into three parts, or longitudinally into two halves. Camellia longii has campanulate or almost campanulate, intensely dark orange to red flowers with uneven whitish margins, 5–6 petals and 3–2 petaloids, filaments that are united with the petals and one another, a diamond shaped ovary and compound 5–6 styles that are connate at the base.

A new Vietnamese species of the genus Camellia L. (Theaceae, Theoidae) is described and illustrated as C. luteocerata Orel. This species occurs in the rainforests of Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Morphological characteristics that distinguish it from related Camellia species are presented and discussed. Morphological evidence supports a taxonomic placement in a new section, which is described here as Camellia sect. Dalatia Orel, within C. subgen. Protocamellia (sensu Chang).

Scent production is a rare phenomenon in the genus Camellia, which is otherwise very diverse. This study provides the ¼rst report of GC-MS analyses of the volatile compounds synthesized and emitted by six Camellia species belonging to three subgenera. Solvent extracts mainly contained derivatives of the terpenoid, phenylpropanoid and fatty acid metabolisms. Members of subgenus Metacamellia mainly accumulated 2-phenylethanol, while C. japonica of subgenus Camellia mainly synthesized monoterpenes and C. yuhsienensis of subgenus Paracamellia displayed a balanced mix of constituents. Headspace analysis of emitted volatiles con¼rmed the volatile composition and the rosy note of the scent of all species (due to 2-phenylethanol, (±) linalool and some of their derivatives). Analysis of dissected tissues revealed that stamens accumulated 3-50 times more volatiles than petals and that carpels and sepals were the weakest producers of volatiles. These latter organs were the main source of heptanol. Phenylpropanoid and terpenoid derivatives accumulated differentially in both petals and stamens. Tissue distribution differed among Camellia species.

A new species of Camellia L. (Theaceae) endemic to the Da Lat Plateau in southern Vietnam is described and illustrated: Camellia hongiaoensis Orel & Curry. The newly described species possesses mostly solitary, axillary or terminal flowers; bracts 5; sepals 3-5, transitional to petals (petaloids); petals 7-10; the outer whorl consisting either of sepals or petaloids is distinct, a random arrangement of petals in a tight and uneven spiral, numerous proximally fused stamens and gynoecium 4-or 5-carpellate.