Exploration of Hiptage (Malpighiaceae) diversity in Vietnam reveals a new species with wingless fruits
<i>Hiptage</i> (Malpighiaceae) is a genus almost exclusively native to Asia, with a single species, <i>Hiptagebenghalensis</i>, being a noxious invasive plant in several areas of the world and particularly threatening the native flora of the Mascarene Islands. Whereas 17 <i>Hiptage</i> species have been reported from Vietnam, there is currently no available genetic information that could be used to confirm the species diversity in the country. Through a study combining phylogenetic and morphological analyses of newly-collected samples and herbarium specimens, we were able to accurately identify five <i>Hiptage</i> species in Vietnam. One of these, <i>Hiptageaptera</i>, represents a species new to science. Specimens of the new species show white to slightly pink petals, erect to forward-curved petals, eight tiny calyx glands and wingless fruits, a unique feature within this genus. Our results strongly support Vietnam as one of the diversity centres of the <i>Hiptage</i> genus with 18 species out of the 48 species. Although we could not determine the source of introduction of <i>Hiptage</i> in the Mascarenes Archipelago, our findings highlight the genetic similarity of all <i>Hiptagebenghalensis</i> samples collected in its secondary distribution areas, suggesting a probable single introduction. This is consistent with historical reports dating the plant's introduction to the Mascarenes to the 18<sup>th</sup> century.
Authors
- Dang Hoa Tran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3421-9444)
- Pierre Lefeuvre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2645-8098)
- Quang Diệp Đinh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1462-0070)
- Truong Van Do (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-5513)
- Truc Thi Ngoc Nguyen
- Rafael Felipe de Almeida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9562-9287)
- Florent Martos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1213-5466)
- Huỳnh Kỳ (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7615-2866)
- Giang Nguyen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5156-4904)
- Mathieu Rouget (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6172-3152)
- Jean‐Philippe Deguine (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-3707)
- Tuan Diep Tran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3355-7951)
- Dang Khoa Tran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0842-5279)
- Mai Thi Xuan Lam
- Anh Tuấn Lê (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5917-3243)
- Xuan Thi Trinh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0513-7922)
- Jean-Noël Rivière
- Marie-Stella Jagou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0351-940X)
- Giang Quoc Van
Institutions
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (FR)
- Can Tho University (VN)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (GB)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- Hue University (VN)
- Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (VN)
- Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical (RE)
- Plant Health Institute de Montpellier (FR)
- Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VN)
- Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City (VN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PhytoKeys
- Published
- 2025-06-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.256.148573
- Primary Topic
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
- Université de La Réunion