A new species, Phanera htamanthiensis (Leguminosae-Cercidoideae), and specimen-verified checklist of Phanera in Myanmar

Summary The genus Phanera is the largest segregate from the formerly broadly circumscribed, pantropical genus Bauhinia and is characterised by a lianescent habit and three fertile stamens. During an expedition to Myanmar in 2016, a specimen of Phanera with white flowers was collected in Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary in the Sagaing Region. The specimen could not be identified using dichotomous keys or descriptions in the literature, or by matching with herbarium specimens. It was found to most closely resemble the species P. nervosa but differed in petal dimorphism, much larger lateral petals lacking a distinct claw, leaf indumentum and longer anthers. It is newly described here as a distinct species. A morphological description is provided, along with a line drawing, colour photographs and a distribution map. A table of comparative species characters is presented, and a provisional IUCN Red List conservation assessment which designates the species as Endangered. In addition, a checklist of the Phanera species in Myanmar is presented, supported by verified herbarium voucher specimens. The species here described brings the total number of Phanera species known from Myanmar to 17, including five varieties.