Capparis paucistaminata Sy, D. V. Hai & Fici 2026, sp. nov.

Capparis paucistaminata Sy, D.V.Hai & Fici, sp. nov. (Figs 1-3; Table 1) DIAGNOSIS. — Capparis paucistaminata Sy, D.V.Hai & Fici, sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to C. rigida M.Jacobs, and can be distinguished from the latter species mainly by stipular thorns 2-3 mm long, present on the old branches (vs very weak and only present on the innovations, later obsolete in C. rigida); base of leaf rounded to nearly cordate (vs acute in C. rigida); apex of leaf acute (vs subacuminate in C. rigida); flowers 3-4 in supra-axillary rows (vs 2 in C. rigida). The new species is also related to C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha by which it is distinguished by stipular thorns 2-3 mm long (vs 6-7 mm long in C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha); pedicels 2-3 cm long (vs 0.6-1 cm long in C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha); sepals lanceolate, glabrous (vs ovate-elliptic, with margins tomentose in C.micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha); petals obovate, hairy only at the base of upper pair (vs linear-oblong, puberulous on both sides in C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha); stamens 6-9 (vs 12-16 in C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha); ovary nearly cylindric (vs ovoid to ellipsoid in C. micracantha subsp. micracantha var. micracantha) (Table 1). TYPE MATERIAL. — Vietnam • Gia Lai Province, Quy Nhon Nam ward; c. 2 m a.s.l. 13°44’34.6”N, 109°12’40.9”E; 6.III.2016; Tran The Bach, Tran Duc Binh, Vu Tien Chinh, Do Van Hai, Hoang Hong Son VK 6775; holotype: HN!, isotype: KRIB! DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT AND PHENOLOGY. — The new species is so far known from a single location in the Ghenh Rang ward, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, at 13°44’34.6”N, 109°12’40.9”E. It was found growing on rocky soil along the roads, at an elevation of around 100 m, with Lantana camara L., Basella alba L., Cassia L. sp. The flowering occurs from March to May. ETYMOLOGY. — The specific epithet is composed of the Latin words “pauci”, meaning “few”, and “staminatus”, “staminate”. CONSERVATION STATUS. — Capparis paucistaminata Sy, D.V.Hai & Fici, sp. nov. is known from the type locality only, occurring in Gia Lai Province, where a few individuals were observed. Based on our observations, the number of individuals is very small and these are localized near roads. Therefore, it is greatly affected by human activities. Survey of the adjacent forests and long-term monitoring of the type locality is required to obtain more information of this species. So that, the new species is assessed here as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2024). DESCRIPTION Ascending shrub 4-5 m tall. Branches green, bearing small knobs surmounted by a thorn; twigs glabrous, at the base usually surrounded by cataphylls. Thorns straight c. 2-3 mm long, directed downwards, or slightly recurved, present on the old branches. Petioles 6.5-7 mm long, glabrous. Leaf blades coriaceous, glabrous, obovate or narrow elliptic, c. 2.8-3 times as long as wide, 5.5-5.7 × 1.8-2 cm; base rounded to nearly cordate; apex acute; secondary veins 5-6 on each side of the midvein; reticulation distinct; upper surface bold green and shiny, lower surface light green. Bud flower lanceolate, with a point at the top. Flowers white, serial, 3-4 in supra-axillary rows; pedicels 2-3 cm long, green, glabrous. Sepals 1-1.3× 0.2- 0.25 cm, light green, glabrous on both sides, lanceolate. Petals obovate, 2.3-2.5 × 0.4-0.6 cm; upper pair white with yellow or purple honey-guide, hairy at the base; lower pair white and glabrous. Stamens 6-9; filaments c. 2-2.5 cm long; anthers c. 2 mm long. The disk is knob-shaped and positioned at the base of the gynophore. Gynophore 1.8-2 cm long, glabrous; ovary nearly cylindric, 4-5 × 1.5-2 mm, glabrous; stigma headsharp, dark red. Fruit unknown.