The genus Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) is native to southern China and Southeast Asia and currently comprises about 245 accepted species. Over the past three decades, the number of recognized Aspidistra species has increased rapidly in China and Vietnam. But in Laos, it is only in the past decade that the number has begun to increased significantly, with 12 species being recognized to date.
Researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have conducted a series of field surveys in Bolikhamsai and neighbouring provinces in central Laos over the past years. They collected an unknown species of Aspidistra with a distinctive structure of stigma during a survey in Khamkheuth District. After careful morphological studies, they confirmed is as a species new to science.
The new species is named Aspidistra khamkheuthensis referring to the name of type locality, Khamkheuth District. It is morphologically similar to Aspidistra attenuata in the shape and size of perigone tube and lobes, but differs from the latter in its leaf blade shape and length, perigone color, stamens position, anther shape, pistil shape and size, as well as stigma shape and color.
Aspidistra khamkheuthensis produces dramatic, fleshy flowers with perigones ranging from dark red and reddish-purple to nearly blackish-purple. The flowers are solitary, borne on short peduncles, and feature 8(–9) revolute lobes with longitudinal ridges. The most distinctive feature is the table-shaped pistil, which stands 5–6 mm tall. The stigma is subrotund, with 8–10 lobed margins, bright pink in the center, transitioning to blackish-purple at the lobes and margin.
Aspidistra khamkheuthensis is currently known from only a single population, with fewer than 200 mature individuals. It occurs at the edge of a national park, close to farmland, and is therefore vulnerable to human activities. The researchers thus assessed its conservation status as critically endangered (CR) based on the UCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
In addition to the new species, the researchers also report Aspidistra multiflora as a new record for the flora of Laos. Previously known only from Thanh Hoa Province in Vietnam, this species was found in Phou Hin Poun National Park, Thaphabath District, Bolikhamsai Province, growing in broad-leaved evergreen forest at around 197 m elevation.
The new species and new record of Aspidistra have been published in Phytotaxa.
Aspidistra khamkheuthensis (Image by XI Houcheng)
Aspidistra khamkheuthensis (Image by XI Houcheng)
Aspidistra multiflora (Image by XI Houcheng)
Published: 14 May 2026
