The genus Stephania L. comprises ca. 60species mostly distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia^[1]. Thirty-seven species are recorded in China^[1], fifteen in Thailand^[2], and seven species and one variety in Laos^[3]. In Vietnam, the genus currently consists of 13 species and one variety^[4]. After examining all the specimens of Stephania collected in Vietnam, two specimens representing one species collected from the plateau of Gialai Province drew our attention. This species is most similar to S. longa, but differs from the latter by many morphological characters, such as the shape of leaf blade, the length of peduncle, the color of sepals and petals and the size of male inflorescences. After referring to the related literature^{[2-3, 5-7]} and comparing with species from neighboring countries, we found that it was conspecific with S. brevipes, which is distributed in Thailand and never recorded from Vietnam before. Thus, it is reported as a new record for the flora of Vietnam here. A detailed morphological description, a line drawing and color plate as well as distribution and ecology information of this species are provided.

Stephania brevipes Craib, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew 1922: 228. 1922. Type: Thailand, Doi Suthep, 900 m, 21 June 1914, Kerr 3255 (holotype K!, isotype BM!). (Figs. 1 & 2)

(Fig. 1)

Fig. 1 Stephania brevipes Craib. A: Fruiting branch; B. Leafy branch; C: Male flower; D: Sepal; E: Petal; F: Endocarp; G. Fruits. (Drawn by Cui Ding Han, from VTC 73 & VTC 76.)

(Fig. 2)

Fig. 2 Stephania brevipes Craib. A: Habit; B, D: Male inflorescence; C: Leaf; E, G: Male flower; F: Sepals; H: Fruiting branch; I: Fruits; J: Endocarp. (Photographed by Vu Tien Chinh)

Vine climber without tubers; stems very slender, glabrous or papillose-puberulous. Leaf blade thinly papyraceous, broadly triangular-ovate, sometimes rotund, 4-7 cm×3.5-5.5 cm, base truncate or very slightly cordate, apex obtuse or slightly emarginate, glabrous, lower surface papillose and sometimes glaucous; petiole 3-8 cm long, longer than leaf blade, palmately 8-9-vined. Inflorescence axillary or on leafless stems; male inflorescence a small umbelliform few-flowered cyme, peduncle ca 0.5 cm long, sometimes papillose-puberulous; male flowers pedicellate; sepals 6, yello-wish, elliptic, free, 1.2-1.8 mm long, the inner 3 slightly broader, adaxially glabrous, abaxially pube-rulous; petals 3, red-violet, free, obovate, ca. 0.8 mm long; synandrium 0.7-0.8 mm long; female inflore-scence ca. 2.5-3.5 cm long; carpels ca. 0.75 mm long. Drupes pink, nearly rotund, glabrous, 0.6-0.8 mm diam.; endocarp ca. 5 mm long, abaxially ornamented with 6 or slightly more rows of transverse ridges, condyle perforate.

Distribution: Vietnam (Gialai), Thailand (Doi Suthep).

Habitat and ecology: Stephania brevipes is only known from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gialai Province in Vietnam. It grows in the edges and roadside thickets of evergreen forests at an elevation of 948 m.

Phenology: Flowering in May -June and fruiting in July-September.

Vietnamese name: Bình vôi cụm hoa ngắn.

Notes: Stephania brevipes is similar to S. longa in general habit, but differs from the latter in having broadly triangular-ovate to triangular-oblate (vs. triangular-ovate) leaves, a small umbelliform cyme (vs. compound umbelliform cymes) of male inflore-scence with peduncle ca 0.5 cm (vs. 1-4 cm) long, red-violet (vs. greenish yellow) petals, and endocarps with 6 (vs. 10) or slightly more rows of transverse ridges (Table 1).

(Table 1)

Table 1 Morphological comparison of Stephania brevipes and S. longa S. brevipes S. longa Leaf blade Broadly triangular-ovate, to triangular-oblate Triangular-ovate Male inflorescence Umbelliform cymes, axillary or on leafless stems, peduncle ca. 0.5 cm long Compound umbelliform cymes, axillary, peduncle 1-4 cm long Sepas 6, yellowish 6 or 8, yellowish green Petal 3, red-violet 3 or 4, greenish yellow Endocarp 6 or slightly more rows of transverse ridges 10 or slightly more rows of transverse ridges

Table 1 Morphological comparison of Stephania brevipes and S. longa

Additional specimens examined: Vietnam. Gia Lai Province: Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Mang Giang Town, 14°12′28.2′ N, 108°19′01.6′ E, 948 m alt., 13 July 2012, Vu Tien Chinh, VTC 73(♀) (VNMN, IBSC); ibidem., 13 July 2012, Vu Tien Chinh, VTC 76 (♂) (VNMN, IBSC).

Acknowledgments We would like to thank the curators of the following herbaria for their help during this research: VNMN, HN, IBSC and K. Our thanks also go to Mr. Cui Ding-hai who helped to draw the illustration.