title: Lithocarpus orbicarpus (Fagaceae), a new species of Stone Oak from Phang Nga province, Thailand.
abstract: A new species is described, Lithocarpus orbicarpus Strijk, collected from Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary, Mueang district, Phang Nga Province in the Peninsular Floristic Region of Thailand. We provide the first technical illustrations and colour photographs of the new species, as well as a description of its conservation status and the collecting locality. The species can be easily distinguished by its unique orbicular acorns, each covered with a dense pattern of irregularly placed scales, which completely conceal the nut, except for a tiny apical pore, and which are arranged in a dense cluster on an erect woody spike. We also provide an amendment to the existing diagnostic key to Lithocarpus, and discuss important differences with morphologically similar species found in Thailand and the surrounding region.
authors.affiliation: Ecological Evolution Group, Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, PR China.
authors.forename: Joeri S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Strijk
authors.affiliation: Forest Herbarium (BKF), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sukontip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirimongkol
authors.affiliation: Forest Herbarium (BKF), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sukid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rueangruea
authors.affiliation: Forest Herbarium (BKF), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nikom
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ritphet
authors.affiliation: Forest Herbarium (BKF), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Voradol
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chamchumroon
keywords: Fagaceae; Lithocarpus orbicarpus; Stone Oaks; Thailand; Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary; new species