The genus Liparis ( Orchidaceae ) in Hon Ba nature reserve , Vietnam , Khanh Hoa province

Liparis Rich. is rather large genus of orchid family (Orchidaceae), which includes 320–350 species widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world with maximal diversity in tropical Asia (Chen et al., 2009). The territory of Eastern Indochina and particularly Vietnam certainly represent one of its richest taxonomic centers. Available modern monographic assessments of the genus in Vietnamese flora record here 49 species belonging to all three its recognized sections (Averyanov, Averyanova, 2003; Averyanov, 2013). Recent field investigations discovered four more species (L. caudata Aver. et K. S. Nguyen, L. delicatula Hook. f., L. gamblei Hook. f., L. longispica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen) new for the flora of Vietnam (Averyanov et al., 2016). In addition, one recently discovered species of the genus is described here (L. honbaensis Aver. et Vuong) and one is recorded as a novelty for the flora of Vietnam (L. tenuis Rolfe ex Downie). As a result, total number of Liparis species recorded in Vietnam reaches presently 55 entities (Table 1). At the same time related floras, such as Thailand, Laos and China comprise 35, 13 and 63 Liparis species respectively, some of which are regarded as local endemics (Seidenfaden, 1976; Newman et al., 2007; Schuiteman et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2009; Tetsana et al., 2013). Some of these species well known in neighboring countries may be found in Vietnam additionally to strictly endemic undescribed species, which undoubtedly inhabit numerous still unexplored mountainous areas of the country. Hence, investigation and inventories of local floras in mountain systems still giving home to rich primary woods are very important to understanding of actual plant diversity of Vietnam. In this connection flora of Hon Ba Mountains officially protected now as Hon Ba nature reserve represents one of the most significant refuges giving home to aboriginal primary woods harboring many species of ancient migrations and numerous taxa of own local endemism.


Introduction
Liparis Rich. is rather large genus of orchid family (Orchidaceae), which includes 320-350 species widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world with maximal diversity in tropical Asia (Chen et al., 2009).The territory of Eastern Indochina and particularly Vietnam certainly represent one of its richest taxonomic centers.Available modern monographic assessments of the genus in Vietnamese flora record here 49 species belonging to all three its recognized sections (Averyanov, Averyanova, 2003;Averyanov, 2013).Recent field investigations discovered four more species (L.caudata Aver.et K. S. Nguyen, L. delicatula Hook.f., L. gamblei Hook.f., L. longispica Aver.et K. S. Nguyen) new for the flora of Vietnam (Averyanov et al., 2016).In addition, one recently discovered species of the genus is described here (L.honbaensis Aver.et Vuong) and one is recorded as a novelty for the flora of Vietnam (L.tenuis Rolfe ex Downie).As a result, total number of Liparis species recorded in Vietnam reaches presently 55 entities (Table 1).At the same time related floras, such as Thailand, Laos and China comprise 35, 13 and 63 Liparis species respectively, some of which are regarded as local endemics (Seidenfaden, 1976;Newman et al., 2007;Schuiteman et al., 2008;Chen et al., 2009;Tetsana et al., 2013).Some of these species well known in neighboring countries may be found in Vietnam additionally to strictly endemic undescribed species, which undoubtedly inhabit numerous still unexplored mountainous areas of the country.Hence, investigation and inventories of local floras in mountain systems still giving home to rich primary woods are very important to understanding of actual plant diversity of Vietnam.In this connection flora of Hon Ba Mountains officially protected now as Hon Ba nature reserve represents one of the most significant refuges giving home to aboriginal primary woods harboring many species of ancient migrations and numerous taxa of own local endemism.
Hon Ba Mountains represent eastern branch of Dalat Plateau, integrative central part of highland area known in modern Vietnamese geography as Central Highlands, vast elevated area of southern part of Truong Son (Annamite) Range.Various landforms spread here from sea level to the highest point of Hon Ba elevated to 1578 m a.s.l.Mountainous landscape gives here home to large spectrum of plant communities.Close sea proximity provides very high humidity observed in all elevated highland habitats, which are particularly rich in orchids.There are three new orchid species were found in Hon Ba Mountains recently, namely Vanilla atropogon Shuit., Aver.et Rybkova, Cordiglottis longipedicellata Joongku Lee, T. B. Tran et R. K. Choudhary, and Miguelia cruenta Aver. et Vuong (Choudhary et al., 2013;Schuiteman et al., 2013;Averyanov, Truong Ba Vuong, 2015 Annotated list of discovered and described species is presented below in a form of standard taxonomic treatment.
Section includes about 100 species distributed all around generic area with maximal species diversity in tropical Asia.In Vietnam 20 species occur; 3 species are recorded in studied area.
Ecology and phenology.Primary humid broadleaved evergreen montane forest at elevation 1400-1500 m.Flowers in May.
Ecology and phenology.Primary humid broadleaved evergreen submontane forest at elevation 1100-1200 m.Flowers in August -September.
Ecology and phenology.Broad-leaved evergreen submontane forest at elevation 800-900 m, commonly along streams.Flowers in May.
Ecology and phenology.Broad-leaved evergreen submontane forest at elevation about 1300 m.Flowers in October.

Table 1 Liparis Rich. species hitherto recorded in Vietnam Species
recorded in Hon Ba Mountains are marked with bold font; species recorded as new for the flora of Vietnam is marked by asterisk (*), species discovered and described as a new for science is marked by double asterisk (**).
Mountains (L.mamillata and L. ngoclinhensis) have been known earlier only from their type localities.