Section：Capitatae
Conservation Status：Critically Endangered
Remarks：This name is accepted
References：
Camellia capitata Orel, Curry & Luu Novon 23: 315 (2014) Accepted Name
Camellia capitata Orel, Curry & Luu Orel, G. S. Curry, A. (2015). In Pursuit of Hidden Camellias 32 New Camellia species from Vietnam and China. p.142-146. Theaceae Exploration Associates, Sydney. Australia. Cited Name
» Description
Camellia capitata Orel, Curry & Luu Section: Section: Capitatae, Novon 23(3): 315 (2014), TYPE: Vietnam. Lam Dong Province: Cat Loc, Cat Tien National Park, Plot 511, ca.4 km N of Phuoc Son Forest Station, about 200m, 11/11/2010 (fl.), Pham Hong Thai & Nguyen Danh Hiep CT5 (Holotype, SGN; Isotype, NSW).
The specimen was first discovered by Pham Hong Thai, Nguyen Danh Hiep in 2010 in Cat Tien National Park. In 2014, George Orel, Peter G. Wilson, Anthony S. Curry and Luu Hong Truong published in Novon with the scientific name Camellia capitata, the Vietnamese name is Tra dau because of the inflorescence near the head.
Camellia capitata is distinguished from other Camellia species in southern Vietnam by possessing elliptic to oval, or almost oblong to obovate leaves; sessile flowers, with eight to 10 undifferentiated bracts; two sepals; six petals in two whorls; numerous stamens with outer stamens attached to inner petals; basally fused petals; small, distinct and basifixed anthers; 3-carpellate, roughly triangular, and glabrous ovary and a single, stout, columnar, and glabrous style with a shortly trilobed stigma. Camellia capitata exhibits a number of unique morphological characters that are not found in the currently known, yellow-flowering Camellia species of Vietnam and China.
Distribution and ecology. Camellia capitata is known from its type location only, which is situated within the confines of the northern part of the Cat Tien National Park (Cat Loc Sector) in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. The new species was found in the vicinity of Hamlet 4, Phuoc Cat Commune. Camellia capitata occurs sporadically in small groups of mature plants or as solitary specimens throughout the understory of the evergreen, mixed (broadleaf and bamboo), tropical forest. Camellia capitata thrives in relatively rich, wet, but well-drained soils and in low-light conditions.
IUCN Red List category. The AOO of this new species is estimated to be less than 1 km2. Despite a further search of the area around the type locality, only three to five scattered mature plants were located. Given this situation, we consider the IUCN category of Critically Endangered (CR) to be appropriate (IUCN, 2011).
Phenology. Camellia capitata was collected in flower in November. No mature fruit capsules or seeds were evident.
Etymology. The epithet of the new section and species refers to the predominant morphological character, namely the flowers borne in a terminal, headlike structure that may be composed of up to 14 flower buds.
» Distribution
Vietnam. Lam Dong Province: Cat Loc, Cat Tien National Park
» Description
Camellia capitata Orel, Curry & Luu 组：Capitatae组。Novon 23(3): 315 (2014)越南林同省 Cat Loc, 吉仙国家公园, 511区，, Phuoc Son 林业站以北约4km, 海拔约200米, 11/11/2010 (fl.), Pham Hong
Thai & Nguyen Danh Hiep CT5 (主模式, SGN; 等模式, NSW)
» Distribution
越南林同省, 吉仙国家公园
Species in the Same Section:
