As a primary source of anticancer camptothecin, Camptotheca (Nyssaceae) is an economically valuable genus and has long been recorded as endemic to China. Here, Camptotheca is reported as a new record to the flora of Vietnam with the discovery of a wild population of C.acuminata from Lai Chau Province of northern Vietnam. Based on the consultation of relevant literature and type specimens of C.acuminata, a lectotype of the species is designated. Photographic illustrations, morphological description and a distribution map of C.acuminata is provided, and a key to all known species of Nyssaceae in Vietnam is presented, too.
Keywords: Camptotheca; Northern Vietnam; Nyssaceae; lectotype.
Zhen-Hua Zhu, Ngoc Bon Trinh, Thanh Son Hoang, Bo Li.