Craibella phuyensis (Annonaceae): A New Genus and Species from Thailand

Abstract

A new genus and species, Craibella phuyensis (Annonaceae), is described from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. Craibella is a genus of small trees with pendent, unisexual flowers; the petals are in two whorls, with the larger inner whorl forming a mitriform dome over the reproductive organs. It is suggested that the genus is most closely related to Pseuduvaria and Orophea, but is distinguished from both by the combination of leaf-opposed inflorescences, elongated-conical torus in staminate flowers, and unusual staminal connectives that are apically expanded but do not extend distally over the thecae. Other significant differences include unisexual flowers, distinguishing Craibella from Orophea, and solitary pollen grains (monads), distinguishing it from Pseuduvaria.