Capparis macrantha sp. nov. (Capparaceae, Brassicales), a new shrub species from a deciduous forest of the Nam Kading National Protected Area (central Lao PDR)

Capparis macrantha Souvannakhoummane, Fici & Lanorsavanh sp. nov., a new shrub speciescharacterized by erect or ascending habit, stipular thorns, large lanceolate-elliptic leaves and largeflowers in supra-axillary rows, is described and illustrated from the deciduous forest in Nam KadingNational Protected Area (central Lao PDR). The new species belongs to Capparis sect. MonostichocalyxRadlk. and is morphologically similar to C. radula Gagnep., a shrub widespread in the Indochinese area,differing in the shorter, straight stipular thorns, larger leaves, larger sepals and petals, higher numberof stamens with longer filaments and longer gynophore and ovary. Its affinities with related taxa arediscussed and a key is provided for the species of Capparis L. known from Lao PDR. The conservationstatus of the new species is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1).