Reinstatement of Lithocarpus longispinus (Fagaceae): a species confined to the Malay Peninsula (southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia)

Wei Harn Tan; Faizah Metali; Sukontip  Sirimongkol; Joeri Sergei  Strijk

doi:10.20531/tfb.2026.54.2.09

Authors

Wei Harn Tan Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
Faizah Metali Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
Sukontip Sirimongkol Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Joeri Sergei Strijk Alliance for Conservation Tree Genomics, Kuala Lumpur 51000, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2026.54.2.09

Keywords:

Indochina, Malesia, nomenclature, Stone oak, Sundaland, taxonomy

Abstract

Lithocarpus is a major Asian endemic genus of (sub)tropical trees found throughout the region. The nearly 350 species can be difficult to identify in the absence of good fruiting material, often leading to confusion and misidentification. Once recognized as a distinct species, Lithocarpus longispinus is currently a heterotypic synonym of Lithocarpus wrayi. Following careful examinations and comparisons of herbarium specimens throughout the distribution range, along with in situ collections, we find distinct morphological differences between the two species. Here we define the diagnostic morphological traits, provide a complete description of the species along with an initial conservation assessment and propose the reinstatement of L. longispinus.

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