B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 38. 2007 (Budapest, 2007)

Rácz, István; Huyen, D. D.: Study of a low-elevation occurrence of Pinus dalatensis Ferré (Pinaceae) in Gia Lai province, Vietnam

CONCLUSIONS The locality at Kon Jot represents one of the lowest occurrences of Pinus dalatensis and is an addition to the presently known distribution of the species. Figure 2 is a modified range map combining that of BUSINSKY (1999), LUU and THOMAS (2004), the Kon Jot forest, and the sites in Laos discussed in THOMAS et al. (2007). Since there are unconfirmed occurrences of the species at even lower elevations over the larger area in the Dak Doa district (Gia Lai province), further investigation needs to be done to identify possible additions to the range of the species. Based on morphological characters, the trees of Pinus dalatensis observed above Kon Jot may be assigned to both the type variety (subspecies) and var. bidoupensis. The leaves and cones on average are relatively short, and fall within the range of var. dalatensis. The mostly glabrous and initially pruinose branchlet refers the specimens to var. bidoupensis. Interestingly, one tree here (documented under #69176) having cylindrical closed cones (without stalk) up to 14 by 3 cm (a length-width ratio close to 5) shows resemblance to the cones of Businsky's subsp. procera. BUSINSKY (1999) himself refers to variation within populations in the entire range of the species. The characters of the 6 trees documented in this study most closely fit with Businsky's description of Pinus dalatensis var. bidoupensis. However, it would be premature to state that the whole population represents this variety. Further study of the Kon Jot forest is highly recommended in order to assess the full extent of this population and clarify its taxonomic position. Acknowledgements - The study trip was organised in cooperation between and with support from the International Dendrological Research Institute, Inc. (IDRI) and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi (VAST), with additional support from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. We express sincere thanks to Prof. N. D. Chinh, Department of Ecology, Da Lat University (Lam Dong) and to the leaders of the Mang Yang Forest Station for their guidance and permission. We also acknowledge the support of Mr Elemér Barabits (Altekfa Nursery, Alsótekeres/Balatonvilágos) and the International Dendrological Foundation (IDF), Hungary. For reviewing and commenting the article we thank Zsolt Debreczy