Eui-Kwon Jung1P, Jung-Hoon Lee2, Homervergel G. Ong2,3, Young-Dong Kim1,3

1Department of Life Sciences, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea; 2On Saengmul Research Institute, Inc., Chuncheon, Korea; 3Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea

The genus Henckelia Spreng. (Gesneriaceae) is a species-rich group distributed across South and East Asia, comprising approximately 83 species. Its centers of diversity are recognized in the Eastern Himalayas, Northeastern India, and Southwest China. In Myanmar, the genus was previously reported to include 18 taxa, following recent floristic updates. During a botanical expedition in Kachin State, northern Myanmar (2017-2019), a population of acaulescent, lithophytic Henckelia was discovered on shaded rock surfaces. Based on diagnostic morphological characteristics, including its whorled leaves, complete absence of bracts, and solitary flowers, the specimens were identified as Henckelia mishmiensis (Debbarman ex Biswas) D.J.Middleton & Mich.Möller. The floral morphology is further characterized by funnel-shaped corollas with a white tube, violet lobes, and yellow markings in the throat. The discovery of H. mishmiensis in Kachin State represents the first record of this species in Myanmar, increasing the known diversity of the genus in the country to 19 taxa.