Wednesday, March 14, 2018

[Botany • 2015] Rhododendron leigongshanense • A New Species (Ericaceae) from southwest China


Rhododendron leigongshanense C.H. Yang, Z.G. Xie, Y.F. Yu & Z.R. Yang
in Yang, Xie, Yu & Yang, 2015

Abstract
Rhododendron leigongshanense, a new species from Leishan County, Guizhou Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is close to R. magniflorun W.K. Hu and R. glanduliferum Franchet, but differs by having stipitatus glands on leaf abaxial surface, corolla trumpet-shaped with 7 lobes, 7.58.0 cm long, 810 cm in diameter and calyx 7- lobed.

Keywords: China; Ericaceae; New species; Rhododendron.

Fig. 2. Rhododendron leigongshanense C.H. Yang, Z.G. Xie, Y.F. Yu & Z.R. Yang, sp. nov.
A. Habitat and habit; B. Leaf blade showing stipitatus glands on leaf abaxial surface; C. Flower, showing trumpetshaped corolla with 7 petals; D. Capsule.

Rhododendron leigongshanense C.H. Yang, Z.G. Xie, Y.F. Yu & Z.R. Yang, sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: The new species is morphologically similar to R. magniflorum and R. glanduliferum, but differs by its leaf abaxial surface with stipitatus glands, corolla trumpet-shaped with 7 lobes, 7.5–8.0 cm long, 8–10 cm in diameter, and calyx 7-lobed.
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Etymology: The specific epithet is named after the type locality Leigongshan
Vernacular name: Leigongshan Dujuan. 

 Habitat: This species grows in evergreen broad-leaved forests on limestone hills at 1,400 m.
Distribution: So far, this species is only known from the type locality Leigongshan Nature Reserve, Leishan County, Guizhou Province, southwest China.


Cheng-Hua Yang, Zheng-Guo Xie, Yong-Fu Yu and Zhi-Rong Yang. 2015. Rhododendron leigongshanense (Ericaceae), A New Species from China. Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy. 22(2); 119-123.  DOI:  10.3329/bjpt.v22i2.26073