Saturday, November 30, 2019

[Botany • 2019] Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae) • A New Species of Yellow Camellia from Limestone Karsts in southwestern China


Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu

in Hu, Wei, Liufu, et al., 2019. 

Abstract
Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from southwestern Guangxi, China. It is morphologically similar to Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan & S. Z. Huang, C. mingii S.X. Yang and C. tuyenquangensis D.V. Luong, N.N.H. Le & N. Tran, but it differs from these species in having glabrous young branches, glabrous petiole, glabrous sepals, glabrous petals, glabrous stamens and glabrous ovary, 10 petals, cylindrical ovary and style 3-lobed to 1/6 style length.

Keywords: Camellia, China, limestone flora, taxonomy, Theaceae

Figure 1. Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. A flowering branch B lateral view of flower C fruit and style D fruit, sepals and bracteoles E stamen F pistil. Drawn by Xincheng Qu. 

Figure 2. Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. A habit B flowering branch C face view of flower D fruit, sepals and bracteoles E fruiting branch F pistil. Photographed by Renchuan Hu.

Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Morphologically, the new species is similar to Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan & S.Z. Huang, C. mingii S.X. Yang and C. tuyenquangensis D.V. Luong, N.N.H. Le & N. Tran, but it differs from these species in having glabrous young branches, glabrous petiole, glabrous sepals, glabrous petals, glabrous stamens and glabrous ovary, 10 petals, cylindrical ovary and 3-lobed to 1/6 style length.

Type: China. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Debao County, Jingde Town, Tuoliang village, at the entrance of one of karst caves, rare, ..., 760 m a.s.l., 13 January 2017 (fl.), R.C. Hu HRC170113002 (holotype: GXMI!, isotypes: GXMI!, KUN!, NHMG! and IBK!).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Debao County, Guangxi.


Renchuan Hu, Sujuan Wei, Yongqing Liufu, Yunkai Nong, Wei Fang. 2019. Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae), A New Species of Yellow Camellia from Limestone Karsts in southwestern China. PhytoKeys. 135: 49-58.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.135.38756