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| Piper semi-transparens C.Y. Hao & Y.H. Tan
in Hao, Wu, Qin, ... et Tan, 2020.
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Abstract
We conducted morphological and molecular analyses to describe a new species of Piperaceae, Piper semi-transparens, which was observed in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces, China. Detailed morphological comparisons between the newly discovered species and other members of Piper indicate that Piper semi-transparens is similar to P. bonii and P. bonii var. macrophyllum, from which it differs in having glabrous leaf blades; stem densely short and unbranched pubescent when young, glabrous when mature; veins 5(–7); stamens 2; stigmas 3, rarely 4; spikes color white when mature; floral bracts glabrous; pericarp white and semi-transparent. Molecular analyses based on the ITS marker of nuclear ribosomal DNA strongly support that P. semi-transparens is a new species in the genus Piper, most closely related to P. bonii and P. bonii var. macrophyllum.
Keywords: diversity, ITS, taxonomy, tropical flora, Magnoliids
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| FIGURE 2. Piper semi-transparens C.Y. Hao & Y.H. Tan. A. Habit; B. Adaxial surface of leaf; C. Abaxial surface of leaf; D. Male spike; E. Detail of male spike; F. Female spike; G. Detail of female spike; H. Infructescence; I. Detail of infructescence; J. Transection of infructescence; K. Seed (side view); Photographed by C.-Y. Hao. |
Piper semi-transparens C.Y. Hao & Y.H. Tan, sp. nov.
Type:—CHINA. Hainan: Lingshui County, Diaoluoshan National Natural Reserve, tropical low montane moist forests, ca. 1084m, ..., 9 April 2015, Chao-Yun Hao 2015028 (holotype HITBC!; isotype HITBC!).
Piper semi-transparens is morphologically similar to Piper bonii and P. bonii var. macrophyllum, but it is distinguished by glabrous leaf blades, stems that are densely short and unbranched pubescent when young and glabrous when mature, leaves with 5(–7) veins, stamens 2, stigmas 3 or rarely 4, and spikes white when mature; floral bracts glabrous; pericarp white and semi-transparent.
Etymology:— The epithet refers to the semi-transparent pericarp, which is unique in Chinese Piper species.
Distribution and habitat:— Piper semi-transparens is currently known from Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi
Provinces of China. It occurs in wet subtropical and tropical montane forest at elevations of 500–900 m, and often climbs
on trees or rocks close to streams. In its distribution area, other Piper species such as P. hancei and P. austrosinense are
often associated.
Chao-Yun Hao, Bao-Duo Wu, Xiao-Wei Qin, Gang Wu, Hai-Yan Deng and Yun-Hong Tan. 2020. Morphological and Molecular Evidence for A New Species from China: Piper semi-transparens (Piperaceae). Phytotaxa. 429(3); 191–199. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.429.3.1
