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| Lespedeza danxiaensis Q. Fan, W.Y. Zhao & K.W. Jiang, in Zhao, Jiang, Chen, Tian & Fan, 2021. |
Abstract
Lespedeza danxiaensis (Fabaceae), a new species from Danxiashan National Nature Reserve in Guangdong Province, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Lespedeza pilosa, but it can be easily distinguished by its thin leathery leaflets and long peduncles. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS confirmed that the new species belongs to Lespedeza subg. Macrolespedeza. The new species is the first known species of Lespedeza endemic to Danxia landform and is currently only known from Mount Danxia, Guangdong.
Keywords: Danxia landform, Guangdong, Leguminosae, new species, taxonomy
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| Lespedeza danxiaensis Q. Fan, W.Y. Zhao & K.W. Jiang and L. pilosa (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. L. danxiaensis (A–J) A habit, bushwood on the mountaintop of Danxia landform B plant, stems procumbent C adaxial view of leaf, surface green, leather D abaxial view of one leaflet, surface greyish-green with densely pubescent E flowering branchlet with flower bud, stipule triangular-lanceolate, apex acute F front view of flower G lateral view of flower, bracteoles long ovate, sepals narrowly lanceolate H fruiting branchlet, show the long peduncles I fruit, densely pubescent, stamens persistent J flowering branchlet, peduncles usually longer than 1 cm, flower pink to pale purple, young branch reddish brown L. pilosa (K–L) K branchlet with unripe fruit, leaf papery L flowering branchlet, peduncles short, flower white, young branch green. (Photographs: A-J by Qiang Fan K–L by Kai-Wen Jiang). |
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| Lespedeza danxiaensis Q. Fan, W.Y. Zhao & K.W. Jiang A upper portion of plant B lower portion of plant C chasmogamous flower D cleistogamous flower E staminal tube F pistil G standard H wing-petal I keel-petal J chasmogamous fruit K abaxial view of calyx, flattened L bracts M bracteoles. (Drawn by Rong-En Wu). |
Lespedeza danxiaensis Q. Fan, W.Y. Zhao & K.W. Jiang, sp. nov.
丹霞铁马鞭
Diagnosis: L. danxiaensis is most similar to L. pilosa morphologically both being densely villous throughout, and having procumbent stems with ovate to obovate leaflets, but differs from the latter by its leathery leaflets with obviously concave veins (vs. leaflets papery, veins slightly concave), pink to pale purple corolla (vs. corolla yellowish-white to white, with purple spots at base of the standard) and longer peduncles of chasmogamous flowers (1.1–2.8 cm vs. peduncles of chasmogamous flowers rather short, 0.5–1.0 mm in L. pilosa).
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Mount Danxia, the locality of the type collection. The Chinese name of the new species is here given as 丹霞铁马鞭 (Dān xiá tiě mǎ biān), in which “丹霞” is the Chinese name for Mount Danxia, as well as “铁马鞭” being the common name for Lespedeza pilosa and its allies.
Distribution, ecology and habitat: Lespedeza danxiaensis is currently known only from a few populations on Mount Danxia in Renhua County, Guangdong Province of China. It was observed to occur in bushwood on the mountaintop of Danxia landform at elevations between 270 and 310 m; plants in association included Osteomeles subrotunda K. Koch, Abelia chinensis R. Br., Lagerstroemia indica L., Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring etc.
