[Botany • 2022] Aster quanzhouensis (Asteraceae) • A New Riparian Species from eastern China

 Aster quanzhouensis M.Tang, G.J.Yan & W.P.Li, 

 in Xiao, Yan, Li & Tang, 2022. 

泉州紫菀  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.195.82411

Abstract

Aster quanzhouensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from Fujian, eastern China, is described and illustrated. It grows on rocks in the riparian zone. Morphological, cytological and molecular investigations of A. quanzhouensis were carried out. The morphological data and phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, ETS and trnL-F dataset suggest that A. quanzhouensis is a separate species closely related to A. tonglingensis. The new species differs from the latter by the shorter stem length, leaf morphology, colour of phyllaries, number of ray florets, and achene shape. The cytological observation shows that the new species is diploid with a karyotype of 2n = 18.

Keywords: Asteraceae, Aster quanzhouensis, new species, taxonomy

 Aster quanzhouensis M.Tang, G.J.Yan & W.P.Li, sp. nov. 
A habitat B habit C seedling D steam E rosulate leaves F top view of the capitulum G a disk floret (left) and a ray floret (right) H style branches of a disk floret I receptacle J fruits K dorsal view of a capitulum L phyllaries (from outer to inner, left to right).

 Aster quanzhouensis M.Tang, G.J.Yan & W.P.Li, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Aster quanzhouensis differs from A. tonglingensis by its stems only 21–30 (60) cm (vs. 70–100 cm) long, narrowly lanceolate (vs. lanceolate) rosulate leaves, purplish-red (vs. green) apices of the phyllaries, 9–20 (40) (vs. more than 30) capitula, 7–11 (vs. ca. 15) ray florets, 11–14 × ca. 2 mm (vs. 7–10 × ca. 2 mm) lamina, two-or three-ribbed (vs. 4-ribbed) achenes and flowering period (Sep to early Dec vs. Jul) (Figs 2, 3, Table 1).

Etymology: The species is named after its type locality, Quanzhou city, Fujian province, China.

Vernacular name: quán zhōu zĭ wăn (Chinese pronunciation); 

泉州紫菀 (Chinese name).

Distribution and habitat: Aster quanzhouensis is known from Dehua and Yongchun counties, Quanzhou city, Fujian province, China. The new species grows on rocks in riparian habitats at an altitude of ca. 500 m a.s.l.

 Jia-Wei Xiao, Guo-Jiao Yan, Wei-Ping Li and Ming Tang. 2022. Aster quanzhouensis (Asteraceae), A New Riparian Species from eastern China. PhytoKeys. 195: 93-106. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.195.82411