Thursday, September 15, 2022

[Botany • 2022] Hodgsonia tsaii (Cucurbitaceae) • A New Species from Xizang, China

 

Hodgsonia tsaii J.Y.Shen, X.D.Ma, W.G.Wang & B.Pan bis,  

in Shen, Ma, Wang & Pan, 2022.
蔡氏油瓜   ||   taiwania.ntu.edu.tw

Abstract
Hodgsonia tsaii (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Motuo, Xizang, China, is described. It is compared with H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita, and differs from the two species by the entire or 3-lobed leaf, bigger and longer calyx lobes, 5-carpellate and 10-ovuled ovary, 5-lobed stigma, pepo with 20 deep grooves which are separated by 10 tall and 10 dwarf ribs. A comprehensive morphological description of H. tsaii, together with photographs, a conservation assessment, and a diagnostic key to 3 Hodgsonia species from Asia are provided. Distribution information of Hodgsonia is updated, and all the three species occur in China.

Keyword: China, Cucurbitaceae, Hodgsonia macrocarpa, H. heteroclita, Hse-Tao Tsai, new species, Xi-Tao Cai, Xizang

  

Hodgsonia tsaii J.Y.Shen, X.D.Ma, W.G.Wang & B.Pan bis,  
A. Plant bearing one young fruit. B. Plant with male inflorescence. C. Bud of a female flower. D. Female flower in bloom. E. Lateral view of male inflorescence. F. Back view of male flower G. Ovary cross section. H. Top view of the fruit. I. Cross section of the fruit showing ten seeds. J. Seed. K.Cross section of seed. L. Back view of calyx. M. Top view of stamens. N. Lateral view of the stigma.
(Photos taken by Jian-Yong Shen on 5 June 2022 in type locality)


   

Hodgsonia tsaii J.Y.Shen, X.D.Ma, W.G.Wang & B.Pan bis, sp. nov. 
蔡氏油瓜 

 Type: CHINA. Xizang, Motuo County, Beibeng town, along roadside, at the edge of forest, climbing on the trees, 95°11′02.01″E, 29°14′17.53″N, alt. 1415 m, 5 June 2022, J. Y. Shen, W. G. Wang & X. D. Ma 2701 (holotype: HITBC; isotype: HITBC, HIB). 

Diagnosis: Hodgsonia tsaii can be distinguished from its congeners, H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita, by several morphological features (Figs.1 & S1, Table 1), H. tsaii has 10–20 mm long calyx lobes (vs. 2–4 mm long calyx lobes in H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita), pericarp with 20 grooves, separated by 10 tall ribs and 10 dwarf ribs (vs. smooth in H. macrocarpa and shallowly 10–12 grooved in H. heteroclita), ovary with 5 carpels (vs. 3 carpels in H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita) and 10 separate ovules (vs. 12 ovules, parietal with pairs of ovules attached on each side of carpel in H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita), and 5-lobed stigma (vs. 3-lobed stigma in H. macrocarpa and H. heteroclita).

Etymology: The epithet is in honor of Prof. Xi-Tao Cai (or Hse-Tao Tsai (蔡希陶), 1911–1981), who founded Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in 1950s, and carried out botanical research of Hodgsonia in early 1960s.



Jian-Yong Shen, Xing-Da Ma, Wen-Guang Wang and Bo Pan. 2022. Hodgsonia tsaii (Cucurbitaceae), A New Species from Xizang, China. Taiwania. 67(4); 465-468. taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1864